A podcast to connect Utah women--especially those who are infertile, pregnant, or postpartum--to the local maternal mental health resources available. I interview providers around Utah to help bring therapy tips and coping skills conveniently to your ear-holes.
A podcast to connect Utah women--especially those who are infertile, pregnant, or postpartum--to the local maternal mental health resources available. I interview providers around Utah to help bring therapy tips and coping skills conveniently to your ear-holes.
In this episode of the Sad Moms Club, we talk to certified sex therapist and LCSW Alex Brown. She emphasizes the significance of open communication, assertiveness, and embracing pleasure in sexual relationships. The discussion also covers practical topics like dealing with differences in sexual desire, postpartum challenges, and the importance of prioritizing intimacy. Alex provides valuable insights into tools like sensate focus and educates listeners on breaking negative sexual narratives.
If you'd like to work with Alex, click here for her website and here for her Psychology Today profile.
Books she recommends:
Podcast episodes she recommends:
These are specific Pillow Talks episodes that Alex shares with her clients often:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
In this episode of The Sad Moms Club, we are joined by Des Ferrin, a maternal near miss survivor and birth trauma patient advocate for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Des shares her personal story of postpartum complications and resultant birth trauma. We explore her efforts to bridge the gap between birth trauma and maternal mental health in Utah, including her work with the Utah Women’s Newborn Quality Collaborative. We discuss the importance of a supportive environment for mothers, effective communication in healthcare, and innovative approaches to improving maternal mental health care.
02:47 Desiree's Birth Trauma Story Begins
05:02 Complications After Delivery
08:00 The Hemorrhage and Emergency Response
14:28 Facing a Hysterectomy
32:40 Miraculous Survival and Recovery
34:12 Mental Health Challenges and Seeking Help
40:47 Finding the Right Therapist
46:27 The Importance of Connection and Support
52:57 Advocating for Better Maternal Health Care
01:04:05 Final Thoughts and Hope for the Future
If you have had a traumatic birth while living in Utah, feel free to email Des to discuss setting up a 45 minute interview to share your story and ideas of what would have helped. Her email is dferrin@utah.gov.
If you need help finding a therapist in Utah, go to this website (be sure to filter by your insurance!). Always feel free to reach out and ask for help finding a therapist through my DMs.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Hey y'all! In this episode of the Sad Moms Club I talk to Jennie Houtz, an LCSW specializing in perinatal mental health, sex therapy, trauma, and anxiety. We discuss setting all kinds of postpartum boundaries that can be helpful to set prior to birth. Jennie shares practical tips and a detailed worksheet to help new moms navigate these conversations. They also discuss the significance of self-care and maintaining one's identity after becoming a mother. Listen for helpful advice on how to set empowering boundaries and emotionally support both birthing and non-birthing partners.
00:00: Introduction to Jennie Houtz
00:43 Postpartum Boundaries: A Crucial Conversation
04:00 Navigating Childcare and Career as a Working Mom
05:51 The Mental Load and Resentment in Parenting
13:35 Setting Boundaries: Tips and Strategies
36:28 Health Considerations for Visitors
37:31 Setting Boundaries for Help and Support
39:16 Child and Pet Care Planning
40:25 Personal Space and Privacy
42:20 Handling Parenting Advice
46:12 Social Media Boundaries
49:51 Communication and Sensitive Topics
01:23 Emotional Support and Partner Relationship
01:00:57 Work, Career, and Self-Care
01:08:11 Conclusion and Resources
Resources
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
In this episode of the Sad Moms Club, we talk to Amanda from Measure the Placenta, who shares the emotional story of her daughter Junie, a full-term stillbirth. She shares the details of the pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Since losing Junie, Amanda has become an advocate for various practices that can prevent stillbirth including placental measurement, monitoring fetal movements, and advocating for yourself.
00:00 Introduction to Amanda
03:10 Amanda's Personal Journey and Family
04:16 The Missteps in Junie's Pregnancy Care
12:01 The Day Junie Passed Away
17:26 Coping with Loss and Finding Support
21:32 The Birth and Aftermath
32:08 Reflecting on Grief and Celebration
34:21 Navigating Social Reactions and Support
34:58 The Role of Instagram in Grieving
36:12 The Significance of Orange
39:06 Helpful and Unhelpful Gestures
47:07 The Ongoing Impact of Loss
49:52 Stillbirth Prevention and Advocacy
54:21 The Importance of Measuring the Placenta
59:07 Advocating for Change in Medical Practices
01:06:02 Final Thoughts and Resources
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
In this episode, Dr. Dan Johnson, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy, discusses his journey into this specialized field and the founding of Keystone Physical Therapy located in Kaysville and Millcreek, Utah. Originally driven by personal experiences with pelvic pain and his wife's postpartum challenges, Dan emphasizes the importance of addressing pelvic floor dysfunctions in both men and women. He explains common concerns such as pain, bowel and bladder issues, and intimacy problems, outlining various treatments including manual therapy, dry needling, and radio wave therapy. Dr. Johnson also highlights the need for early intervention and continuous care during pregnancy and postpartum periods, advocating for a more integrated and supportive approach to pelvic health.
If you're interested in working with Dr. Dan Johnson, you can contact him through the website or through texting or calling their business phone number 801-204-9204.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Today we speak with Josie White and Allie McGee from South Valley Services, a nonprofit specializing in domestic violence support. They talk about the prevalence of abuse, different types of abuse, warning signs, and available resources for those in abusive relationships. They emphasize the importance of creating a safety plan and seeking help from local and national hotlines. The episode also provides guidance for friends and family on how to support loved ones experiencing abuse.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Rachel Garret is a licensed foster parent, certified Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Associate Program Director for Trauma Informed Utah, a former high school teacher and Hope Squad Advisor, and a founder and Executive Director of a non-profit. She shares various facets of life, including her journey to becoming a CASA and a foster parent, the challenges and transformations within the foster care system, and Rachel's own journey through motherhood, professional development, and self-discovery.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
This episode features a discussion with care coordinators Carrie Martinez-Wolf and Eric Christensen from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The conversation illuminates the role of care coordinators in connecting Utah families with children, especially those ages zero to eight and those with special needs, to a plethora of resources.
These resources range from developmental supports to basic needs like food and housing, all offered free of charge and accessible to anyone in need, without regard to immigration status or location within Utah. The care coordinators emphasize the importance of making these resources known to families and providers, highlighting their role in facilitating connections to services such as early intervention, home visiting programs, SNAP, and TANF, among others.
The episode aims to spread awareness about the available support and underline the message that families are not alone in addressing their challenges.
If you would like to connect with Care Coordinators, start by contacting them through one of three ways:
Email: Care.coordination@utah.gov
Call their number: 801-273-2804
Fill out this survey.
01:34 Introducing the Care Coordinators: Eric and Carrie's Stories
05:24 The Heart of Care Coordination: Connecting Families to Resources
07:17 Personal Motivations: Why Eric and Carrie Do What They Do
12:24 Exploring the Scope of Care Coordination Services
16:01 Deep Dive into Zero to Eight Care Coordination
21:36 Making Connections: How Families Access Services
22:27 Navigating Support for Children with Special Healthcare Needs
22:40 Understanding Disability Determination and Support Programs
23:51 The Role of Care Coordinators in Simplifying Processes
25:07 Exploring Waiver Programs and Their Benefits
26:28 Assistance Beyond Healthcare: Housing, TANF, and SNAP
28:12 Integrating Support Systems for Families
28:46 Spotlight on the Utah Parent Center
31:53 The Children's Center: Focused Support for Young Children
35:11 Expanding Access to Care Coordination Services
38:56 Closing Thoughts: The Impact of Community Support
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Postpartum doulas offer physical and emotional support after the birth of your baby through the first year postpartum.
Two best friends, McKayla Broadhurst and Tiara Monson, started Bountiful Doulas after learning about the profession during their personal postpartum experiences and realizing they could have used that help.
Bountiful Doulas is comprised of a team of experienced postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists, sleep coaches, and perinatal nutrition experts. They serve families across Utah and are dedicated to helping your transition into early parenthood. They provide personalized day and overnight support in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Summit counties.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
This episode of the Sad Moms Club features a conversation with Brook Archibald, who shares her harrowing journey through birth trauma, miscarriage, postpartum depression, and her struggle with medical professionals to be heard and adequately treated. Brooke's story starts with her first pregnancy, detailing the negligence she faced from healthcare providers, the severe pain and complications during and after delivery, and the psychological aftermath.
Her narrative emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, finding the right healthcare providers, and the transformative power of therapy and support systems. Brooke also discusses how her experiences impacted her subsequent pregnancies and her eventual healing process. Through sharing, she hopes to encourage other women to stand up for their healthcare needs and find solace in the shared experiences of others.
00:00 Welcome to the Sad Moms Club: A Story of Birth Trauma
02:11 Brook's Harrowing Pregnancy and Birth Story
15:54 Postpartum Struggles and Seeking Help
22:03 The Turning Point: Finding a New Doctor and An Unexpected Discovery
25:44 Navigating Health and Legal Challenges
28:06 Finding Strength and Advocacy
30:09 The Journey Through Infertility and Mental Health
36:32 Learning to Cope with Anxiety and PTSD
39:33 Embracing Therapy and Finding Peace
46:01 Sharing Experiences and Supporting Others
47:44 Reflecting on Growth and Self-Advocacy
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
If you’re an anxious person, you’re going to love learning from Morgan Slade, LCSW. We discuss perinatal anxiety and OCD, all kinds of intrusive thoughts, sneaky compulsions we do that intrusive thoughts feed on, and the treatment that has an 85% success rate.
Resources
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Welcome to the NCRPxOB PMADs Podcast! In this first episode, Lauren Gimbel, MD and Joni Lybbert, PMHNP discuss perinatal depression. This podcast series was created in collaboration with the National Curriculum of Reproductive Psychiatry. If you would like to learn more from their trainings (you do), go to their website at ncrptraining.org.
Resources listed in the episode:
If you have questions, feedback, or would like to connect, email us at sadmomsclubpodcast@gmail.com.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Welcome to the second episode of the NCRPxOB PMADs Podcast! In this episode Lauren Gimbel, MD and Joni Lybbert, PMHNP discuss perinatal anxiety. This podcast series was created in collaboration with the National Curriculum of Reproductive Psychiatry. If you would like to learn more from their trainings (you do), go to their website at ncrptraining.org.
Resources listed in the episode:
If you have questions, feedback, or would like to connect, email us at sadmomsclubpodcast@gmail.com.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Welcome to the second episode of the NCRPxOB PMADs Podcast! In this episode Lauren Gimbel, MD and Joni Lybbert, PMHNP discuss perinatal anxiety. This podcast series was created in collaboration with the National Curriculum of Reproductive Psychiatry. If you would like to learn more from their trainings (you do), go to their website at ncrptraining.org.
Resources listed in the episode:
If you have questions, feedback, or would like to connect, email us at sadmomsclubpodcast@gmail.com.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Today I talk with educator, birthworker, and owner of Birthsmarter, Ashley Brichter. Birthsmarter started as a result of Ashley’s own births not going as planned, and her noticing the gap between birth education and the reality of giving birth.
We discuss the value of birth classes (whether it is your first child or third child), how physiological birth works, the history of birth in the US, and birth preferences vs birth plans.
If you would like to attend one of their birthing or postpartum classes go to their website to find 1) pre-recorded, on-demand classes, 2) classes over Zoom, and 3), in-person classes in a few select states.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Rosie Card is a local Utah mother, activist, and business owner. She talks with us about her experience of becoming a mother. It starts with her freezing her own eggs as a single woman, trying to conceive with endometriosis, how she felt during her pregnancy, starting on an antidepressant, the birth, and how life has changed since having her son. We discuss how things have changed for her since she had her son: personally, professionally, and relationally. Thank you to Rosie Card for spending time sharing her story.
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Holly Hill teaches us the biology of lactation, tips for latch and positioning your baby, and the correct flange size when pumping. She is a wealth of knowledge, and if you are new to breastfeeding or you're having trouble figuring it out, listen to this episode for guidance and to learn the value of an IBCLC. Holly works as part of the Breezy Babies Team, but you can connect with her directly via her Instagram @light_up_lactation or her email holly@breezybabies.com.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
** TRIGGER WARNING** We discuss pregnancy and infant loss throughout this episode.
Baylee Demars, the current Mrs. Utah America for 2023, shares her personal experience with pregnancy loss and how entering her first-ever pageant led to advocacy work and volunteer work with the non-profit organization Share Parents of Utah.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
I know this is a click-bait episode title, but there is a reason for it. My hope is that you Snoopy Sarah's and Nosy Natalie's (no judgment, I am also Ms. Snoopy) will be curious enough to give the episode a listen. And either feel validated if you're going through something similar or learn how to support a loved one.
Resources:
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Hannah Sawitsky is a therapist and a doula who has a private practice up in Logan, UT called Nova Therapy and Doula Services. We talk with her about emotions and embodying those emotions, specifically feeling mad. Hannah found that she started working with a lot of 40-something mothers who were feeling unsatisfied with their life, even though from the outside they felt like they had a great life. We draw parallels between newly postpartum women and women who are 15-20 years out from the postpartum experience. Much of their frustration stems from not getting their needs met. If you’re someone who has a difficult time feeling emotions, this will be an excellent episode for you. Let’s get started.
Get to know Hannah on her instagram @thrivewithnova
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club
