The Follow-Up: Dads and Postpartum

We talk a lot about maternal mental health postpartum. But we do not talk enough about dads. In this episode, my husband joins me for an honest conversation about paternal mental health, birth trauma, pressure, and what it felt like to become a father while navigating medical complications and the early days of the pandemic. We discuss the silent expectations placed on fathers to be “the strong one,” to go back to work quickly, to provide, and to hold everything together — often without anyone asking how they are actually doing. This episode is about normalizing the fact that postpartum mental health affects both parents. We talk about: • Why paternal mental health is often overlooked • The impact of traumatic birth experiences on dads • The pressure to return to work quickly, especially in medicine • Sleep deprivation, financial stress, and identity shifts • How the pandemic intensified anxiety for healthcare workers • Why therapy is not just for crisis, but for maintenance • Reparenting yourself while parenting your children • How prioritizing mental health makes you a more present partner and parent Want more? Listen to the full, ⁠⁠⁠original episode⁠⁠⁠. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠⁠⁠⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices