Carly had never experienced depression or anxiety until she was confronted with postpartum anxiety and depression after she had her first baby. From being scared to speak up, to feeling that she was undeserving of being a mother and ashamed to feel this way. She was exhausted, she was crying all the time, she wasn’t understanding where these feelings were coming from, and she didn’t want to feel anything anymore. Carly shares her lived experience with postpartum depression, and postpartum anxiety with her two children. She speaks about her struggles having a Covid baby and not even wanting to leave the house. Carly takes me on her journey of what she went through with ease, confidence and a little bit of humour. She speaks up about advocating for yourself, recognizing the signs of something that is more than ‘baby blues,’ and shares with me what she would say to herself when she was experiencing scary and intrusive thoughts as a new mother. We discussed how therapy helped heal her, how she’s going with her struggles today and what she does to look after herself.

Content Warning – this episode details, intrusive thoughts, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. Go gently and listen with care.

- Follow Aura and Oak Tree Podcast on Instagram for more validating maternal mental health content, information, and advocacy - @auraandoaktree

- Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, and review this podcast. Five-star reviews go a long way. I thank each and every listener for your support, you are all a part of making this happen. I very much appreciate it.  

If you would like to share your story, and lived experience with perinatal mental health, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, or infertility on the podcast, I would be honoured to share it with you. Fill out the guest form on the website ⁠auraandoaktree.com⁠

Thank you for listening to today’s episode. Please remember that you are worthy of support and deserved to be heard. Your mental health matters, you matter.

Support is available -

https://panda.org.au/

https://www.cope.org.au/ https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/