The final episode of a multipart series of a new mother’s experience with postpartum mania includes an interview with Candice’s husband, Anthony. Anthony is the first dad we’ve had on the show!! Thank you Anthony for coming on and being so vulnerable sharing your thoughts and emotions as a new dad.
In this episode, Anthony starts by sharing his perspective supporting Candice through birth including what he would do differently. He shares what he thought was the coolest part to witness during birth as well as what was most surprising/unexpected.
We discuss the nuances of what mainstream media portrays birth and early postpartum to be versus what our own experiences were like.
And then Anthony goes on to share his experience while Candice goes through a Postpartum Manic episode 1 week after having Lola. (If you haven’t had a chance to hear Candice’s perspective; she shares it in episodes 013-015).
Anthony opens up about his response to the situation and describes the pain and anger he was feeling as well as his fears and uncertainty of the future, questioning himself and his marriage.
Anthony describes leaning on his supports including his own mom and church community as he navigated being the sole caretaker of Lola during Candice’s hospital admission. He questions if the hospital actually worsened Candice’s mental state and describes advocating for Candice to be discharged from hospital. We conclude the episode discussing the power of solidarity and hearing Anthony’s favourite part of fatherhood.