>>> Click here to download my FREE Mental Health Postpartum Checklist that walks you through creating a personalized mental health support system and allows you to feel more confident and relaxed, knowing you have a plan for whatever your unique postpartum experience may be. <<<     Joining me this week is clinical psychologist and the author of Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain, Dr. Nicole Pensak. Together we have an enlightening conversation that not only acknowledges the challenges of motherhood but also celebrates the incredible strength and potential it brings.    In this episode, we explore:   Matrescence: Understanding the profound transition into motherhood and its impact on the brain’s neuroplasticity.   Silent Patients: Recognizing the often-overlooked mental health needs of mothers and advocating for better support systems. (Plus, how to do that for yourself until society catches up.)   Neuroplasticity as a Superpower: How the brain's adaptability can be harnessed for personal growth and improved cognitive functioning in mothers.   Motherhood as a Normative "Trauma": Addressing the intense, transformative nature of motherhood and reframing it as a period of growth and strength   Connection, Bonding, and Burnout: Practical tips for navigating the emotional rollercoaster of early motherhood, from bonding with your baby to managing the transition back to work.     Tune in to learn how to navigate motherhood with self compassion, resilience, and empowerment.       LEARN MORE ABOUT NICOLE: https://www.drnicoleamoyalpensak.com/   GET NICOLE'S BOOK: Rattled: How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain   INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR OF PARENTHOOD? Click HERE to sign up for my FREE workshop, Confident Parenting from the Start, to get tools and strategies that you can put into practice right away to challenge self-doubt, put an end to your panic-Googling, and finally find the ease and enjoyment in early parenthood!