During pregnancy and birth a certain level of anxiety is to be expected as much is unknown and many things change. However it’s important to note ways depression and anxiety can manifest. A common way for it to appear during this time of life is a lack of trust in one’s self, one’s body, ability to birth and parent, and a desire to take control of all aspects of the experiences. For many this gets coupled with years of fertility issues and loss leading a lot of expectant parents to find themselves overwhelmed.
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatrist, Carly Snyder, M.D. She addresses these concerns and offers pregnant people tools they can use to trust the pregnancy process and soften the need to control pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Carly also addresses the usage of anxiety and depression medication during pregnancy and postpartum.
In this episode you will learn:
- About Dr. Snyder and how she decided to focus on reproductive and perinatal psychiatry.
- The prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy.
- Medication usage during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Signs of anxiety and depression.
- What is within the “normal” range of anxiety and depression.
- When to ask for help.
- Dr. Snyder offers ways pregnant people can start to trust the pregnancy process. Especially for those who had difficulty in conceiving or multiple miscarriages which may leave a person distrustful of their body.
- Fear that exercise or yoga can hurt your baby, how to address that and how to find classes/instructors you can trust.
- Instilling confidence there is little a pregnant person can do with pregnancy appropriate movement and exercise that will hurt their baby.
- Strategies for people to approach their birth with openness and loosen their grip on control.
- Discussing fears, concerns, and history of anxiety and depression with your care provider to ensure you’re getting the support you need during pregnancy and birth.
- Building confidence in your parenting skills from caring for your newborn to milk supply.
- Different tools and support someone can use to help their anxiety and depression.
- One tip/piece of advice Carly has for new or expectant parents.
- Where to find Dr. Carly Snyder’s work.
About Dr. Snyder:
Carly Snyder, M.D. is a Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatrist who melds traditional psychiatry with a holistic touch. Dr. Snyder received her medical degree from NYU School of Medicine and completed her general psychiatry residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center with additional reproductive psychiatry elective training at the Payne Whitney Women’s Program NY Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. She maintains a private practice on the Upper East Side in NYC. Dr. Snyder is voluntary faculty at NY-Presbyterian Weill Cornell and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Centers.
Dr. Snyder is on the Advisory Council and is a former board member for Postpartum Support International, and is on the board for Help Us Adopt. Dr. Snyder is also on the Verywell Medical Review Board and a member of the Independent Doctors of New York, Robyn network, and Women’s Mental Health Consortium.
Among many other honors and awards, Dr. Snyder was recently named a 2021 New York Super Doctors Rising Star for the third consecutive year. She is a regular contributor and oft-cited expert for many popular parenting websites and news outlets. Her radio show, MDforMoms, streams live weekly and is available as a podcast. Original writing is on her website, Medium, and HuffPost blog, among others.
Dr. Snyder lives in NYC and the North Fork with her husband and three children. Beyond anything else, she appreciates time with her family. She also enjoys skiing, gardening, and running marathons. For more information, please go to her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Connect with Dr. Snyder:
- Instagram: @mdformoms
- Facebook: @CarlySnyderMD
- Twitter: @CarlySnyderMD
- Website: www.carlysnydermd.com
If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center