Listen to Episode 20 · with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
I often get asked, “What causes postpartum depression and is there a way to prevent it?” Reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Pooja Lakshmin and I dive deep into these questions and explore the idea of prevention. In this episode, you will learn about what situations, life experience or clinical conditions that make a woman more prone to PPD/PPA and some practical takeaways you can do to better prepare yourself for the transition to motherhood.
What You'll Learn
- The situations, life experiences or clinical conditions that make a woman more prone to experiencing PPD/PPA
- Does having PPA with the first baby means you’ll have it with the second? And, if you didn’t have it with the first baby does that mean you are protected with the next baby?
- Strategies that women who are high risk can do to prevent PPD/PPA?
- Some things all women can do to try and prevent PPD / PPA, regardless of whether high risk or not?
- What role do hormones play in PPD/ PPA?
- Why is the perinatal period such a vulnerable one for women?
Work with a Momwell therapist who specializes in maternal mental health.
Written by
Erica Djossa
Registered Psychotherapist · CEO & Founder of Momwell
Erica Djossa is the CEO and founder of Momwell and a registered psychotherapist specializing in maternal mental health with over a decade of experience. A mother of three boys, she founded Momwell to set a standard of care for providers and ensure mom-centered, specialized mental health support at every stage of motherhood. She is a regular media contributor, featured in Time, USA Today, the Toronto Star, Cityline, and more.
Featured guest
Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Reproductive Psychiatrist
Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and freelance writer. She specializes in women's mental health and pregnancy related mental health conditions. She’s a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the George Washington University School of Medicine and maintains a private practice in Washington, DC. She applies an integrative approach to taking care of women suffering from a variety of conditions including postpartum depression and anxiety. Her writing has been published in the New York Times, Medscape and Doximity, and her advice has been featured in Glamour, New York Times Parenting, Harper’s Bazaar, and Bustle. Dr. Lakshmin is most passionate about empowering women and sees her clinical work as an extension of this mission.
