1 03, 2015

How to Get Involved with the Postpartum Health Alliance

By |2019-11-18T14:30:40-08:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: , |2 Comments

This coming Wednesday the Postpartum Health Alliance is hosting the Annual Meet and Greet at Gordon Biersch in Mission Valley. The happy hour is an opportunity to find out about how to get involved with PHA, chat with current members and meet the 2015 executive board. (Spoiler: Yes, I’m on the board this year.)

As my grandpa used to say, “Food is very unimportant,” (usually while going for a fourth or fifth helping.) The PHA will host heavy appetizers and there will be drinks available for purchase. I’ve also found the company to be friendly, diverse and interesting.

The Postpartum Health Alliance is a San Diego non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about postpartum emotional disorders and providing support and treatment referrals to women and their families who are struggling with them.

We are a volunteer driven group and help is ALWAYS needed. Here […]

6 12, 2014

Why I Want to Look at My Phone Less around My Baby

By |2019-11-18T14:30:42-08:00December 6th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Parenting, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: , , , , |6 Comments

I have found my New Year’s Resolution for 2015. I want to consciously avoid using my cell phone around my young children. Specifically, checking email, social media, and all those other things I do with my smart phone other than talk. My motivation is not fear of radiation. (Although I do have some concerns about radiation from cell phone use, especially around young brains, and have pre-ordered a SafeSleeve anti-radiation smart phone case.) My concern is being “checked out” and the pain it could cause my babies.

Screen Shot of Still Face Experiment

I recently watched a video of the 1975 “Still Face Experiment” by Dr. Edward Tronick. It was painful to see the baby’s distress at seeing her unresponsive mother. The mother is […]

31 10, 2014

Older First Time Moms at Increased Risk of Depression

By |2019-11-18T14:30:57-08:00October 31st, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments

A recent study showed an increased risk of postpartum depression in women of advanced maternal age. Specifically, first time moms between the ages of 40-44 had statistically higher rates of depression than women ages 30-35.

older mom and baby from freedigitalphotos.net and hyena reality

The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health reported on the article, which was published last month in a Canadian journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The researchers did not uncover WHY older mothers are at an increased risk for postpartum depression, but they did have two theories. One, they believe it is possible that first time moms over 40 may have more difficultly during pregnancy and a more difficult adjustment to motherhood. Another possibility is that older moms may feel less […]

15 10, 2014

Culture and Language in Therapy with New and Expecting Parents

By |2019-11-18T14:30:57-08:00October 15th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |6 Comments

Recently I attended a lecture sponsored by the Postpartum Health Alliance on “Cultural Considerations when Working with Expecting and New Parents.” The lecturer happened to be an old friend of mine, Dr. Mariela Shibley, Psy.D. She shared with a group of maternal mental health practitioners, First Five home visitors, and other professionals interested in helping pregnant and postpartum women. As I focus on helping women of childbearing years in my psychotherapy private practice in San Diego, I always look forward to learning more and connecting with other practitioners at the PHA lectures. You can see more posts inspired by the PHA lectures here: Postpartum Couples and the

20 09, 2014

A Mother’s Unprocessed Childhood Experiences Can Decrease Her Ability to Respond Appropriately to Her Baby’s Cries

By |2019-11-18T14:30:58-08:00September 20th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Mental Wellness|Tags: , , |2 Comments

A study released last week¹ in Child Development provides new evidence that a mom’s ability to respond appropriately to her baby’s cries depends on her level of depression and her own childhood experiences.

crying baby

Image source 

The healthiest way to respond to an upset baby (quickly, consistently and warmly) was associated with mothers with healthier emotional development. Mothers who are depressed or who have problems regulating their emotions are more likely to focus on themselves and their own stress, rather than on the needs of the baby.¹

My two cents: New moms don’t want to focus on themselves, especially in something like therapy. This new study indicates yet another reason why taking a little time to be selfish and stay healthy is BEST FOR BABY. What keeps you healthy and balanced? […]

13 09, 2014

Win the Ultimate New Parent Prize Pack Worth Over $800

By |2019-11-18T14:30:58-08:00September 13th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Giveaways/Free Resources, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , , , , , |51 Comments

A new carseat, a baby carrier, a wrap and a swaddler: really the only products you need for a new baby. I believe in keeping it simple and being prepared. So I have teamed up with the super sweet folks at Ergobaby and Orbitbaby to offer an amazing package of prizes, everything you need for a new baby… well, almost everything! Diapers help. The winner will also win a session with me to consult on anything he or she needs to feel ready for a baby.

win the new parent pack from abigail burd, lcsw, ergobaby and orbitbaby

Enter the contest below, and by subscribing to my monthly newsletter, you could win:

24 08, 2014

Social Change on a Policy Level is Needed to Ease Pressures on New Moms and Dads

By |2019-11-18T14:30:58-08:00August 24th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

The American Sociological Association recently released a paper: “Nature and Culture: Lay Accounts of Perinatal Mental Health Disorders.” In it, Carrie Wendel-Hummell, a University of Kansas doctoral candidate in sociology, reports that it is not just hormones playing a role, but societal factors. She presented her study on perinatal mental health disorders at the 109th Annual Meeting of the American Sociological Association.

For more, see this article adapted by Medical News Today from the original press release.

My two cents?

I majored in both psychology and sociology in college, and tend to look at a person in the context of their world, so this resonates with my view. I love that she mentioned the pressures on not just moms but dads as well. Also discussed are the various pressures on both working class and middle class families. There is an utter lack […]

9 08, 2014

Natural Family Fair Ticket Giveaway!

By |2019-11-18T14:30:59-08:00August 9th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Giveaways/Free Resources, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , |5 Comments

I’m excited to be a vendor at the 5th annual Natural Family Fair. And I’m very excited to have tickets to giveaway. Just for subscribers of my monthly newsletter, I have four tickets to the fair. Not a subscriber, yet? No problem! You can still sign up and enter! (Don’t worry, I only send it out once a month and with the very best of my content for healthy living.)

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30 07, 2014

Save the Date: 9/14/14 Natural Family Fair

By |2019-11-18T14:31:00-08:00July 30th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment

I am honored to be accepted as a vendor at this year’s Natural Family Fair. I have enjoyed the Natural Baby Fair in years past, but this will be my first year having a table and representing my own therapy services. This year will be the best ever as Natural Baby Pros has teamed up with our family’s favorite band, Hullaballo, and Reproductive Wellness to present three events on one occasion.

natural family fair

I am looking forward to sharing with the Natural Family Fair attendees how I can help families trying to conceive, considering having a baby or adjusting to pregnancy. My mental health background gives me a solid expertise in helping adults overcome anxiety and depression and I specialize in the particular challenges […]

29 07, 2014

Postpartum Anxiety is More Common Than Postpartum Depression, But Rarely Screened

By |2019-11-18T14:31:00-08:00July 29th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: , , , , , , |2 Comments

Most people have heard of postpartum depression. With good reason. It affects 1 in 7 new mothers. But what about postpartum anxiety? Most studies document that this “other postpartum” mental health concern is even more common than PPD, with as many as 1 in 5 new moms struggling with postpartum anxiety. 1 in 5!

postpartum anxiety is common but we can make it better photo credit: sunset girl via unsplash

 

When suddenly a parent for the first time, there is much to worry about. I remember watching my first baby as a newborn sleep at night, worrying she would stop breathing in the middle of the night. And then there is breastfeeding… is baby getting enough milk? Is she gaining enough weight? Does he […]

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