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The Invisible Mental Load - Why Mothers Are Breaking Down EP 238

Postpartum University® Podcast

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Your postpartum clients aren't just "busy"—they're breaking down. Here's the truth your assessments are missing: The invisible mental load is a chronic state of cognitive overload that's hijacking her body.

This isn't a failure of willpower; it's a physiological response to chronic stress that causes everything from unexplained anxiety and low milk supply to pelvic pain and insomnia. Maranda reveals how this unacknowledged cognitive burden triggers the HPA axis, shuts down nervous system regulation, and creates a cascade of physical symptoms. Every postpartum provider—from lactation consultants to functional health experts—must recognize this root cause. Stop treating the symptoms (the fatigue, the rage, the anxiety) and start addressing the overload. Learn the red flags and the Postpartum Restoration Method framework to deliver the lasting solutions your clients desperately need.

Check out the episode on the blog HERE: https://postpartumu.com/podcast/the-invisible-mental-load-why-mothers-are-breaking-down-ep-238/

Key time stamps:

  • 1:03 - Defining The Invisible Mental Load & The Shocking Case of Low Milk Supply
  • 3:33 - The Physiology of Cognitive Overload: HPA Axis and Systemic Effects
  • 6:53 - Clinical Patterns Providers Miss: The Hyper-Vigilant Manager, Overwhelmed Perfectionist, and Depleted Default Parent
  • 9:37 - Pelvic Floor Tension & The Bonding "Disconnection"
  • 22:15 - The Red Flags and "Better Questions" for Assessment

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Chapters

1. The Postpartum Care Gap (00:00:00)

2. Defining The Invisible Mental Load (00:01:03)

3. Case Study: Low Supply, High Overload (00:01:21)

4. Physiology Of Cognitive Overload (00:03:33)

5. Clinical Patterns Providers Miss (00:06:53)

6. Pelvic Floor Case And Insights (00:09:37)

7. Disconnection Or Protective Shutdown (00:11:40)

8. Decision Fatigue And Food (00:14:27)

9. Why Postpartum Is Uniquely Vulnerable (00:16:07)

10. The Restoration Method Assessment (00:18:27)

11. Practical Interventions That Work (00:20:17)

12. Red Flags And Better Questions (00:22:15)

13. Reframing Care And Next Steps (00:24:07)

14. Closing And Calls To Action (00:25:19)

245 episodes

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