Around 1 in 5 women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the early years after having a baby. In Beyond Baby Blues, perinatal psychiatrists Lynsey and Chrissy discuss topical issues in maternal mental health.
This podcast is for anyone with an interest in pregnancy, parenting, and mental health: if you are a parent or expectant parent, a healthcare professional working with women and birthing people, or just want to know more about this emerging field, then there is something in the podcast for you!
With thanks to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Faculty of Perinatal Psychiatry.
Publisher
Lynsey McAlpine & Chrissy Jayarajah
Category
health & fitness · kids & family · society & culture
Perinatal psychiatrists explore hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of pregnancy sickness, and its significant impact on mental health, offering insights for mental health professionals to better support women; this is an informational episode.
27 Mar 2025
Lived experience
Whether we are delivering clinical care or designing and improving healthcare services, the voice of lived experience should be at the heart of everything that we do. In this episode we speak to Sakina Ballard (trustee for Make Birth Better and Maternal Mental Health Alliance) about peer support and experts by experience in perinatal mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care...
27 Dec 2024
Infant feeding
Infant feeding is an intrinsic part of parenthood. When it goes well it can be incredibly rewarding, but it's not always straightforward and many parents experience difficulties.In this episode, Lynsey and Chrissy discuss the different factors that influence feeding decisions, the intricate relationship between infant feeding and mental health, and the challenges around medication and breastfeeding. References and resources:Supporting positive conversations about feeding choice and menta...
21 Nov 2024
Loneliness
Lynsey, Chrissy, and Dr Kate Adlington explore the emotional and social drivers of loneliness in the perinatal period, revealing the complex realities behind the societal expectation of community and connection.
30 Oct 2024
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects up to 4% of the adult population although it is under-recognised and under-diagnosed in women and girls. In this episode we are joined by Dr Shevonne Matheiken, who shares her own lived and learned experience of ADHD and parenthood. We discuss the medical and social models of ADHD, the different ways that it can manifest, the challenges that can arise during major life transitions such as pregnancy and parenthood, and the implicatio...
28 May 2024
Sleep
Sleep is absolutely vital for the body and brain to function properly, but sleep disruption is almost universal in the perinatal period. This can have a huge impact on parenting and on mental health.
In this episode we talk to Dr Chiara Petrosellini about the complicated relationship between sleep and perinatal mental health. Tune in to hear about the science of sleep, the specific challenges in the perinatal period, and evidence-based strategies for improving sleep during this crucial time.
Recommended resources:
The Sleep Foundation (https://www.sleepfoundation.org/)
BMJ visual summary on optimising sleep for night shifts (https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2018/03/01/bmj.j5637.DC1/night_shift_sleep_v24_web.pdf)
Maternal sleeping problems before and after childbirth (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10918694/): a systematic review (open access paper)
Send us a message! (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2290576/open_sms)
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
23 Apr 2024
Gender disappointment
“Is it a boy or a girl!?”
Some parents experience sadness, distress, and feelings of shame when their baby’s gender does not match their preferences and expectations. In this episode, Lynsey and Chrissy discuss the individual, social, and cultural aspects of gender preference and gender disappointment.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, you can read Chrissy’s open-access paper here: ‘It's a girl!’ Is gender disappointment a mental health or sociocultural issue? | BJPsych Bulletin
(https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/its-a-girl-is-gender-disappointment-a-mental-health-or-sociocultural-issue/6C94244174A6908EB13E8864BDFC9009)
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
26 Mar 2024
Perinatal depression
Perinatal depression is one of the most common illnesses to affect people during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Its effects can be devastating and, if left untreated, it can have a huge impact on women and their families.
In this episode we are joined by Leanne Howlett to talk about her experience of perinatal depression, and her incredible work as a nurse in a perinatal mental health service.
If you would like more information about the issues discussed in this episode, here are some useful resources:
Tommy’s: depression in pregnancy (https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-wellbeing/depression-pregnancy)
RCPsych: postnatal depression - info for patients (https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/post-natal-depression)
RCPsych: postnatal depression - info for family and carers (https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-information-for-carers)
Mind: coping with suicidal thoughts (https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/helping-yourself-now/)
PANDAS: PND awareness and support (https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/)
Content advisory: this episode contains content that might be distressing to some listeners, including content about self harm and suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
5 Mar 2024
The good enough mother
Donald Winnicott was a paediatrician and psychoanalyst whose work had a profound influence on our understanding of psychological development. In today’s episode, Lynsey and Chrissy discuss Winnicott’s concept of the good enough mother and the importance of parent-infant relationships for healthy psychological development.
If you would like to learn more about Winnicott’s work, we wholeheartedly recommend reading some of his original work: The Child, the Family, and the Outside World is a great place to start.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
20 Feb 2024
Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can start very suddenly in the days or weeks after having a baby. It can happen to anyone and often occurs completely out of the blue.
In this episode we are joined by Sally Wilson from Action on Postpartum Psychosis to talk about her experience of postpartum psychosis and the work that she is doing with APP to support and advocate for women and families who have been affected by this serious but treatable condition.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, you can follow APP on twitter @ActionOnPP and check out the resources on their website (https://www.app-network.org/).
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
6 Feb 2024
The neurobiology of pregnancy and motherhood
Becoming a parent is a brain-altering experience. In this episode, Lynsey and Chrissy dive into the latest neuroscience research about what happens to the brain during pregnancy and the postnatal period. It’s pretty amazing!
If you would like to find out more about this topic, you can check out the Hoekzema lab website (https://www.pregnancyandthebrain.com/) and read this open-access paper. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440938/)
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties, please know that there is lots of help available. You can contact your primary care provider in the first instance, or if you are based in the UK the NHS perinatal mental health website (https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-care-for-your-mental-health-before-during-and-after-pregnancy/) will help you to find support in your local area.
Reach and audience
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
22
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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