Ready for a soothing and eye-opening therapy session? Today's guest is therapist and parental mental health expert Ashley Hanna-Morgan. She tells us her TWO BIRTH STORIES (one with an epidural and one without any pain meds!). And she also shares her own experience with miscarriage, what she learned as a result of her own perinatal mental health struggles and how it changed the trajectory of her career and life.

In this episode Ashley dishes out some truly encouraging and helpful words of advice for all new parents everywhere.

Some topics we discuss include:

Finding a "mom-tribe" and better yet creating a wonderful support group. How to understand and honor ALL of your feelings, no matter what they are. What it's like to navigate ambivalent feelings and intrusive thoughts. Why people tend to grieve privately when they experience miscarriage and loss. Why being a "perfect mother" is a myth. The realities of parenting a toddler and a newborn at the same time. Some reasons your sex drive might take a dive in the postpartum period and why every new mom needs an artistic outlet in their postpartum journey. PLUS in this episode a "Fun Fact" allllll about what you need to know about how Pitocin works and how it's different from Oxytocin.

Ashley Hanna-Morgan's Website:

http://ashleyhannamorgan.com

Ashley's Books:

The Afterglow Support Group Curriculum

I Gave Birth to My Heart: A Collection of Poems about Motherhood, Reimagined

Follow Ashley on Instagram

Resources for Topics Discussed in Today's Episode:

Information about mer.org">Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex  (D-MER): mer.org">https://d-mer.org

Article about How Pitocin is Different from Oxytocin, it's risk factors and why Pitocin might be medically necessary.

Postpartum Support International Website

ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST:

Ashley Hanna-Morgan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, as well as Grief and Loss. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s in English Literature at UCLA. After attending Baylor University for her Master’s in Social Work, Ashley became more aware of and interested in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety disorders after she and her husband both worked through it personally after the birth of their daughter. In 2016, she wrote the Afterglow Curriculum and started the first free Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy based support group in Los Angeles for parents with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. In 2017, she published a collection of poetry called I Gave Birth to My Heart that she hopes will throw back the curtains and shed some light on what Postpartum Depression and Anxiety actually feel like, as well as, most importantly, what the recovery looked like. She is currently the Postpartum Support International Regional Coordinator for Reno, Nevada, where she now lives with her husband, Jayson, her Shih Tzu, Obi Wan, and her daughters and inspiration, Emerie Violet & Aerelyn Jayne. When Ashley is not advocating for parental mental health, she loves to explore nature, practice yoga, experiment in the kitchen, read with a cup of tea, meditate, and write.

Visit www.birthshow.com for some great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.

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@christywill

If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.

This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

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