Postpartum, Body Image, and Eating Disorders with Pam Skop LMHC, CEDS, RYT
Pregnancy is beautiful (for some). Postpartum is raw.
There is so much more to a person’s fertility journey than just pregnancy. But there seems to be a universal narrative surrounding pregnancy - the glow, the anticipation, the miracle of life. But what about what comes next?
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As a mother myself, I've experienced firsthand the pressures of bounce-back culture. It's everywhere - from social media ads to casual conversations. The expectation to quickly return to your pre-pregnancy body after carrying a human for 40 weeks and giving birth is, quite frankly, absurd.
But beyond the superficial focus on body image lies a plethora of postpartum challenges. From the physical changes to the hormonal rollercoaster and the emotional upheaval, it's a lot to navigate. Each woman's postpartum journey is unique, and shaped by individual experiences and circumstances. There's no one-size-fits-all approach.
So let's shift the narrative. Let's dive deeper into the complexities of postpartum life, acknowledging the beauty and the struggle, the triumphs and the setbacks. Because every story deserves to be heard, and every experience valued.
In this episode, I am joined by Pam Skop. She is a licensed mental health counselor, certified eating disorder specialist, registered yoga teacher, and a postpartum doula. Together, we're breaking down the taboo, shedding light on the raw, real, and often challenging journey of postpartum life. We’re diving into the physical, hormonal, and emotional rollercoaster that is postpartum.
Pam Skop is a licensed mental health counselor, certified eating disorder specialist, registered yoga teacher, and postpartum doula. Pam owns EveryBody Psychotherapy NYC, a psychotherapy private practice in New York City focusing on working with those with eating disorders, disordered eating, body image, trauma, and the perinatal period from a holistic, individualized, and embodied approach.
She has worked in a variety of different settings prior to her private practice and currently runs support groups in NYC supporting parents throughout different phases of their parenting journey. Pam is very passionate about HAES, intuitive eating, and the intersection between these principles and the postpartum period. She strongly believes in the connection between the mind and body and is a perpetual student always learning about new ways to use the mind-body connection in supporting her clients in their healing journeys.
In this episode, we’re talking about:
Postpartum is a challenging period, with physical, hormonal, and emotional changes.
“Bounce back” culture after giving birth.
The significant physiological changes the body experiences during and after pregnancy, including the creation and removal of the placenta.
Hormonal changes and how they contribute to emotional fluctuations.
The postpartum period extends beyond immediate recovery to include the first 1-2 years after childbirth.
The difference in recovery between vaginal birth and cesarean section (C-section).
The stigma around C-sections and how it can impact emotional well-being.
Challenges of the physical adjustments the body undergoes.
Understanding and managing expectations about postpartum recovery.
Having an individualized approach to postpartum movement and exercise.
Emotional challenges during the postpartum period.
Awareness of postpartum mental health issues.
The complexities of breastfeeding and its impact on body image.
The shift towards empowering individuals to make decisions about their postpartum journey.
The need for a supportive network and professional help during the postpartum period.
Tweetable Quotes
"There's obviously so much to any person's fertility journey, whether it starts from way, way, way before anybody gets pregnant." - Rachelle Heinemann
“There's so much more that's going on with a woman's body postpartum, whether it's physically, hormonally, emotionally, I mean, you name it, there is a ton." - Rachelle Heinemann
"Your body might not ever go back and I think is so, so difficult." - Rachelle Heinemann
"I love that we're talking about this idea of expectation because I think so much of where this can be challenging for people and where sort of like emotional struggles come in is when the expectation and the reality do not match up to each other." - Pam Skop
"It takes a village, that's sort of what everybody knows. And so it is important to reach out for more support." - Rachelle Heinemann
Resources
Grab the replay of my Basics of Assessment and Early Treatment of Eating Disorder Webinar
Connect with Pam here: https://everybodypsychotherapynyc.com/
https://helloalma.com/providers/pamela-skop/
Related Episodes
Episode 124. The Beauty Ideal with Nechami Tennenbaum, MBA
Episode 119. Eating Disorders Don’t Have a Look
Episode 110. Body Positivity is a Farce
Episode 98. Body Stuff with Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani
Episode 77. How to Accept Your Body
Episode 76. The Basics of Health at Every Size
Episode 66. But What's Wrong With Wanting to Lose Weight?
Episode 65. 7 Tips for Positive Body Image
Episode 64. When Words Fail and Bodies Speak with Tom Wooldridge PsyD, ABPP, FIPA, CEDS-S
Episode 24. Eating Disorders in College with Courtney Vickery MS, RD, LD
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Hey there! I’m Rachelle, the host of the Understanding Disordered Eating Podcast. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with clients to make sense of life’s messy emotional experiences.
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