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Motherhood can be beautiful, but it can also be brutal—especially when it comes to mental health.

In this episode of Odd Moms On Call, our panel of mothers and mental health professionals has an unfiltered conversation about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), birth trauma, and the systemic failures that leave mothers struggling.

We share personal experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety, discuss the stigma surrounding medication and mental health care, and explore the critical role of community support in healing. Plus, we take on the impact of censorship in mental health conversations and why we need to advocate for real, accessible resources.

If you've ever felt unseen or silenced in your postpartum journey, this one's for you.

Takeaways

• One in five birthing people experience PMADs.
• PMADs can occur anytime during pregnancy and postpartum.
• Birth trauma can significantly impact mental health.
• Community support is crucial for mothers experiencing PMADs.
• It's important to recognize and validate feelings of birth trauma.
• Many mothers suffer in silence due to stigma.
• Access to mental health care is critical for new parents.
• Miscarriage can lead to complex emotional responses.
• The pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges for mothers.
• Advocating for oneself is key to receiving help. We're the worst, I think we're the worst of all developed nations.
• We don't really talk about the stuff that happens postpartum.
• Medication isn't for everyone, obviously.
• Therapy is a privilege.
• You are worthy of help.
• Community is so immensely supportive.
• No shame in the med game.
• We need to find some pocket friends.
• You deserve support.
• We don't support mental health as we should in this country.

Sound Bites

"One in five birthing people experience PMADs."

"We need to talk about postpartum psychosis more."

"It's okay to not be okay."

"Motherhood is hard, and that's okay."

"It's common, but not normal."

"We are the lucky ones who got help."

"Therapy is a privilege."

"Community is so immensely supportive."

"Medication isn't for everyone, obviously."

"No shame in the med game."

"We need to find some pocket friends."

"You deserve support."

"You are worthy of help."

Got a hot take you want to share?

Send us a message, or email us at Oddmomsoncall@gmail.com. We might just talk about it on the show!

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