The journey into parenthood looks different for all of us, but getting the right help can transform our experiences.

This week, Annie Belasco speaks with Rachel — a mum of two whose journey through perinatal mental illness, baby loss and PTSD ultimately became a powerful story of recovery. From the moment her mental health spiralled after a traumatic birth, to the heartbreak of losing a much-wanted pregnancy, Rachel opens up about how she found her way back with the right support, compassionate care and transformative therapy.

Rachel shares the reality of intrusive thoughts, the loneliness of grief, and the fear of facing pregnancy again — but also the turning points: reaching out for help, discovering EMDR therapy, reconnecting with her baby, and finally welcoming her son with joy and confidence.

Rachel’s story is honest and hopeful — a reminder that recovery is possible, support is out there, and no parent should face these feelings alone.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the PANDAS Foundation Podcast, Charlotte Howden, CEO of Pregnancy Sickness Support, shares her personal journey through hyperemesis gravidarum (HG): a severe and often misunderstood condition causing extreme sickness during pregnancy.

Charlotte tells us about her own harrowing experience with HG, the struggle to be taken seriously by healthcare professionals, and how her journey led her to dedicate her career to helping others facing the same battle. Sally and Charlotte discuss the vital link between HG and perinatal mental health, the groundbreaking research that’s finally shedding light on the causes of HG, and the life-saving work her charity is doing to support sufferers and their families.

They also touch on the stigma and misinformation surrounding pregnancy sickness, the devastating impact of being dismissed by medical professionals, and the importance of early intervention and compassionate care.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Emma Hilling is a dedicated PANDAS volunteer and mum of two enjoying the chaos of birthday parties and toddler milestones. But when her second child was born she experienced severe postnatal anxiety.

She speaks to Sally Bunkham about her experiences of perinatal anxiety, insomnia and recovery through the support of a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU).

Emma talks about the terrifying physical symptoms that first masked her anxiety, the loneliness of sleepless nights, and the moment she realised she needed urgent help. She takes us through her time in an MBU — the fear, the kindness, the friendships - and ultimately the hope that came from the support she found there.

Now thriving and giving back as a volunteer for PANDAS, Emma reflects on how far she’s come and offers wisdom for any parent feeling lost, anxious, or scared to reach out for help.

Trigger Warning: This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Caroline Boyd, a specialist in maternal anxiety and anger returns to the PANDAS Foundation Podcast to raise one of the most common and least openly-discussed aspects of the perinatal experience: unwanted intrusive thoughts.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts fly in the face of societal norms and can leave us feeling horrified, distressed and ashamed. So how are they a useful part of our mind’s natural coping mechanism and how can we learn to accept and manage them?

Whether they’re images or words, these kinds of thoughts are more likely to occur when we’re feeling stressed and are our mind’s way of helping us be more vigilant to threat, so it’s no wonder they’re a common aspect of parenthood.

But that doesn’t make it any less upsetting when they arise. But recognising that these thoughts are outside of your usual thinking is key.

So does having these kinds of unwanted images or thoughts mean that you pose a risk to your baby? Actually, the latest findings suggest that the more horrified you are by your thoughts, the less likely you are to act on them.

Caroline explores the spectrum of obsessive, compulsive thoughts that include unwanted intrusive thoughts and their relationship to trauma. She also shares her advice on how to interpret and respond to them when they arise.

If unwanted intrusive thoughts are interfering with daily life, help is available and this is very treatable. Reach out your GP, to PANDAS and speak with supportive friends and loved ones to start your recovery.

You can reach Caroline at drcarolineboyd.com or via Instagram @_drboyd.

Caroline offers anger courses for mothers: https://dr-caroline-boyd.mykajabi.com/maternal-rage-sign-up

Unwanted intrusive thoughts are distinct from the unwanted thoughts associated with postpartum psychosis. Signs of postpartum psychosis can include mania, delusions and hallucinations and you can find more information about this here.

It’s important to seek help immediately if you are making plans to hurt yourself or your baby. Call 999 or visit your local A&E.

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication. https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren didn’t think she was mentally ill. But she had planned to end her life, feeling like a failure and burden upon her family. She was suffering from severe postnatal depression after the birth of her daughter and a challenging pregnancy, but fortunately her family and the health services intervened in time. The date she had chosen came and went, and day by day she learned how to manage parenthood as she healed. She returned to work and fell in love with her daughter.

In this powerful episode, PANDAS staff member Lauren shares her experience of being victim to the cruellest form of mental illness as well as her escape to recovery. She turned her challenging experiences into positivity at PANDAS by working towards the recovery of every parent, deepening her relationships and experiencing a love for her family she never thought she would see.

It is possible to return from rock bottom and we hope Lauren’s story will inspire you.

If like Lauren you have questions about use of medicines in pregnancy, speak with your GP and look at the BUMPs website.

https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org

Find out more about PANDAS support groups on this link:

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/how-we-can-support-you/support-groups/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faye is one of PANDAS incredible volunteers, and her connection to the charity is personal.

After months of research, big decisions, uncertainty and longing, Faye and Jane finally became parents to their son through IVF. This was the beginning of their adventure into parenthood, but the strain of hormone treatments, endless scans and a global pandemic had meant the conception and pregnancy journey had been a strain on Faye’s mental health. Jane on the other hand, was facing her own journey of returning to work soon after maternity leave and forging a bond with her baby as his non-biological mum. Add to this the cultural and social experience of being a two-mum family in a home counties town and they had more than their fair share of challenges to face.

Hear how Faye and Jane overcame perinatal anxiety and mental health struggles to forge a stronger relationship with each other, their support networks and their beautiful son. They share their insights into conception, birth and beyond.

You can follow Faye on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mummyandothermummy/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Dr Krystal Wilkinson is an advocate for change in the workplace after her own experiences of perinatal mental health opened her eyes to the value of supporting employees and employers for a positive transition.

Krystal shares her experiences of depression and how a supportive work environment helped her build back her confidence and recover. This inspired her work focussing on women’s reproductive and mental health in the workplace. She tells us about the report she received and the benchmarks of standards all employers should be setting for their teams.

She also discusses the misconceptions around Keeping in Touch or ‘KIT’ days and shares her thoughts on planning a successful return to work after parental leave.

You can find download PANDAS HR toolkit here:

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/hr-toolkit/

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A semi-professional footballer, café owner and the actor you’ll know from Corrie and House of the Dragon – @theJamie Kenna is no stranger to huge achievements, but finding his feet as a dad was his biggest challenge yet.

Jamie opens up to Sally about the struggle of being a ‘blokey bloke’, unaware of how to reach out and find help as he faced up to his mental health struggle as a parent.

He shares how what he learned has helped him forge stronger relationships, manage the pressures of daily life and champion men’s mental health today.

They discuss anxiety and panic attacks as well as the stigmas, challenges and strains that parenting can have on a man's mental health and how talking can be the first step in recovery.

You can find the PANDAS Dad’s Closed Facebook Group here

This podcast series may and will include, from time to time, themes of the entire spectrum of mental illness. Themes may include suicide, baby loss, self -harm, domestic violence and upsetting topics. If you urgently need help, if you're in mental health crisis, please call the Samaritans on 116 123. Or the emergency services via 111 or 999.

Please note, you should always follow your GP or health practitioner's guidance for anything medically associated from conception onwards. The PANDAS Foundation does not advise on any medication.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk

Contact PANDAS WhatsApp for support on 07903 508334 every day between 8am - 10pm

Samaritans 116 123

US: Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4773

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.