Discover how a holistic approach to prenatal mental health can prevent postpartum struggles. Learn about the key principles from Motherhood Survival Manual to prioritize your well-being before and after pregnancy.

Sleep plays a vital role in our physical and mental health, and no one is more aware of that role than those who struggle with sleep. The thought of insomnia can even become anxiety-provoking. Everyone experiences insomnia from time to time, but if this persists for more than one month, we call this “chronic insomnia.”

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience filled with joy, challenges, and exhaustion. Navigating the postpartum period can feel overwhelming, especially when you're recovering from childbirth, learning to care for a newborn, and adjusting to a new normal. Below are practical, expert-backed tips from seasoned moms and healthcare professionals to help you through this precious yet challenging stage.

Many pregnant people worry about the safety of medication, fearing harm to their unborn child. However, untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy can pose significant risks. The truth is, mother and fetus are one. An all-or-nothing approach to medication can lead to worsened mental health and potential pregnancy complications.

The National Depression Hotline (nationaldepressionhotline.org) stands as a beacon of hope for those navigating the fog of depression. This free, confidential service offers a supportive ear, professional advice, and the first step towards recovery, 24/7.

Ketamine, originally known as a powerful anesthetic, has gained attention for its rapid antidepressant effects by acting on the NMDA receptor and modulating glutamate in the brain. In controlled clinical settings, ketamine has proven efficacy in treating severe and treatment-resistant depression. However, the growing trend of using ketamine at home, often without medical supervision, raises significant concerns.

In most cases, patients respond to esketamine and continue with regular dosing usually every 2-3 weeks. Infrequently, they will require redosing weekly or monthly. Stopping the medication after a response is uncommon and usual among those who have consistently mild depression.

Depression that does not respond to 2 or more antidepressant medications of therapeutic dose for at least 6 weeks is what I call “sticky depression” or more formally, treatment resistant depression. Luckily it does not have to be treatment resistant anymore because I have 2 major weapons against “sticky depression” - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Spravato (esketamine nasal spray). Luckily, both are very safe, FDA approved/cleared, and are covered by most major insurance plans. Often, the biggest challenge is deciding which treatment is best for my individual patient because most patients are great candidates for both treatments.

We encourage you to have a different and more mindful perspective, a different approach to how you respond to stress. You are free to choose how you react to the stimulus instead of being a victim and simply just reacting to your environment. You are free to question assumptions, analyze resources, problem solve, and strategize. Your life can and should be dictated by you. You can choose to react differently to stress. You don’t have to be a victim anymore. We want to teach you about proactive coping, stress reduction, and living a principle-centered life.