Maternal Mental Health Research Collaborative
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“The Monster” of Postpartum Psychosis: Rachel’s Story

Trigger warning: Suicidality, psychosis, and mania “I don’t feel like myself,” I told my doctor at four months postpartum. “I don’t want to do anything. Nothing feels right. And…” The tears threatened to squeeze out from between my eyelids. “And I have thoughts of hurting my baby.” The doctor stared at me coldly for a…

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How Receiving a Diagnosis of Postpartum Depression Saved My Life – Megan’s Story

I’m a 38-year-old suburban soccer mom who’s soft in all the wrong places and could never be mistaken for Britney Spears. Except when I look at photos of her as a young mom, tears in her eyes, looking trapped and alone, all I see is me. Finding Common Ground With Britney Spears Britney and I…

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Reflections of Mothering with a Mental Illness During a Pandemic – Fightress’ Story

It’s All Hard This quote resurfaced on social media recently: “Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Being in debt is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard. Choose your hard. Communication is hard. Not communicating is hard. Choose your hard. Life will never…

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My Baby Is A Year Old & I Still Have Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is the most common complication of child birth, affecting upwards of 1 in 4 women every year. It doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone with symptoms that range from feeling isolated, sad and alone all the way to full blown rage and crippling insomnia. While each mom’s experience with postpartum depression is different…

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Marathon of Moms: Your Stories Break Down Stigma

Our first ever Marathon of Moms was a huge success and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our MMHRC community. After putting out our call for your stories of lived experience with maternal mental illness, we received submissions from women from across North America. Common Bonds and Shared Experience It was…

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Alicia’s Story: Nothing About Motherhood Came Naturally to Me

After five years, I’ve lost most of the guilt that I’ve carried around for far too long; the shame that accompanies missing out on the first nine months of your baby’s life. Physically I was there and in the eyes of most observers, I was a wonderful, loving mother. Love him – I did –…

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Kasia’s Story: Life Got Very Real, Very Fast

I had my first babies at a much later age than most women – I was 36. For me getting pregnant was not the easiest thing to do. Thankfully after almost 10 years of trying, we got pregnant with twins – a boy and a girl.  Life couldn’t be any better, right? Struggles with Infertility…

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Katie’s Story: My Experience Made No Sense to Me

I’m an average woman. I’m a nurse who went away to college for four years and I’m married to a wonderful man. We make a decent living, and I have a great group of friends I’ve stayed close with since college. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be in a situation where…

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Lauren’s Story: Panic Attacks are Never Normal

Mom and Dad with new baby

“Oh my God, I know how women hurt their babies!” I cried as this thought replayed in my head over and over, while I held my screaming baby at arm’s length. My husband took my daughter, and I collapsed into my bed. “I need help. There is something seriously wrong with me,” I said through…

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