Baby brain: understanding the psychological labour of pregnancy


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Oct 30 2024 67 mins   5

Please take care while listening to this episode. Especially if you have experienced pregnancy loss, infertility or if you are currently experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, as the content in this episode may be triggering.

This episode also discusses eating disorders and body image. Please skip this episode if this is triggering for you.


We start this episode with sharing what we wish we knew when we were pregnant that we know now and what would I go back and tell myself?

Pregnancy is a really big deal and it's a unique experience for each individual.

This episode is jam packed as we deep dive into the psychological labour of pregnancy!

We explore the following:

  • Antenatal anxiety + depression - The fear begins when we’re pregnant
  • Constant worry and fear of "is everything okay" - we don't know what we don't know
  • Feeling a huge load, heaviness, and demand
  • Loss of control and overwhelm with change
  • People pleasing and perfectionism during pregnancy
  • Social narratives and boundaries during this time – being physically touched, having your commented on etc.
  • Body image and disordered eating
  • Identity shifts
  • Loneliness
  • Shame - I do not feel any joy in this pregnancy, I don't feel like I'm doing anything right, self-doubt with experience, is there something wrong with me?
  • Expectations vs reality - not the magical experience I expected it to be
  • Feeling overwhelmed and bombarded with all of this information – what do I do with all of this information.
  • Disconnect with partner: "we're having a baby" but it's happening to me and feeling like you can't understand


let us know your thoughts on this episode!!

Aimee + Kat

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Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.