Ep 066 - Missing the Mark: Postpartum Depression in Ambitious Women

Welcome back to another episode of Redefining Motherhood! Today I want to have an important discussion about postpartum depression (PPD) in ambitious women. As many of you know, I've shared my own personal experience with postpartum depression and anxiety in the past. While I always considered myself an optimistic and happy person, I struggled immensely in the months following childbirth.

Recently, I spoke to a fellow ambitious mother about her story of postpartum depression. So many parts of her experience resonated with me, and it got me thinking about how we often miss the mark in discussing PPD among driven, goal-oriented women. The statistics and risk factors outlined by organizations like the CDC don't fully capture what ambitious mothers go through as we try to balance new motherhood with our careers, goals, and high standards.  

In this episode, I dive deeper into my own postpartum journey, from not recognizing the signs of depression at first, to the challenges of seeking help. I also discuss the lack of support for working mothers transitioning back to their careers postpartum. It's time we had a long overdue update to pregnancy and postpartum guidelines, resources, and education. Most importantly, I want to emphasize that postpartum depression can affect any woman, no matter how happy or optimistic she seems. So don't hesitate to check in on others, and trust your own instincts if something feels off.  

I hope that by sharing more stories like this, we can help reduce the stigma and raise awareness of this very real issue that impacts many mothers. Please feel free to reach out if you need someone to talk to. You don't have to suffer in silence.

 

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IG: @amandacahill_

Visit: www.amandacahill.com

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