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Here to talk about taboo topics surrounding motherhood and the gaps in perinatal healthcare and reproductive health. Join your host Amber-lee from @thepowerofbirth (and editor Rigel from @b.d.esigns) as she engages in candid conversations with experts in health, science, fitness, maternity, sociology, and psychology and people with lived experiences. Together with our guests, we raise awareness, challenge biases and expose gaps in women’s health. We believe that by sharing your stories and information provided by experts, we can empower you to advocate for yourself and your wellbeing. We provide practical tips, education and a fresh perspective on perinatal health and modern motherhood through integrating lived experience and expert knowledge. At The Power of Birth and through this podcast, we’re here to reduce stigma, eliminate shame, and start important conversations that shift the way we think and practice. Together, we can break the silence, drive change and shape the future of women’s healthcare. You can visit the website for more information, free resources, and opportunities to share your story: www.thepowerofbirth.net Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and leave a review if you love the pod! Disclaimer: Please note that the advice given on this podcast is of general nature and should not be considered as personalised or professional advice. The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the content discussed in our episodes. We highly recommend conducting thorough research and seeking professional advice before making any decisions or taking any actions about your health and care providers. Please remember that the views and opinions expressed by our guests or the host do not necessarily reflect the views of The Power of Birth as a whole and we hope you find the conversations engaging and thought-provoking. Lastly, we would like to remind you that while we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date content, the world is constantly evolving and new information may emerge that could change the validity and applicability of advice given in previous episodes.
Episodes
Thursday May 30, 2024
Thursday May 30, 2024
*As always, please consider what you are consuming
Amber-lee is joined by Ariane Beeston, postnatal psychosis survivor, psychologist, former child protection caseworker, and writer who courageously shares her journey through postnatal psychosis after the birth of her son over a decade ago. Ariane's harrowing experience, detailed in her memoir "Because I'm Not Myself You See: A Memoir of Motherhood, Madness, and Coming Back from the Brink," offers a raw, real, and devastatingly honest look into the some of the most taboo and stigmatised experiences in maternal mental health.
Postnatal psychosis is a severe form of perinatal mental illness that occurs in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 mothers, typically within days to the first six weeks after childbirth. It is characterized by extreme confusion, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of touch with reality, making it a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Ariane discusses the intense symptoms including seeing her baby as a dragon, thoughts of death and ending her life, the isolation of that time and shame around her experiences, the physical and emotional toll of depression, and the fears that kept her silent for so long. She reveals how a combination of expert psychiatric care, medication, and unwavering support from her husband helped her find a path to recovery.
Amber-lee and Ariane explore the importance of acknowledging and addressing perinatal mental illness, the often-misunderstood nature of postpartum psychosis, intrusive thoughts, mandatory reporting and the vital role of support systems for both mothers and their families. This episode is a powerful testament to the importance of breaking the silence around maternal mental health struggles, and also the difficulties in bringing them to light.
Ariane's story is heartbreaking, but also carries so much hope for those who are currently struggling. Her book is shockingly relatable to any mother who has felt the weight of maternal mental illness and is brutally honest about that time and presentations of psychosis. I loved her book and hope the world accepts this beautiful and devastating poetic piece as it is.
You can purchase her book here: https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/because-im-not-myself-you-see
Find Ariane on socials: @arianebeeston
Read more of her work for COPE here:https://www.cope.org.au/author/ariane/
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, particularly related to perinatal or postpartum experiences, here are some valuable resources that can provide support and guidance:
www.panda.org.au & National Helpline: 1300 726 306
www.lifeline.org.au & 24/7 Crisis Support: 13 11 14
www.postpartum.net (global)
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