Why is pregnancy so hard on mental health? with Dr Jenny Turner

In this episode of 'Pregnant and Sick,' I’m joined by Dr. Jenny Turner to discuss the often-overlooked struggles of pregnancy, including severe sickness, mental health challenges, and the societal pressures that exacerbate these issues. We talk about our personal experiences, the importance of support networks, and the role of therapy in managing the complex emotions surrounding pregnancy.Thanks for reading Know Your Mind with Dr Rosie Gilderthorp! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Useful LinksDr Jenny Turner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennypsychologist/?hl=enJenny’s Website: https://www.mindbodysoulpsychology.co.uk/Jenny’s Substack: Pregnancy Sickness Support: https://pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk/Timestamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:18 Guest Introduction: Dr. Jenny Turner01:33 Mental Health in Pregnancy: Overlooked Factors02:33 Personal Experiences and Initial Reactions04:31 The Importance of Early Support09:11 The Secrecy of the First Trimester12:09 Shame and Societal Expectations15:18 The Reality of Pregnancy Sickness20:34 The Need for Better Medical Support23:09 Identity Formation During Pregnancy24:37 The Impact of Labels and Self-Judgment25:23 Parenthood and the Internalised Outer Critic27:22 The Fragility of External Validation29:50 Therapy During Pregnancy36:30 Navigating Pregnancy During the Pandemic39:51 The Complexity of Emotions in Pregnancy43:23 Seeking Support and Building Resilience47:35 Final Thoughts and Resources This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drrosie.substack.com