Mom Brain with Dr. Nicole Pensak
“Mothers really are the ultimate caregivers, and we don’t have enough support for mothers,” says Dr. Nicole Pensak, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of “Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain.” In this episode, she sits down with Andrea Hecht to shed light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges that new mothers face.
Dr. Pensak draws on her extensive training at Yale and Harvard, as well as her personal experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety—challenges that were only intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her journey from struggling to thriving led her to write “Rattled” and offer free resources on Instagram, aiming to support mothers during this transformative period.
Dr. Pensak explains how the brain undergoes rapid changes postpartum, similar to those seen during adolescence. These changes, though overwhelming, actually prepare the brain for caregiving by enhancing mental flexibility, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Rather than viewing “mom brain” negatively, Dr. Pensak reframes it as a period of cognitive growth.
To manage postpartum mental health, Dr. Pensak offers practical strategies. She underscores the need to build a robust support system, including mental health professionals and social support groups, while also maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Self-care is crucial, as is the importance of taking breaks to safeguard mental well-being.
Quotes
“Mothers really are the ultimate caregivers, and we don’t have enough support for mothers.” (04:43 | Dr. Nicole Pensak)
“I wanted to bring forward the science and provide evidence-based information—the good information—because in the age of social media, there’s information overload, and it’s hard to distinguish between what’s signal and what’s noise. I wanted to get high-quality information out there to mothers to help them feel their best and give them a roadmap for this incredible and challenging phase of life.” (06:29 | Dr. Nicole Pensak)
“If you know something just doesn’t feel right, get the help. Seek it. Ask somebody. There’s no harm in asking someone for additional information… And it goes with anything—postpartum, anything. If something in your body or in the way that you’re operating just doesn’t feel right, ask someone. Don’t just chalk it up to, “Oh, I’m too tired,” or make excuses or whatever. I think it’s so important for everybody, but for mothers in particular, that we need to take care of ourselves and not feel guilty or ashamed for it because we’re the caregivers.” (15:22 | Andrea Hecht)
Links
Connect with Dr. Nicole Pensak:
https://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnikkipensak
To purchase "Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain”
https://www.amazon.com/Rattled-Anxiety-Power-Postpartum-Brain/dp/1682688305
Connect with your host, Andrea Hecht:
Connect with Andrea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullyinformedlifecoaching
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