In this episode of the Sad Moms Club, we talk to certified sex therapist and LCSW Alex Brown. She emphasizes the significance of open communication, assertiveness, and embracing pleasure in sexual relationships. The discussion also covers practical topics like dealing with differences in sexual desire, postpartum challenges, and the importance of prioritizing intimacy. Alex provides valuable insights into tools like sensate focus and educates listeners on breaking negative sexual narratives.

If you'd like to work with Alex, click here for her website and here for her Psychology Today profile.

Books she recommends:

• Shameless Parenting by Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers
• Becoming Cliterate by Dr. Laurie Mintz, Ph.D
• Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoksi Ph.D.

Podcast episodes she recommends:

• Come As You Are: Emily Nagoski
• Pillow Talks by Vanessa and Xander Marin

These are specific Pillow Talks episodes that Alex shares with her clients often:

• Episode 12: How to Let Your Partner Love Your Body - Even If You Don't
• Episode 13: How to Handle Rejection When Your Partner Says No To Sex
• Episode 17: How to Allow Yourself To Receive In The Bedroom
• Episode 146: Are You Nagging? Or Is Your Partner Being Childish?

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In this episode of The Sad Moms Club, we are joined by Des Ferrin, a maternal near miss survivor and birth trauma patient advocate for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Des shares her personal story of postpartum complications and resultant birth trauma. We explore her efforts to bridge the gap between birth trauma and maternal mental health in Utah, including her work with the Utah Women’s Newborn Quality Collaborative. We discuss the importance of a supportive environment for mothers, effective communication in healthcare, and innovative approaches to improving maternal mental health care.

02:47 Desiree's Birth Trauma Story Begins

05:02 Complications After Delivery

08:00 The Hemorrhage and Emergency Response

14:28 Facing a Hysterectomy

32:40 Miraculous Survival and Recovery

34:12 Mental Health Challenges and Seeking Help

40:47 Finding the Right Therapist

46:27 The Importance of Connection and Support

52:57 Advocating for Better Maternal Health Care

01:04:05 Final Thoughts and Hope for the Future

If you have had a traumatic birth while living in Utah, feel free to email Des to discuss setting up a 45 minute interview to share your story and ideas of what would have helped. Her email is dferrin@utah.gov.

If you need help finding a therapist in Utah, go to this website (be sure to filter by your insurance!). Always feel free to reach out and ask for help finding a therapist through my DMs.

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Hey y'all! In this episode of the Sad Moms Club I talk to Jennie Houtz, an LCSW specializing in perinatal mental health, sex therapy, trauma, and anxiety. We discuss setting all kinds of postpartum boundaries that can be helpful to set prior to birth. Jennie shares practical tips and a detailed worksheet to help new moms navigate these conversations. They also discuss the significance of self-care and maintaining one's identity after becoming a mother. Listen for helpful advice on how to set empowering boundaries and emotionally support both birthing and non-birthing partners.

00:00: Introduction to Jennie Houtz

00:43 Postpartum Boundaries: A Crucial Conversation

04:00 Navigating Childcare and Career as a Working Mom

05:51 The Mental Load and Resentment in Parenting

13:35 Setting Boundaries: Tips and Strategies

36:28 Health Considerations for Visitors

37:31 Setting Boundaries for Help and Support

39:16 Child and Pet Care Planning

40:25 Personal Space and Privacy

42:20 Handling Parenting Advice

46:12 Social Media Boundaries

49:51 Communication and Sensitive Topics

01:23 Emotional Support and Partner Relationship

01:00:57 Work, Career, and Self-Care

01:08:11 Conclusion and Resources

Resources

• Postpartum Boundaries Worksheet downloadable PDF
• Contact Jennie Houtz. Serving all of Utah via teletherapy.
• Paternal Mental Health Training. PSI-UTAH is proud to announce that we will hosting the Paternal Mental Health Training on September 12-13, 2024 at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. We are excited to see you there!

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

In this episode of the Sad Moms Club, we talk to Amanda from Measure the Placenta, who shares the emotional story of her daughter Junie, a full-term stillbirth. She shares the details of the pregnancy and the birth of her daughter. Since losing Junie, Amanda has become an advocate for various practices that can prevent stillbirth including placental measurement, monitoring fetal movements, and advocating for yourself.

00:00 Introduction to Amanda

03:10 Amanda's Personal Journey and Family

04:16 The Missteps in Junie's Pregnancy Care

12:01 The Day Junie Passed Away

17:26 Coping with Loss and Finding Support

21:32 The Birth and Aftermath

32:08 Reflecting on Grief and Celebration

34:21 Navigating Social Reactions and Support

34:58 The Role of Instagram in Grieving

36:12 The Significance of Orange

39:06 Helpful and Unhelpful Gestures

47:07 The Ongoing Impact of Loss

49:52 Stillbirth Prevention and Advocacy

54:21 The Importance of Measuring the Placenta

59:07 Advocating for Change in Medical Practices

01:06:02 Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources:

• Measure the Placenta Instagram and Website
• Push Pregnancy
• Count The Kicks Instagram and Website
• Healthy Birthday
• The Importance of Placenta Measurements in Prenatal Care: Here's the Research
• Merwin’s EPV calculator App
• How to measure EPV
• Amanda's Instagram @orangeafmama

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In this episode, Dr. Dan Johnson, a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy, discusses his journey into this specialized field and the founding of Keystone Physical Therapy located in Kaysville and Millcreek, Utah. Originally driven by personal experiences with pelvic pain and his wife's postpartum challenges, Dan emphasizes the importance of addressing pelvic floor dysfunctions in both men and women. He explains common concerns such as pain, bowel and bladder issues, and intimacy problems, outlining various treatments including manual therapy, dry needling, and radio wave therapy. Dr. Johnson also highlights the need for early intervention and continuous care during pregnancy and postpartum periods, advocating for a more integrated and supportive approach to pelvic health.

If you're interested in working with Dr. Dan Johnson, you can contact him through the website or through texting or calling their business phone number 801-204-9204.

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Today we speak with Josie White and Allie McGee from South Valley Services, a nonprofit specializing in domestic violence support. They talk about the prevalence of abuse, different types of abuse, warning signs, and available resources for those in abusive relationships. They emphasize the importance of creating a safety plan and seeking help from local and national hotlines. The episode also provides guidance for friends and family on how to support loved ones experiencing abuse.

Resources:

• Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
• 24-Hour Utah LINK-line: 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• South Valley Services
• The Climb in Salt Lake City

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Rachel Garret is a licensed foster parent, certified Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Associate Program Director for Trauma Informed Utah, a former high school teacher and Hope Squad Advisor, and a founder and Executive Director of a non-profit. She shares various facets of life, including her journey to becoming a CASA and a foster parent, the challenges and transformations within the foster care system, and Rachel's own journey through motherhood, professional development, and self-discovery.

Resources:

• Common Thread
• Trauma-Informed Utah
• What Happened to You? book by Oprah and Dr. Bruce Perry
• The Deepest Well by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
• Dr. Lisa Damour’s work
• Imperfectly Good: Navigating Religious and Moral Anxiety to Release Fear and Find Peace by Annabella Hagen
• Rachel’s Instagram: @rachgarrett
• Common Thread's Instagram: @commonthread_community

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

This episode features a discussion with care coordinators Carrie Martinez-Wolf and Eric Christensen from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The conversation illuminates the role of care coordinators in connecting Utah families with children, especially those ages zero to eight and those with special needs, to a plethora of resources.

These resources range from developmental supports to basic needs like food and housing, all offered free of charge and accessible to anyone in need, without regard to immigration status or location within Utah. The care coordinators emphasize the importance of making these resources known to families and providers, highlighting their role in facilitating connections to services such as early intervention, home visiting programs, SNAP, and TANF, among others.

The episode aims to spread awareness about the available support and underline the message that families are not alone in addressing their challenges.

If you would like to connect with Care Coordinators, start by contacting them through one of three ways:

Email: Care.coordination@utah.gov

Call their number: 801-273-2804

Fill out this survey.

01:34 Introducing the Care Coordinators: Eric and Carrie's Stories

05:24 The Heart of Care Coordination: Connecting Families to Resources

07:17 Personal Motivations: Why Eric and Carrie Do What They Do

12:24 Exploring the Scope of Care Coordination Services

16:01 Deep Dive into Zero to Eight Care Coordination

21:36 Making Connections: How Families Access Services

22:27 Navigating Support for Children with Special Healthcare Needs

22:40 Understanding Disability Determination and Support Programs

23:51 The Role of Care Coordinators in Simplifying Processes

25:07 Exploring Waiver Programs and Their Benefits

26:28 Assistance Beyond Healthcare: Housing, TANF, and SNAP

28:12 Integrating Support Systems for Families

28:46 Spotlight on the Utah Parent Center

31:53 The Children's Center: Focused Support for Young Children

35:11 Expanding Access to Care Coordination Services

38:56 Closing Thoughts: The Impact of Community Support

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club

Follow along on The Sad Moms Club's Instagram: @the.sad.moms.club