Beyond Baby Blues

Sleep is absolutely vital for the body and brain to function properly, but sleep disruption is almost universal in the perinatal period. This can have a huge impact on parenting and on mental health.  In this episode we talk to Dr Chiara Petrosellini about the complicated relationship between sleep and perinatal mental health. Tune in to hear about the science of sleep, the specific challenges in the perinatal period, and evidence-based strategies for improving sleep during this crucial time.  Recommended resources: * The Sleep Foundation [https://www.sleepfoundation.org/] * BMJ visual summary on optimising sleep for night shifts [https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2018/03/01/bmj.j5637.DC1/night_shift_sleep_v24_web.pdf] * Maternal sleeping problems before and after childbirth [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10918694/]: a systematic review (open access paper) Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms] If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/] will help you to find support in your local area.

“Is it a boy or a girl!?”  Some parents experience sadness, distress, and feelings of shame when their baby’s gender does not match their preferences and expectations. In this episode, Lynsey and Chrissy discuss the individual, social, and cultural aspects of gender preference and gender disappointment.  If you would like to learn more about this topic, you can read Chrissy’s open-access paper here: ‘It's a girl!’ Is gender disappointment a mental health or sociocultural issue? | BJPsych Bulletin [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/its-a-girl-is-gender-disappointment-a-mental-health-or-sociocultural-issue/6C94244174A6908EB13E8864BDFC9009] Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms] If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/] will help you to find support in your local area.

Perinatal depression is one of the most common illnesses to affect people during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Its effects can be devastating and, if left untreated, it can have a huge impact on women and their families.  In this episode we are joined by Leanne Howlett to talk about her experience of perinatal depression, and her incredible work as a nurse in a perinatal mental health service.  If you would like more information about the issues discussed in this episode, here are some useful resources: * Tommy’s: depression in pregnancy [https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/depression-pregnancy] * RCPsych: postnatal depression - info for patients [https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/post-natal-depression] * RCPsych: postnatal depression - info for family and carers [https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-information-for-carers] * Mind: coping with suicidal thoughts [https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/helping-yourself-now/] * PANDAS: PND awareness and support [https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/] Content advisory: this episode contains content that might be distressing to some listeners, including content about self harm and suicide.  Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms] If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/] will help you to find support in your local area.

Donald Winnicott was a paediatrician and psychoanalyst whose work had a profound influence on our understanding of psychological development. In today’s episode, Lynsey and Chrissy discuss Winnicott’s concept of the good enough mother and the importance of parent-infant relationships for healthy psychological development. If you would like to learn more about Winnicott’s work, we wholeheartedly recommend reading some of his original work: The Child, the Family, and the Outside World  is a great place to start.  Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms] If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/] will help you to find support in your local area.

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can start very suddenly in the days or weeks after having a baby. It can happen to anyone and often occurs completely out of the blue. In this episode we are joined by Sally Wilson from Action on Postpartum Psychosis to talk about her experience of postpartum psychosis and the work that she is doing with APP to support and advocate for women and families who have been affected by this serious but treatable condition. If you would like to learn more about this topic, you can follow APP on twitter @ActionOnPP and check out the resources on their website [https://www.app-network.org/].  Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms] If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/] will help you to find support in your local area.