Providing deep insight into maternal stress, this episode features special guest Concetta Ferretti - a mother with a background in biology and PhD in oncology; and the creator of @the.stressed.species Instagram account. 

Concetta shares her journey through motherhood, particularly highlighting how her daughter's birth during the pandemic and resultant isolation intensified her stress experience. The conversation explores the scientific and biological underpinnings of stress, early life experiences and how these influences shape one’s coping mechanisms. Concetta emphasises the need for knowledge on stress physiology and coping strategies, touching upon neuroplasticity in motherhood and the potential for mothers to rewire their responses to stress.

Additionally, topics like birth trauma, perinatal mood disorders, and the importance of seeking support and self-care are discussed, alongside Concetta’s future plans in integrating her scientific knowledge with clinical therapy practice to support mothers through stress and chronic disorders.

00:00 Introduction

01:58 Concetta’s journey in understanding maternal stress

05:52 The biology of stress and it’s relationship with early life experiences

19:59 Understanding coping styles and their impact

38:11 The role of birth experiences in maternal stress

44:28 Empowering strategies to address maternal wellbeing

48:27 Where to follow Concetta’s work

Concetta Ferretti’s Bio

Concetta is a scientist with a background in Biology, a Ph.D. in Oncology, and research experience in chronic disorders. She is currently studying to become a Marriage and Family therapist with a medical specialization. She aims to understand how stress and early life experiences shape mental and physical health. Her work is trauma-informed and benefits from the latest findings in developmental neurobiology and interpersonal neuroscience. She shares her knowledge on Instagram, where she wants to empower mothers with science and wisdom to manage their stress and nurture their babies’ brain and attachment relationship.

Website

https://thestressedspecies.com/ 

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/the.stressed.species/

About Mandy Cai 

Mandy Cai is the mother of two wild-hearted children, certified Birth Educator and Founder of Making Mothers - an online community focused on supporting women to understand significance of birth on maternal wellbeing. She is also the creator of The Birth Experience Journal, a guided postpartum journal for mothers to honour, heal and transform their narratives around our most significant rite of passage. 

Join The Understanding Birth Trauma Course

https://makingmothers.myflodesk.com/birth-trauma-mini-course

Shop The Birth Experience Journal https://wearemakingmothers.com/products/the-birth-experience-journal 

Join The Making Mother's Community "The Sanctuary" https://community.wearemakingmothers.com/

Follow @makingmothers on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/makingmothers/

Website

https://wearemakingmothers.com