PFWC in the News

 
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What People Get Wrong About The 'Golden Hour' After Birth

Skin-to-skin contact is important. But sometimes it's oversold.

“We tend to portray these parts of parenting as necessary in a way that sets us up for a lot of despair if those things don’t happen,” Kate Kripke, founder of Colorado’s Postpartum Wellness Center of Boulder, told HuffPost.

HUFFPOST February 2022


 
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How men hurt and grieve over miscarriage, too

Typically, because women are the ones carrying the fetus, miscarriages are perceived to be biopsychosocial in nature — that is, they affect moms biologically, psychologically and socially.

But fathers experience acute loss as well, said Kate Kripke, founder and director of the Postpartum Wellness Center in Boulder, Colorado. Theirs is psychosocial, without the biology.

"When you think about the progression of conversations and research around all of the pregnancy related-challenges families face, it's somewhat remarkable that the dialog still excludes the male perspective," said Kripke, a licensed clinical social worker.

CNN HEALTH. SEPTEMBER 2021

 

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COVID-19 AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF FAMILIES: What You Need to Know

Kate Kripke, LCSW, PMH-C

I am in the field of maternal mental health, which means that I have the skills and tools to stay healthy and well. But you see, no mother- no parent- is immune to the undeniable pressures that have come with COVID 19.

>> Denver Parent march 2021



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2020 Was Relentless For Parents. In 2021, It's Time To Put Ourselves First.

I’m burnt out — and I’m not alone. Seventy percent of American parents report that their family responsibilities are a significant source of daily stress, while 60% say they are extremely stressed out by the economy, Parents aren’t complaining. We are exhausted. We were prepared to take care of our kids, and we love to do it — but we weren’t prepared to take care of our kids while working full time and overseeing six hours of remote school a day with little to no outside support and coping with a pandemic and a recession.>> huffpost DEC 2020


Humanizing Motherhood

Today’s guest is Kate Kripke, Lcsw- an incredible woman who has been creating ripples in the world of postpartum wellness for over a decade,

We dive into some important conversations around maternal mental health, self-care as women and mothers, staying upright during these times, letting go of the expectation of feeling good, and treating each woman individually and holistically depending on their needs. >> embodied & awake podcast with Alison Rothman MA


Postpartum Depression And Anxiety Are Huge Problems. COVID-19 Is Making Them Worse

“It’s almost like this pandemic is creating a system where we’re setting women up to develop depression and anxiety postpartum,” said Kate Kripke, founder of Colorado’s Postpartum Wellness Center of Boulder. >> Huffpost 2020


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Why the New Postpartum Depression Drug is Potentially a Very Big Deal

It’s expensive, but it could treaT severE PPD in two days. >> HuffPost | Parenting


Why breastfeeding Guilt is so Hard to Shake

When is it ok to stop breastfeeding? whenever you need to.


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NICU Moms Are Struggling with Mental Health Programs and They Aren’t Getting Help

Up to 70% may suffer from postpartum depression.

A few weeks into her third trimester, Stephanie May, 32, called her OB-GYN. Her back hurt and she was having cramps, all of which sounded fairly typical to the doctor on call. He suggested…


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We Need to Talk More About Depression During Pregnancy

Inside the hidden pain of prenatal depression

In the last decade, awareness about postpartum depression and anxiety has blossomed. Support communities have sprung up. Celebrities like Hayden Panettiere and Drew Barrymore have revealed their personal struggles. Public health officials. . .


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Can you Get Postpartum Depression After the First Year?

Lately I have received numerous calls from moms whose kiddos are past the one-year mark. A couple of recent calls have been from moms whose kiddos are as “old” as 3. These moms always start the same way: “My son/daughter is almost (1, 2, 3), and so I know that I don’t have postpartum depression.

 

 
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Postpartum Depression Isn’t Normal, It’s Complicated

When a friend says postpartum depression is normal, I get disappointed.

When a psychologist says postpartum depression is normal, I get worried.

When a New York Times best selling author and former U.S. congressional candidate with hundreds of thousands of followers says that postpartum depression is normal, I get livid.


Normal Postpartum Adjustment and PMADs: Understanding the Difference

Normal Postpartum Adjustment and PMADs: Understanding the Difference Presented by Kate Kripke, LCSW Maternal Wellness Summit: Addressing Perinatal Mood Disor...

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Normal Postpartum Adjustment vs. Postpartum Mood Disorders

I was recently asked to speak about the difference between normal postpartum adjustment and perinatal mental illness at a Maternal Wellness Summit in Denver. My first reaction was, “Sure. That is simple. I know this like the back of my hand.”

 

When she was first diagnosed, one the clearest thoughts to flash through Schroeder’s mind was that there was no way she would ever have another child. She had suffered too much. But by the time her daughter turned 1, Schroeder began to cautiously dream about diving back into pregnancy.
— Huff Post | Parents
 
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The Gut-Wrenching Choices Women Face When Contemplating Pregnancy After PPD

Deciding whether to try for another baby after postpartum depression is so complex


 
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10 Things to Know about Psychotherapy

Treatment for PPD

Every time a mom in distress calls me to schedule a new therapy appointment, I am reminded of the courage that this takes. Society just doesn’t set us up for the reality of needing this type of support after having a baby. Women are led to envision romantic moments around breastfeeding, moments cradling a swaddled baby who sleeps peacefully with a light smile on her lips, loving and contented embraces with partners, and sweet jaunts through the park with a baby carriage in which a baby lies peacefully.