Brunch With Mamas

020 - It Takes Two to Tango: Birth Prep & Processing with Special Guest, Bri Ryan

We are joined this week by two super special guests, Bri and her baby girl Raven! We chat about all the things Bri did to prep for Raven’s birth, despite her birth not going to plan. We also chat about having space to grieve the loss of the birth experience you’ve planned for and the validity of feeling MORE than just a feeling of “relief” that baby is healthy. Instead, that it’s ok to feel upset that the experience didn’t unfold the way it was envisioned. Bri tells us how she’s processed this experience and what to say instead of “at least you have a healthy baby”. In this episode, we also discuss the importance of mindset and managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts prenatally and how it can serve you well entering postpartum.

019 - Top 10 Mom Hacks

We list off our top 10 hacks we use to make motherhood a tiny bit easier

018 - The Secret Revealed

We’ve been keeping a secret but in this weeks episode we share the big news! Take a listen and celebrate with us over on Instagram @brunchwithmamas www.Instagram.com/brunchwithmamas

017 - Postpartum Psychosis & Mania: Interview with Anthony Morvillo (Part 4)

The final episode of a multipart series of a new mother’s experience with postpartum mania includes an interview with Candice’s husband, Anthony. Anthony is the first dad we’ve had on the show!! Thank you Anthony for coming on and being so vulnerable sharing your thoughts and emotions as a new dad. In this episode, Anthony starts by sharing his perspective supporting Candice through birth including what he would do differently. He shares what he thought was the coolest part to witness during birth as well as what was most surprising/unexpected. We discuss the nuances of what mainstream media portrays birth and early postpartum to be versus what our own experiences were like. And then Anthony goes on to share his experience while Candice goes through a Postpartum Manic episode 1 week after having Lola. (If you haven’t had a chance to hear Candice’s perspective; she shares it in episodes 013-015). Anthony opens up about his response to the situation and describes the pain and anger he was feeling as well as his fears and uncertainty of the future, questioning himself and his marriage. Anthony describes leaning on his supports including his own mom and church community as he navigated being the sole caretaker of Lola during Candice’s hospital admission. He questions if the hospital actually worsened Candice’s mental state and describes advocating for Candice to be discharged from hospital. We conclude the episode discussing the power of solidarity and hearing Anthony’s favourite part of fatherhood.

016 - Postpartum Psychosis & Mania: Interview with Candice Morvillo (Part 3)

This week Candice shares her hospital admission experience. She discusses her perspective as a nurse being a patient in the hospital she used to work at. Candice continues to share her journey with postpartum mania/psychosis, comparing it to being the main character in a horror movie. In this episode, we also discuss ongoing stigma against mental health, as well as patient advocacy in a flawed medical system. We end the episode emphasizing the importance of sleep, hydration and nutrition in the postpartum period. We can’t thank Candice enough for her vulnerability to share her story with us and help shed light on maternal mental health.