Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to keep it all together as a mom of a newborn, you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed.

On top of the enormous hormonal shift that’s happened after having a baby, there are outside factors that can cause additional stress on you as a new mom.

Maybe your husband got a new job that requires him to travel more so he’s not there to help as much.

You’re moving to a new city.

You got laid off from your job.

Your baby has colic.

You don’t have family near you.

You’re sleep-deprived…

It all piles up.

But you feel alone and like you don’t know who to talk to.

My guest this week, is Keisha Reaves. Keisha has been counseling and working with women in the mental health field for sixteen years.

She’s a mom herself and is certified in perinatal mental health.

After witnessing the stigma of mental health, she’s made it her mission to normalize therapy. 

Keisha candidly shares her own challenges with postpartum anxiety and the stressors that not only affected her but that she sees affect other moms who come to her also.

Keisha shares so much wisdom around mental health for moms in this episode. 

More About the Guest

Keisha is a mom, mental health professional, founder of Pushthrumom postpartum and self-care boxes, podcaster, and founder of the BreatheMama & Pushthrumom conference.

She’s been in the mental health field for more than sixteen years. 

She serves women who are trying to conceive, have fertility issues, have experienced infant loss, and are transitioning into motherhood as well as postpartum depression. 

She got her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services from Clayton State University and then her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology at the University of West Alabama.

Providing access to resources and providing mental health services to women of color is a mission and strong passion of Keisha’s.

She likes encouraging women through holistic practices and talk therapy.

We talk about

• What her personal postpartum experience was like with her two children
• The key things she did with her second pregnancy and postpartum that made a huge difference in her mental health
• Factors that may make mental health issues more likely for a mother  
• The differences women of color experience in pregnancy and postpartum health and why she’s so passionate about providing access to resources and mental health services to women of color

Links & Resources

www.pushthrumom.com

Pushthru Mom Instagram

Keisha’s Instagram

Postpartum Support International – resources on perinatal mental health, finding professional help, including an online provider directory: https://www.postpartum.net/

PSI’s Mind the Gap initiative – Ensuring Perinatal Mental Health is a National Priority: https://www.postpartum.net/mind-the-gap/

CDC research: Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy-Related Deaths

Why are black women at such high risk of dying from pregnancy complications? – American Heart Association

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 follow 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.