The Juna Women Podcast is a weekly discussion where Juna Founder, Sarah Kuhn, talks to Moms about their health, work, parenting, and all the different ways they’re keeping it together.
This is Episode 018, The Signs of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety with Sahar Martinez.
In this episode, Sarah talks with Maternal Mental Health Specialist and Mom of two, Sahar Martinez. Sahar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctoral Candidate practicing in Orange County, California.
She provides therapeutic services to individuals, couples and families to assist in treating relational issues, anxiety, depression, loss, grief and transitional phases of life.
On the show, Sarah and Sahar talk about Sahar’s transition into maternal health and how having kids impacted their work. They also talk about how women can prepare for the giant identity shift that happens post children, postpartum depression and the signs to look out for, as well as the things we can do to maintain strong and open relationships with our partners.
Listen To This Episode
Show Notes
02:00 – Sahar’s path to Motherhood and becoming a mental health therapist.
05:00 – How Sahar decided to focus on maternal mental health as her speciality.
08:07 – Postpartum depression with a second baby, but not the first baby.
09:15 – Preeclampsia at 39 weeks and a 42 hour labor with her 1st baby led her
09:32 – Postpartum depression symptoms for Sahar were anger, sadness, and anxiety — often placed and directed at no one or nothing in particular.
11:46 – The stigma around postpartum depression and the shame you might feel if you have symptoms.
13:03 – The clinical signs of postpartum depression may include:
- Unstoppable racing thoughts.
- Disturbances of sleep
- loss of appetite
- Inability to stop moving
- Dizziness
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Worry that impedes on the normal function of life
14:26 – All mood and anxiety disorders fall on a spectrum. When it comes to the point where it impacts your normal level of functioning that’s when you will want to seek help.
15:00 – How an identity shift can contribute to PP Depression. You have to release the idea of the old you and exploring the new you. Exploring what your needs are and being able to communicate.
22:00 – Learning how to communicate with your partner after having a baby. You have to learn how to create the space with your partner and learn how to put words to what you’re feeling.
26:00 – Sex after having a baby. Even though you are cleared at 6 weeks, it doesn’t mean you’re actually ready. This is a VERY common thing that happens. Your body is different, sex is going to feel different and that’s okay. There are ways to navigate your sexual relationship that feels right to you. You may have to introduce new positions and talk through what your needs are. We are not conditioned to talk about sex in a way that’s open and this is a great time to work on that. The idea of sex and intimacy become co-mingled where one partner is viewing them as related and the other partner is not.
31:00 – Battling the struggle between the days where you feel awesome and like you’re crushing it and the ones where you feel like you can do nothing right.
32:30 – Sahar shares her most unexpected part of motherhood.
33:45 – Sahar is reading a book called “How To Breathe” by Ashley Neese and “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah.
35:00 – Sahar shares what her Mom community looks like.
About Sahar Martinez
Sahar is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT #111456) and Doctoral Candidate practicing in Orange County, California. She provides therapeutic services to individuals, couples and families to assist in treating relational issues, anxiety, depression, loss, grief and transitional phases of life. She has worked extensively with clients from diverse backgrounds and in varying stages of life, from ages 4 -94.
Her specialties include: transitional phases of life, maternal mental health, anxiety and depression, loss, couple & relational issues. I have worked with women and men facing the challenges that come with infertility, loss, adoption, pregnancy, and the changes that occur with entering into parenthood. I am passionate about helping women re-establish a sense of self in addition to the roles we take on as partners, mothers, sisters, and friends. In order to nurture those around us, we must first nourish ourselves.
Connect with Sahar here on her website or on Instagram @saharmartinezmft.
Please subscribe to the Juna Women Podcast wherever you listen to Podcasts.
If you have feedback or know someone who would be a great guest on the show, please reach to Sarah@juna.co.
Lastly, check out the Juna App by clicking below and get your first week FREE.
