The mental load of motherhood can lead to constant decision fatigue and a never-ending mental to-do list.  One incredibly helpful strategy to combat this mental gymnastics is to harness the brain power of habit formation!   Habits are also beneficial for our little ones, helping to promote security and confidence and reduce overstimulaiton. In this episode, Jen will discuss: - how habits can create lasting routines... - how habits help reduce the mental load of motherhood... - how habits...

The mental load of motherhood can lead to constant decision fatigue and a never-ending mental to-do list.  One incredibly helpful strategy to combat this mental gymnastics is to harness the brain power of habit formation!   Habits are also beneficial for our little ones, helping to promote security and confidence and reduce overstimulaiton.  In this episode, Jen will discuss: - how habits can create lasting routines... - how habits help reduce the mental load of motherhood... - how habits...

It has to be said though. It's getting out of hand! Moms who are in thralls of postpartum and the chaos of overwhelm are scrolling searching for real advice… social media has been such a valuable way for more experts to reach more people, but there are a lot of others misusing it and looking to sell *garbage* In this episode of the Bloom After Baby podcast, Jen delves into the misconceptions surrounding nervous system regulation and its correlation with stress and anxiety. She addresses the...

On gratitude, friendship, & hard conversations.  Plus, why we all need to be here. Keep in touch with Rachel + learn more about her California-based group therapy practice and how you can work with her at www.racheldaggettlmft.com [https://racheldaggettlmft.com/]or on instagram @rachelscouch  [https://www.instagram.com/rachelscouch/] Stick around with Dr. Jen at Bloom After Baby for all things maternal mental health: Instagram  @bloomafterbaby...

One of the most distressing parts of new motherhood can be feeling forced to go back to work before you're ready.  Figuring out who is going to care for your newborn baby, how and where to pump at work, trying to function while in the throes of sleep deprivation and a rattling identity shift, and managing your own postpartum physical and mental health are all extremely overwhelming, and quite frankly, unrealistic. That's why we wanted to talk to Akiko Thayer, a Parental Leave Expert and...

This week on the @bloomafterbaby podcast we're talking about the gender-based division of labor at home with Zach Watson.  Zach is the creator of the wildly popular social media account @realzachthinkshare where he talks about things like invisible labor, the mental and emotional load, decision fatigue and equitable partnering, sharing annecdotes and examples that help make these concepts totally relatable. In this episode we'll discuss: * Exploring invisible labor and mental/emotional...

Founder of Conscious Mommy, Bryana Kappadakunnel, LMFT, joins us today, speaking with pure passion about what it means to parent with consciousness, and what it means to "Parent Yourself First" ----- her new book releasing SOON!  You can connect with Bryana on instagram @consciousmommy [https://www.instagram.com/consciousmommy/?hl=en]and her website www.consciousmommy.com [https://www.consciousmommy.com/], where she hosts an online community of new parents striving to be the calm, confident,...

This week on the @bloomafterbaby podcast we're joined by fellow podcast host Laila from the wildly popular @learningtomom.podcast.  Laila shares with us her personal journey through a difficult pregnancy and challenges with prenatal depression, motivating her to create a pregnancy and birth-focused podcast as a way to educate and inspire women who may be struggling in pregnancy themselves. In this episode we'll discuss: * Symptoms of Depression in Pregnancy * Risk Factors and the...

We are chatting with Leora Robles, BS, IBCLC, about breastfeeding, the magic of breastmilk, and the importance of lactation support in postpartum (ideally, within the first couple of weeks following birth). Leora supported Rachel through both of her breastfeeding journeys with her two babies, and can personally attest to the importance of working with an IBCLC for increased chances of a healthy, sustainable feeding journey, as well as optimal health and wellness for both mama and...

This week we're joined by Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum Ph.D,  a neuroscientist doula, infant sleep specialist and author of The Nurture Revolution. Dr. Kirshenbaum is one of the leading voices  in nurtured parenting. In our discussion we dive deeper into the benefits of nurtured parenting and how it relates to maternal mental health as well.   We discuss how a nurturing approach is a preventative medicine against mental health issues, helping to build a brain and nervous system more resilient to...

 Do Our Food Choices Really Impact Our Mental Health?  We have the delight this week of learning from Diana Burge, Registered Dietitian, a highly recognized and respected expert in sports nutrition, diabetes, disordered eating, and womens hormonal health. Diana has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to food science, mental health, and what our bodies are going through during pregnancy and postpartum.  In this episode, Diana schools us on the real science behind the changes during...

Celynna Harnetiaux, LMFT, generously shares her experience of navigating mental health changes in pregnancy, and how she surrendered and relinquished control in the pregnancy & birth-preparation process. You'll also get some 🔥 hot tips for medication and non-medication ADHD & mental health management ✨ 𝑾𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅: ❥What impedes on your ability to ask for for and accept...

Class is in session! Don't worry, we'll keep it brief,  and there are no rules in Dr. Jen's class. Come as you are, bring your snacks, and leave if you want to. We all talk about hormones and "mom brain" like we're experts. But today, we're actually going to hear from an expert, our very own Dr. Jen Jordan, MD.  In this episode you'll learn: 1. What hormones are, and why it's important that you understand them and their physical processes in your body. 2. What role key hormones play in...

Today, we talk tears, fears, and hard truths. SO much of the growth in motherhood is about getting comfortable being uncomfortable, being unsure, and sometimes being downright 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐅 with no answers in sight. Rachel Quigley [https://www.instagram.com/rachelmquigley/?hl=en]shares difficulties in her postpartum experience, how her partner advocated for her, where she has found support, and how she is now navigating the very difficult question "do I want to have another baby?" The...

So… What Do Doulas Do?  Explaining the Expansive Role of A Doula (AKA Your Birth Tour Guide) On this week's episode, Jen sits down with Jayde Wilkinson - Jayde is a Doula, Birth Educator, Doula Mentor, and  founded her own doula agency called Birthwise located in northern Indiana.  She also hosts a podcast called Birthwise which is geared toward educating other Doulas.  Jayde is a leading voice in the discussion around the role of doulas in filling the gap in maternal care, including...

This week, Rachel and Jen chat about our deeply meaningful episode with Dr. Cassidy Freitas, LMFT.  We continue to discuss how standard maternal health care is not truly informing women about what the all-encompassing transformation to motherhood can look and feel like in a way that empowers them to prepare and anticipate their needs, and make informed decisions about their health. Plus, Rachel shares what it was like recently to step out of her "mom" shoes and getaway for a weekend with...

We can't wait to get this one into your ears!  In this episode, the loving presence that is Dr. Cassidy Freitas takes us through the confusing, disorienting, wonderful, transformative process of becoming a mother.  Besides being one of our long-time role models, Dr. Cassidy Freitas is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was one of the first professionals to begin using social media to disseminate information around maternal mental health.  In this raw and honest conversation, Dr....

The dads are back!  Jen sits down with her husband Eric to hear all about his hindsight 20/20 take on the transition into parenthood.  We discuss what he wishes he'd known before becoming a dad and some of the most challenging emotional and psychological transitions.  We dive into relationship dynamics, the roommate stage (and why it's not what we initially thought it would be), and myths and biases around gender norms. We share lots of our personal experiences, plus some of our biggest...

In this week's episode, Rachel invites you into an intimate conversation she has with her husband and father of two, Sean Daggett. He shares a bit about what he learned from entering fatherhood; specifically what he wishes he had known in order to be better prepared for the vulnerable period of postpartum. This is a good one to share with a new or expecting dad! HUGE gratitude to ALL the men out there who are being change-makers and cycle breakers!! Links and resources mentioned in the...

Join us in the resistance against "Bounce Back Culture" with Amy Quinn, LCSW, as she leads us through a grounding mindfulness exercise and a raw conversation about the body image challenges many women face during pregnancy and postpartum. Amy will help you better understand how you can connect with your true "soul self" and embrace the many changes that your body will experience during this time, and really, through your entire lifespan. You can learn more about Amy's private practice (in...

This week, Jen and Rachel share some strategies for embracing the holiday season with little ones.  They reflect on how the holiday celebrations have changed after babies, and discuss some of the challenges like leveling expectations and rebounding from thwarted plans amidst the chaos of cold and flu season.   Jen also gives an overview of some of the new services that Bloom After Baby plans to launch in the new year, including online courses and small group online classes.  If you enjoyed...

Reclaim your relationship with food, your body, and your SELF in pregnancy and postpartum. Jen and Rachel share some personal stories + professional wisdom for navigating uncomfortable body changes in pregnancy and postpartum.  In this episode we discuss:  - cringy body comments from strangers and providers - societal attitudes about body size and shape, and how that can impact our mental health in pregnancy and postpartum - limitations of pregnancy weight gain guidelines - a quick...

What actually defines a toxic relationship?  Jen and Rachel unpack this widely (over)-used term and provide insights and tips on setting boundaries to protect your well-being as a mom in tricky family relationships, particularly around the busy holiday season!  Links and resources mentioned in the episode: Dr Becky Kennedy's "Good Inside" Approach to Boundary Setting [https://www.goodinside.com/workshop/1792/parental-boundaries/] Free Guide to Protecting your Peace with Boundaries During...

In part 2 of Postpartum Rage, Dr. Jen gets science-y with an explanation of the anatomy of anger and rage, breaking down what's happening in our brain to actually create these unsettling emotions.  We discuss what is unique to the postpartum brain as well as the postpartum environment that can send the anger cycle into overdrive and lead to these unexpected rageful outbursts.  And rest assured,  we'll offer some simple and practical strategies that you can begin implementing NOW to help cope...