Gabriella Talks about Navigating the Loss of her Sister in the Postpartum Period Artwork

Perinatal Wellbeing - The Podcast about Prenatal, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health

Let's talk about Prenatal, Pregnancy and Postpartum health! This podcast is all about authentic conversations centred on Perinatal health and wellbeing; from mood and anxiety disorders, to breastfeeding challenges, to grief and loss in the Perinatal period and literally everything in between! This is the place to have real and honest conversations about these experiences so we can break down barriers to accessing treatment and crush stigma! I open these conversations up by sharing my knowledge as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional, interviewing others with lived experience and talking with colleagues who also work in the Perinatal field supporting clients and sharing their wisdom. You will walk away with more knowledge and understanding of the Perinatal period and ideas for coping with the many challenges that can come up in this period. You are not alone and there is a community of support waiting for you! For more information about Perinatal Wellbeing visit our website www.perinatalwellbeing.ca. If you want to submit a question to be answered on a future podcast please email me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca.

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Perinatal Wellbeing - The Podcast about Prenatal, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health

Gabriella Talks about Navigating the Loss of her Sister in the Postpartum Period

August 31, 2023 • Christine Cunningham • Season 2 • Episode 36

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Gabriella Carafa, MSW, PMH-C is a social worker, psychotherapist and consultant working with people in the perinatal period experiencing mental health issues as well as parents with disabilities. Gabriella welcomed her daughter 2 years ago and then at 3.5 months postpartum lost her sister to an opiate overdose. Gabriella shares her story of love and loss while trying to juggle adjusting to parenthood and grieving the loss of her sister simultaneously. I’m so grateful to Gabriella for sharing her story in a vulnerable and authentic way.

Content Warning: Death, grief, opiate overdose, substance use/misuse, addiction, trauma

Highlights:

1:52 - Gabriella introduces herself and how professional and personal lives intersect

4:09 - Gabriella shares her story of becoming a parent and about her relationship with her sister

10:00 - Feeling guilt about her sister’s journey and passing (might have to edit some out here)

13:59 - Gabriella’s postpartum experience and heightened anxiety

17:41 - Gabriella’s sister passed away

24:14 - Grief in the postpartum period and having to be grateful because there was a baby

38:48 - Having compassion for her sister and herself

44:23 - Grief in the perinatal period related to loss and becoming a parent

52:15 - How losing her sister impacted her postpartum period

1:06:04 - Grief rituals and making meaning post loss

1:17:05 - Gabriella shares her favourite memories of her sister

Resources mentioned in this episode:

You can reach Gabriella by email at gcarafa.rsw@gmail.com

You can find us at www.perinatalwellbeing.ca on Instagram @perinatalwellbeing_ontario or by email info@perinatalwellbeing.ca

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed in this or any episode please reach out to me at info@perinatalwellbeing.ca and I can help you find support in your area or online.

Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for more information about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders as well as free online support groups and a provider directory.

You can look for an individual therapist on www.psychologytoday.com .

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