18. Breaking the Sleep Deprivation Myth: Strategies for Better Sleep in Early Motherhood

Stethoscopes and Strollers

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Welcome back to *Stethoscopes and Strollers*! In this episode, I’m tackling the widely accepted notion that poor sleep is an unavoidable part of early motherhood. Drawing on my experience as a newly minted Perinatal Mental Health Certified OBGYN, I'll explore the significant impact of sleep deprivation on maternal mental health, including its role as a risk factor for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders like postpartum depression, OCD, and psychosis.

I delve into societal expectations and what I like to call the "Struggle Olympics," where moms wear their sleep struggles as badges of honor. Why is seeking adequate sleep often stigmatized? Let’s flip that script and emphasize the importance of prioritizing sleep for both you and your child.

Episode Highlights:

- Sleep Deprivation and Mental Health: How lack of sleep can lead to severe perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

- Societal Expectations: The harmful cultural norms that expect mothers to endure sleep deprivation without seeking help.

- Support Systems: The importance of establishing a support system before the baby arrives, including partners, family, night nannies, and doulas.

- Practical Tips: Strategies to maximize sleep from the newborn stage, such as setting clear boundaries and considering professional help for sleep training.

- Personal Experience: I share my own journey with sleep issues and the measures I took to protect my sleep as a mother and physician.

Call to Action:

- Follow the show and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

- Leave a five-star review to help more physician moms discover *Stethoscopes and Strollers*.

- Join us next week for another insightful episode.

Looking forward to connecting with you on this important topic! Let's break the sleep deprivation myth together.

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