Perinatal Mental Health: Overcoming Shame and Seeking Help

Heal Your Roots Podcast

In this episode of Heal Your Roots Podcast, we sit down with therapist Nicole Bolognini, LCSW, PMH-C, owner of Skylands Wellness in New Jersey, to discuss various topics related to perinatal mental health. We start by asking Nicole how she became a therapist and what inspired her to specialize in perinatal mental health. We then delve into the most common issues associated with postpartum depression and what can make a birth experience traumatic for some.

Nicole shares her insights on OCD in new moms and the impact of intergenerational attachment and childhood trauma on perinatal mental health. We also explore how having a child can open up past wounds and the importance of screening women after birth for anxiety and depression.

Additionally, we discuss the complex relationship between postpartum depression and trauma and how to deal with insensitive comments from family and friends. We also touch on breastfeeding and the importance of doing what’s best for the whole family. This episode offers valuable information and practical tips for anyone struggling with postpartum mental health issues.
**Trigger Warning**

Before we get started, we want to issue a trigger warning. Today's episode includes a discussion of postpartum mood issues, which may include thoughts of harming oneself or others, as well as a discussion of miscarriage.

We understand that these topics can be difficult to hear for some listeners, and we want to make sure everyone is aware before continuing. It's important to have open and honest conversations about maternal mental health and pregnancy loss, and we also want to prioritize the well-being of our audience.

If you or someone you know is experiencing postpartum mood issues or has experienced a miscarriage, please know that you're not alone. Help is available, and seeking support is a sign of strength. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), and resources for pregnancy loss support can be found in the show notes.

We encourage our listeners to prioritize their own mental health, and to seek help if needed. Thank you for listening.

Check out the rest of the Heal Your Roots Podcast episodes at our website.
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Rozdziały

1. How did you become a therapist? (00:02:06)

2. How Nicole Bolognini became a therapist (00:02:42)

3. The most common issues associated with postpartum depression. (00:04:58)

4. What makes a traumatic birth experience? (00:10:26)

5. Ocd and Ocd in new moms. (00:14:09)

6. Intergenerational attachment and childhood trauma. (00:20:48)

7. How having a child opens up past wounds. (00:23:44)

8. Screening women after birth for anxiety and depression. (00:26:42)

9. Postpartum depression and trauma. (00:32:15)

10. Dealing with insensitive comments from family and friends. (00:35:15)

11. Breastfeeding is a decision to be made with the whole family in mind (00:42:15)

12. How to decide if breastfeeding is right for you, your baby, and your family (00:44:59)