Ep. 365 Managing Postpartum Challenges with Dr. Candice Wood: Navigating Perfectionism, Partner Dynamics, and Mental Health

Make sure your hubby is prepared for parenting with our Dad Daze course!  In this insightful episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe is joined by Dr. Candice Wood, an OB-GYN with 18 years of experience in women's wellness and perinatal mental health. Together, they dive deep into postpartum challenges, focusing on the myths of perfect motherhood, managing postpartum rage, and the critical role of partner support. They discuss practical strategies for setting expectations with partners, ensuring mental well-being, and maintaining healthy relationship dynamics post-baby. Whether you're a new mom, expecting, or supporting one, this episode provides valuable guidance on how to navigate the emotional and psychological landscape of postpartum life. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation full of practical advice and emotional support. 00:00 Welcome and Listener Request 02:39 Introducing Dr. Candice Wood 04:01 The Struggles of Postpartum 05:06 Navigating Social Media Pressures 05:22 Engaging Your Partner 09:00 The Myth of the Perfect Mom 22:16 The Importance of Emotional Regulation 51:39 Postpartum Rage and Anxiety 54:30 Prioritizing Sleep and Mindfulness Postpartum 55:39 The Importance of Outdoor Time and Breaking Routine 57:29 Addressing Postpartum Rage and Medication 01:01:47 Navigating Partner Dynamics Postpartum 01:04:34 Setting Expectations and Communication with Partners 01:12:33 Empowering Partners and Building Confidence 01:21:13 The Importance of Multiple Caregivers 01:36:18 Final Thoughts and Resources   Guest Bio: Dr. Candice Wood has spent the last 18 years providing comprehensive wellness, gynecologic, and obstetric care for women of all ages. Over the years, Dr Wood has watched her own patients struggle to achieve wellness while lacking sufficient focus on mental health. With shortening doctor visit times, only the bare minimum can be done during a typical wellness exam, excluding the opportunity for a woman’s most trusted care provider to assess her mental health – arguably the gateway to her overall health and wellness. Likewise, during postpartum visits, Dr. Wood found that there is no time to help young mothers struggling with mental health issues. Finding another mental health provider to care for a patient with perinatal mood disorders, infertility, or fetal loss is equally challenging. Following her passion and determined to make a difference, Dr. Wood obtained a certification in perinatal mood disorders, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy, and she started the Woman Made Well clinic with one mission – to achieve wellness through the proactive pursuit of both physical AND mental health. She is passionate about empowering women with the care and tools they need to live their best life.   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Dr. Wood on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: Connect with Dr. Wood here: https://www.womanmadewell.com/