I’m continuing the theme of “less-talked-about motherhood topics” for the month of May. Not only to celebrate all mothers’ stories but to hopefully lessen the stigma of some topics and help create a safe space for all mothers to feel loved and worthy, no matter where their motherhood journey takes them.

My guest for this week is Kristina Dulaney. Kristina lives in Northeast Tennessee with her husband and two girls. Just over four years ago, she experienced the rarest of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders – Postpartum psychosis.

Experiencing postpartum psychosis propelled her to share her story to ignite change, decrease stigma and instill hope for others. She refuses to allow her own girls to experience new motherhood the way she did and wants the absolute best care available when it’s their turn to be mothers.

More about the guest

Kristina has shared her story on multiple platforms including podcasts, conferences and nursing schools, as well as many others.

She was also named a 40 under 40 honoree in her region this year after 18 months of full-time advocacy.

She is the co-founder of the Appalachian Perinatal Mental Health Alliance, an alliance formed under the Postpartum Support International. And she founded the nonprofit organization Cherished Mom.

Cherished Mom’s mission is to change the educational landscape around Perinatal Mental Health.

We talk about

• Her powerful story of going through postpartum psychosis
• Why we likely don’t hear more stories about postpartum psychosis
• How she is now using her story to help other mothers
• What she hopes changes about perinatal mental health and postpartum care in the future
• How we can all help to create the change that is so obviously needed in perinatal mental health care

Links & Resources

Kristina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinadulaney

Kristina on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/kristinadulaney

Cherished Mom: https://www.cherishedmom.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherishedmomorg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherishedmomorg

Appalachian Perinatal Alliance

“Postpartum Psychosis: Something I Didn’t Learn About in Birthing Class” by Kristina Dulaney on the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI) blog

More info about Postpartum Psychosis:

Mayo Clinic

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health

More about the Gotcha Mama Podcast:

The Gotcha Mama Podcast is where we share honest stories of the joys and struggles of mom-life with young kids.

Each week host Amanda Bennett interviews a mom about topics ranging from awkwardly making mom friends, to chasing BIG dreams and finding purpose, to managing crippling anxiety and depression. You’ll hear stories from moms like you with the purpose to inspire, encourage, and entertain you.

We understand that motherhood can be lonely and make you doubt yourself. The Gotcha Mama Podcast exists to let you know that you are not alone as a busy mom of young kiddos, no matter what you’re dealing with.

The show is all about tearing down our insecurities as moms by honestly sharing our stories and a little of what we’ve learned along the way.

We believe it’s a whole lot better riding the rollercoaster of motherhood together!

Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Also, please take a second and leave your honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts.  Ratings and reviews are important and greatly appreciated!  And I do personally read each and every one of them.

You can also listen on Stitcher, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.