The Need for Open Conversations about Postpartum

In this episode, host Victoria Lauture Duncker interviews her guest Tanji Garcia about her journey to motherhood at the age of 40. They discuss the pressure and expectations of having kids in their 20s and how it influenced their relationships. Tanji opens up about the challenges of infertility and the emotional journey of fertility treatments. They touch on topics such as the first night with a newborn, struggles with breastfeeding, and the recognition and healing of postpartum depression and the impact of social media on the perception of motherhood. Overall, they encourage open conversations about postpartum experiences and the need for self-compassion and understanding. Takeaways The pressure and expectations of having children in your 20s can influence relationship decisions and create feelings of disappointment. Personal challenges and experiences shape our expectations of marriage and family life. Infertility and fertility treatments can be emotionally challenging, but they can also lead to the joy of having a baby. Age should not define our ability to be good parents or experience the joys of motherhood. Motherhood is challenging and requires support and self-care. Breastfeeding struggles are common, and it's important to seek help and not feel guilty. Postpartum depression is a real and valid experience that should be recognized and addressed. Balancing motherhood and personal identity is a journey that requires self-reflection and self-compassion. Social media can create unrealistic expectations and it's important to prioritize mental health over comparison. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Long-Time Friendship and Working Together 02:03 Family Background and Cultural Differences 03:04 Influence of Parent's Marriage 03:47 Influence of Family Life on Partner and Marriage Expectations 06:08 Pressure and Expectations of Having Kids in 20s 07:46 Learning to Work Through Relationship Problems 09:11 Dealing with Disappointment and Stigma of Having Kids Later in Life 09:43 Navigating Life as a Single Person 10:40 Overcoming Personal Challenges and Learning Interpersonal Communication 12:44 Desire for Warmth and Family Dynamics 13:56 Perceptions of Age and Motherhood 15:25 Challenges and Timing of Starting a Family 16:28 Rekindling the Relationship and Proposal 19:23 Struggles with Infertility and Fertility Treatments 26:35 Joy of Having a Baby Through IVF 36:58 The Reality of Motherhood 37:50 The First Night with a Newborn 38:50 Lack of Support 39:23 Challenges of Being an Older Mom 40:20 The Importance of a Support System 41:50 Struggles with Breastfeeding 43:32 Recognizing Postpartum Depression 47:21 Journey of Healing from Postpartum Depression 52:00 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Identity 55:53 Letting Go of the Past 57:18 The Pressure to Be Perfect 58:11 The Importance of Self-Care 01:01:00 The Impact of Social Media 01:06:18 The Need for Open Conversations about Postpartum For more info visit: Youtube: @newmommyat40podcast  Instagram: @newmommyat40 www.newmommyat40podcast.com