In this week's episode, Host Jessi Sletten dives into an often overlooked aspect of new parenthood - the feelings of loss and grief for our former lives. She explores the six common losses new parents face including loss of self, voice and control. These losses parallel those seen in trauma, which birth and postpartum can be. Breaking the silence around this grief is key to normalizing the experience and building resilience. Jessi shares actionable tips for regaining a sense of empowerment amidst the chaos of newborn life, such as naming emotions, prioritizing self-care, and custom postpartum planning. With compassionate support, we can process these identity shifts without losing ourselves.
KEY TOPICS:
Introduction [0:21]
- Jessi introduces herself as a postpartum empowerment coach helping prepare for the transition to parenthood
- Discusses finding calm amidst the chaos of life with a newborn
Losses in Postpartum [5:02]
- Overview of 6 common losses new parents face in postpartum: loss of self, voice, control, time, community, world
- Today's focus: loss of self, voice, control
- These mirror losses seen in trauma; birth/postpartum can be emotionally traumatic
- Breaking the silence around these losses is important to normalize and prepare
Loss of Self [6:51]
- Consumed by newborn care leading to neglect of own needs
- Feeling invisible, just an extension of baby
- Build up of resentment, shame, guilt around loss of freedom
Loss of Voice [12:37]
- Less adult interaction, conversations centered around baby
- Feeling unheard when sharing challenges
- Leads to feeling unable to process trauma
Loss of Control [17:28]
- Chaos of newborn phase, lack of control over sleep, feeding, etc.
- Resentment over loss of autonomy
- Tips for regaining sense of control
Hope & Resiliency [21:47]
- Normalizing losses to process grief and build resilience
- Preparing coping strategies before birth with postpartum planning
- Embracing identity shifts with self-compassion
Tips & Resources [29:08]
- Name/validate feelings of loss
- Prioritize self-care
