312: Intrusive Thoughts and COVID with a Newborn with Jackie Werboff, LMHC, PMH-C

The height of the COVID pandemic caused so much fear and anxiety, all for good reason. The moms who gave birth and faced postpartum difficulties during this time were under immense pressure to try to keep themselves and their babies safe.  For many, it ended up being the perfect storm that led to perinatal mental health crises. Join us to hear our guest’s story. Jackie Werboff is a licensed mental health therapist in private practice in Florida.  When she became a mother in 2021, her specialization was in treating complex and developmental trauma. After her experience, she earned her certification in perinatal mental health and began working with mothers, birthing persons, and their families. In today’s episode, she shares the medical and emotional experience she had with COVID at just two weeks postpartum, which sparked undiagnosed depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, along with much worry and fear. Jackie explains how she dealt with returning to work after maternity leave when some of her symptoms returned and what it was like to go into a second pregnancy after so many difficulties the first time.  Show Highlights: How Jackie experienced her first child’s birth in 2021 in the middle of a COVID reemergence in Florida–and got COVID at two weeks postpartum How her breastfeeding was affected by her illness until her milk was gone How Jackie’s physical and mental health declined to a scary and dark place with intrusive thoughts, trouble breathing, and an emergency hospitalization How Jackie’s husband had to take short-term leave from work to care for their son, who also tested positive for COVID while Jackie was hospitalized How Jackie’s #1 motivation was to get better to go back home to her baby How things began to improve after a few weeks, with her baby feeling better, sleeping better, and the miraculous return of her milk How Jackie felt shame as a professional therapist with mental health symptoms and about her “inability to parent” How Jackie’s husband supported her and checked in with her frequently because she felt overwhelmed and emotionally fragile How therapy helped Jackie make the tough choice to shift out of treatment center work into private practice Why Jackie decided to become certified in perinatal mental health How Jackie is feeling more prepared now during her second pregnancy Resources: Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! Connect with Jackie Werboff Wide Awake Counseling Website