The Power of the Postpartum Brain with Dr. Nikki Pensak - Part 1

Working Mom Hour

Postpartum can be a complex time in motherhood, as it is often linked with feelings of depression, anxiety, or similar challenges.
Today, we're privileged to bring back trained clinical psychologist, Dr. Nikki Pensak, to talk about postpartum mental health, and her new book, RATTLED, which dives into how to manage and calm new mom anxiety.
Rather than viewing this developmental phase through a lens of struggle, Dr. Nikki helps us see it as a time ripe with potential. She explains how our brains change during this time, why our feelings might not match up, and why it's so important to take care of ourselves and get professional help when we need it.
For a deeper dive into Dr. Nikki’s book, RATTLED, and her favorite working mom tool, stay tuned for our bonus Part 2 episode coming next week.
What you’ll get out of this episode:
- A better understanding of matrescence, the rapid transformation that causes a mismatch between physiological and psychological adjustments.
- The psychological challenges of becoming a mother, including postpartum OCD and anxiety.
- How high-functioning mothers often mask their struggles, facing perfectionism and unrealistic expectations.
- Why mindful practices and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are effective tools.
- How to manage ‘mom guilt’ when it pops up during much-needed downtime.
0:48 - Understanding matrescence.
4:51 - Challenges in recognizing postpartum mental health needs.
15:28 - The experience of high-functioning mothers.
28:26 - Addressing mom guilt and the importance of leaning into downtime.
32:48 - Understanding intrusive thoughts and anxiety in new parents.
46:42 - Practical ways to support parental leave and mental health.
52:52 - Embracing neuroplasticity and growth during motherhood.
Connect with Dr. Nikki Pensak:
LinkedIn: Nicole Amoyal Pensak PHD
Instagram: @drnikkipensak
Website: https://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com/
Preorder RATTLED here, available April 30, 2024.
Attend her virtual live book launch event with Eve Rodsky on May 8, 2024 @11am EST
Please make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and kindly review the podcast on Apple Podcasts so we can reach more working moms.
We always want to hear your thoughts, concerns, questions or guest suggestions – email [e-mail].
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