Trish goes deep into a rarely discussed but incredibly common postpartum symptom: rage. We're not talking about everyday irritability - this is intense, explosive anger that can feel overwhelming and out of control. If you've ever snapped at your partner over something trivial, slammed doors, or felt fury bubbling up when the baby cries, you're not alone, and you're certainly not a bad mom. Trish, a labor nurse with over 16 years of experience and mom of seven, shares insights on what postpartum rage really is, its potential causes, practical strategies for managing it in the moment, and long-term steps to seek help. Tune in to feel less isolated and more empowered on your postpartum journey.

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Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Postpartum Rage: It's not just anger - it's a sudden, disproportionate fury that can manifest as yelling, slamming things, or feeling out of control. Trish reassures listeners that this is often a symptom of perinatal mood disorders, not a reflection of your character as a mom.
2. Common Causes: Hormonal shifts post-birth, chronic sleep deprivation, constant overstimulation from being needed and touched, lack of support, and underlying anxiety or depression can all contribute. Your body is in survival mode, and rage is its way of protecting you.
3. Immediate Coping Strategies:
4. Acknowledge it out loud: "I'm feeling rage right now - this is a symptom, not who I am."
5. Step away safely: Place baby in a crib and take a break.
6. Regulate your body: Chug ice water, splash cold water on your face, do jumping jacks (if recovery allows), scream into a pillow, or try box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 6).
7. Long-Term Solutions:
8. Get screened for perinatal mood disorders by your OB or midwife.
9. Prioritize sleep, even in short stretches.
10. Reduce overstimulation: Limit visitors, silence notifications, and carve out quiet time.
11. Meet basic needs: Eat regularly, stay hydrated, and move your body.
12. Seek therapy, ideally from a perinatal mental health specialist.
13. Communicate with loved ones: Use specific scripts like, "I need you to take the baby for 30 minutes" or "I need you to listen without trying to fix it."

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:58 Understanding Postpartum Rage
2. 01:25 Causes of Postpartum Rage
3. 02:07 Immediate Coping Strategies

In today’s episode, Trish shares her very first birth story - the birth of her son, Ian, when she was just 17. She’s diving into the naive teenage years, her surprise pregnancy, and the incredible experience of giving birth that laid the foundation for her career as a labor and delivery nurse and sparked her passion for birth advocacy.

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Trish takes you through the details, from finding out she was pregnant, to the struggles and joy of pregnancy, to Ian's dramatic birth. This unscripted, heartfelt retelling is a journey back in time and an insight into why Trish does what she does today at Labor Nurse Mama - with a special shout out to HER labor and delivery nurse that made a huge difference in her birth experience. This episode is a raw, honest look at her early days of motherhood and the pivotal moments that drove her mission to change the birth culture, one birth at a time.

More from this episode:

Does the Midwives Brew Recipe Induce Labor at Home? Read our Top Insider Tips

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 01:15 Early Pregnancy and Family Reactions
2. 03:44 Pregnancy Challenges and Castor Oil Experiment
3. 07:13 Labor and Delivery Experience
4. 11:32 Reflections and Advocacy
5. 12:46 Conclusion and Call to Action

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👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

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Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast Services

In this episode of Postpartum Unpacked, Trish gets into the realities of postpartum recovery, with a focus on healing for vaginal births. Trish shares practical tips, emotional insights, and encouragement for new parents navigating the early weeks after delivery. Originally recorded as an Instagram Live, this episode emphasizes preparation, self-care, and setting boundaries to make your healing journey smoother. Whether you're expecting soon or already in the thick of postpartum, Trish reminds you that it's okay to ask for help, feel your emotions, and prioritize rest over perfection.

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What’s Inside this episode:

1. Tips for managing physical changes like bleeding & swelling
2. Permission to feel your emotions
3. What to expect for bleeding (Lochia)
4. Bodily changes and fluid shifts
5. The importance of rest and self-care
6. Tools for healing: ice packs and padsicles
7. Perineal care essentials
8. Setting boundaries with visitors
9. Emotional realities of new parenthood

More from this episode:

Checkout Labor Nurse Mama’s Postpartum Recovery Essentials Amazon List

Helpful Timestamps:

1. 00:42 Postpartum Preparation
2. 01:14 Encouragement and Support for New Moms
3. 04:52 Understanding Postpartum Bleeding
4. 10:43 Managing Postpartum Discomfort
5. 16:25 Setting Boundaries and Handling Visitors
6. 20:04 Emotional Challenges and Seeking Help
7. 22:02 Essential Resources and Final Tips

Join the #1 Birth Course for Confident Birth!

Over 15,000 women have used our classes to prepare for birth with the knowledge and tools provided by a Labor Nurse.

💻 Self-paced and lifetime access

👩🏻‍⚕️ Perfect for all births- hospital, birth center, or home!

🎧 Includes birth meditations and prayers.

🌍 Women all over the world have loved our classes.

✅ Start now

Join The Birthpod ™ course

Join The Calm Labor Confident Birth Course

Connect w/ Trish: