From Postpartum Depression to a Global Movement

When Jodi Hillebrand faced postpartum depression after the birth of her first child, she discovered a painful truth: mothers receive extensive support for birth, but very little for recovery. Determined to create a different experience for herself and others, she began exploring holistic postpartum recovery and eventually pioneered the placenta encapsulation movement in the United States. In this episode, Jodi shares the turning points that led her from struggling new mother to founder of Postpartum Expert and Placenta Benefits. She discusses postpartum support, maternal wellness, birth advocacy, and the challenges of bringing a misunderstood practice into the mainstream. Through court battles, public criticism, and decades of education, she built a movement focused on empowering mothers and transforming postpartum care.Key Takeaways• Postpartum recovery deserves as much planning and support as childbirth itself.• Personal struggles can become powerful missions that impact thousands of lives.• Challenging societal norms often requires courage, persistence, and education.• Practical support is one of the most important factors in postpartum wellness.• Creating lasting change starts by helping one person at a time.Notable Quotes• "Postpartum support matters. We just don't do a good job."• "The postpartum period is actually the first 12 months after a baby is born."• "We don't even separate puppies from their mothers for eight weeks."• "The joy is there immediately. It just gets clouded by the stress."• "If taking a few verbal and emotional hits means the message reaches someone who needs it, then it's worth it."