When You're Carrying More Than A Child

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram and you might find posts filled with pink smoke bombs and blue confetti--evidence of gender reveal parties. People who are very eager to share news of a baby on the way. Now imagine being pregnant with your first child and not wanting to tell anyone or even accept it yourself. It does happen. But you don't hear about it too much. My guest this week wants to change that. She wants to talk about perinatal and postpartum depression so women know they are not alone and that there is help and hope. Katie Spencer is a mother of two children and employee of NAMI Northeast Region PA who helps others with their mental health and reflects on her own mental health journey. In our conversation Katie shares what it was like to be experiencing anxiety and depression at a time of life that is expected to be one of great joy. Today she helps other women with struggles that she has gone through herself. While Katie still lives with depression and anxiety, she is healthy today and experiencing joy from her two children and husband of nine years. Remember that if you are having thoughts of suicide, you can text or call 988. Katie also shared this important helpline for women who are pregnant or in the post pregnancy stage: text or call the PSI Helpline at 800-944-4773 for basic information, support and resources for perinatal mental health or visit the website. If you are a pregnant woman and/or mother in Northeast PA who is experiencing a mental health struggle or feeling overwhelmed, check out NAMI Northeast Region PA's Momma Bears Support Group on NAMI's website; you can also find additional support groups for others struggling with their mental health. For more information about the Momma Bears Support Group, reach out to [email protected] or call 570-290-8118. Remember, you are not alone. If you like this content and would like to support this podcast with a monetary donation, visit my Buy Me A Coffee page. Know that you can also show support by sharing this podcast on your socials or telling a friend, foe or anyone you know, or by writing a review or testimonial. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart and the bottom of my wine glass.