Welcome back to The Momma's Lounge for Part 3 of my conversation with Naomi! Today, we're breaking down a topic that catches many couples off guard and often goes unaddressed: paternal perinatal anxiety (PPA). We shift the spotlight to the very real mental health shifts fathers go through, as Naomi opens up about her husband Cameron’s intense worry—from Titanic-induced stress right before her water broke to those first sleepless nights.

I also share my own vulnerable 32-hour marathon birth story, detailing how my husband, Drew, reached a breaking point under the heavy weight of providing for a new family, only to face a dismissive hospital social worker when we tried to seek support. Together, we discuss our partners' battles with panic attacks, validate the overlooked struggles fathers face, and share where to find resources. Tune in to learn how couples can support each other through the unpredictable postpartum trenches, and remember that you are absolutely not alone in this journey.

(Stay tuned: In a few days, we will release Part 4, where we discuss the complex challenge of navigating gender roles in modern parenting and the spiritual insights that have brought us peace!)

Chronological Audio Markers

00:37 Welcome back! Introducing the unexpected reality of husbands getting postpartum anxiety.

01:05 Transitioning to fatherhood: What Cameron’s PPA looked like

05:00 Naomi’s reaction to her husband's Anxiety

06:57 The statistics: Exploring the reality that 10% of husbands experience perinatal depression alongside their wives.

08:06 Camille’s birth story: A 40-week induction, epidural stalls, and 3-hours of pushing during an all-nighter.

14:00 Anxiety from pulling a 32+ hour wake window & Drew’s postpartum panic: Facing job uncertainty, housing loss, and the dismissal of a hospital social worker.

16:30 The postpartum duality: Experiencing overwhelming anxiety and profound love at the exact same time.

17:10 Mental health resources for dads and a sneak peek into Chapter 4.

Resources Mentioned

Postpartum Support International (PSI): postpartum.net