Let's Be Real - Mama Journeys - Episode 181 W/Abbey Stone

Abbey Stone is a mama in Colorado and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a mama of 2 ages 4 and 6. She moved to Colorado in 2011 as a travel nurse (from Tennessee). Her mama journey was a little different than she thought it would be because she was induced with her first. She had her second in a birthing center (which she wanted with her first but it didn't happen).  She struggled with perinatal mood disorders and her mom told her that she actually felt "normal" when she was pregnant.  So hormonal imbalances can change your whole personality and how you go through the world. Her two pregnancies were very different and her second was more familiar so that was easier. Her biggest challenge was sleep deprivation.  Taking care of herself was also a huge struggle with a newborn and the lack of rest multiplied the effects. Her biggest supporter has been her husband and he only got one week of leave so her mom and mother-in-law really stepped up. Her best mama moments are when she explores the world with them. Taking them camping and learning to ride a bicycle as well as learning new things and watching them exploring the world around them. Her worst mama moment has been parenting a challenging kiddo who has deep, big feelings.  His feelings become bigger and bigger and holding space for him and yet having the patience to handle it all.  She wishes she would have known that most of the things that are going on internally are NORMAL.  We don't talk about our mental health in a really good way and we need to do more. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts and worrying can look different for every human being!