Content Warning: Cancer, death, losing a parent, mention of miscarriage, perinatal loss Description: On today’s episode of the PWO Podcast, Kate Love joins me to share her story of navigating the loss of a parent and becoming a parent herself.  Highlights:  1:28 - Kate introduces herself 5:24 - Kate shares her story of her mom’s cancer diagnosis as she became pregnant 10:42 - Grieving and how Kate carries her mom with her and her mom’s passing 16:09 - Death phobia, grief in the Perinatal Period. 28:57 - The timeline of grief, “grief isn’t fixable.” 36:42 - Legacy and grief rituals 42 ..read more

On today's episode, I am joined once again by Anneke to discuss the stress that the holidays can bring.   We chat about the pressures of "the perfect celebrations," the weight of capitalism on gift-giving, and the unique mental load parents carry during the season.   Highlights:  2:03 - Anneke's experience with celebrating holidays  6:47 - Capitalism and the impact on gift giving as parents 11:52 - Traditions and social norms and how isolating they can be 28:31 - Mental load of parenting and managing holidays Resources mentioned in this episode:  You can find us a ..read more

Content Warning:  suicidal ideation, CAS involvement Episode description: On today’s episode I am talking with Elaine about the often unspoken challenges of parenting with a disability. From discovering her pregnancy at seven months to confronting societal stereotypes and medical assumptions, Elaine's story is a testament to resilience and the power of unwavering determination. Highlights:  1:44 - How Elaine came into parenting, 5:24 - Elaine found out she was 7 months pregnant, 10:45 - Doctor’s assumptions about parenting with a disability, seeking out a midwife, 24:35 - Elaine’s su ..read more

Content Warning: c-section, medical procedures, swearing, rage, mental illness On today’s episode I am talking with Amanda Gurman who hosts the podcast Honest as a Mother, about her introduction to motherhood and the impact on her mental health. Amanda shares honestly and openly about her experiences with postpartum anxiety, depression and rage as well as how her recent diagnosis with ADHD impacts her parenting. Amanda also talks about her recovery and how she supports new parents by talking about the realities of parenting and how she is trying to change the narrative around motherhood. Amand ..read more

 Please donate to the Climb here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/healthy-start-healthy-future-inc/p2p/COTDCanada/team/team-ontario-virtual/ Episode Description: Today’s episode is a special one for PWO’s Climb Out of the Darkness fundraising event. On these 2 bonus episodes we are going to talk about accessing different types of supports in the Perinatal period when we are experiencing symptoms of a mood and anxiety disorder.   On today’s episode I am so excited to have Amber Sperling talking about the benefits of individual therapy and Kelley Hassanpour about the benefits ..read more

 Please donate to the Climb here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/healthy-start-healthy-future-inc/p2p/COTDCanada/team/team-ontario-virtual/ Description: Today’s episode is a special one for PWO’s Climb Out of the Darkness fundraising event. On these 2 bonus episodes we are going to talk about accessing different types of supports in the Perinatal period when we are experiencing symptoms of a mood and anxiety disorder.   Highlights: Karin Thoms discusses the benefits of Peer Support: 2:13 - Introducing Karin 2:55 - Karin story with PPD PPA; accessing individual therapy ..read more

Gabriella Carafa, MSW, PMH-C is a social worker, psychotherapist and consultant working with people in the perinatal period experiencing mental health issues as well as parents with disabilities. Gabriella welcomed her daughter 2 years ago and then at 3.5 months postpartum lost her sister to an opiate overdose. Gabriella shares her story of love and loss while trying to juggle adjusting to parenthood and grieving the loss of her sister simultaneously. I’m so grateful to Gabriella for sharing her story in a vulnerable and authentic way.    Content Warning: Death, grief, opiate overdo ..read more

Content Warning: fat phobia, labour interventions, COVID delivery, birth trauma, post-birth hemorrhage  On today’s episode, Chelsey Creed shares her experience of having her first baby as a plus size person and the fat phobia she faced from her midwife. Chelsey’s experience is so relatable in that a lot of gestational parents face fat phobia in their care and this has a big impact on how they feel about and relate to their bodies and their pregnancy journeys. Chelsey also talks about delivery after COVID hit, her experience as a first-time mom delivering a baby including induction, pain r ..read more

Content Warning: Birth Trauma, Trauma responses, mention of c-section, medical procedures Jen Gillean and Emma Fernando are the co-facilitators of Birth Trauma Ottawa. After connecting for the first time in 2017 at a birth trauma retreat, it was clear that they shared a similar passion to spread the word, provide resources and support those that had been affected by birth trauma. Hoping to find a way to help others by holding the heartache that comes with the unique experience of living with birth trauma, they created Birth Trauma Ottawa in 2022.  Birth Trauma Ottawa holds space for those ..read more

On today’s episode Lorraine Lowry talks about how her symptoms of ADHD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) show up and impact her parenting. Lorraine is 3 years postpartum and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Lorraine was also diagnosed with BPD after her son was born. Lorraine shares that “it’s been a whirlwind learning who I am while trying to help him figure out who he is, especially when I see similar traits and I get scared for his future”. Highlights: 1:36 – What is BPD/ADHD and how does Lorraine define them for herself 13:08 - How did BPD/ADHD affect Lorraine’s parenting 16:51 ..read more