The Back To Work Plan for Postpartum Moms

When most people think about doulas, they think about labor and delivery. But the truth is, some of the most meaningful support a mother can receive happens after the baby arrives. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll sits down with Chanda Bryant, founder of Crown + Cradle Doula Co., birth and postpartum doula, lactation educator, healthcare professional, and doctoral researcher focused on maternal and infant health disparities. Together, they explore the often-overlooked role doulas play in helping mothers navigate the emotional, physical, and mental challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. In this episode, you'll learn: • What a doula actually does—and why their role extends far beyond labor and delivery • How postpartum doulas support mothers during one of the most vulnerable transitions of life • The emotional realities of postpartum recovery that many women aren't prepared for • Why support systems matter and how they impact maternal well-being • Common challenges new moms face and how doulas help ease the transition • The importance of advocacy, culturally sensitive care, and maternal health equity • Insights from Chanda's doctoral research on maternal and infant health disparities • What gives her hope for the future of maternal care and support for mothers Whether you're currently pregnant, recently postpartum, or supporting a new mother in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder that motherhood was never meant to be navigated alone. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure during the postpartum period, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and empowered. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Connect with Chanda Bryant: Crown + Cradle Doula Co. https://www.crownandcradledoula.com Connect with Dr. Ashley Carroll: https://ghcounselinggroup.com

Postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than many women realize—yet conversations around treatment, especially psychiatric medication, are often filled with fear, guilt, and stigma. In this episode of The Back to Work Plan for Postpartum Moms, Dr. Ashley Carroll is joined by Dr. Jasmine Stephens, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in women’s reproductive mental health. With extensive training at Baylor College of Medicine and leadership experience at UT Southwestern, Dr. Stephens brings both clinical expertise and deep compassion to this important conversation. Together, they unpack what every mother deserves to understand about mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, including: • The difference between normal adjustment and postpartum depression or anxiety • Common symptoms and when to seek professional support • Why stigma around maternal mental health and medication still exists • The most common fears women have about psychiatric medication • How medication decisions are made during pregnancy and postpartum • The risks of untreated depression and anxiety for both mom and baby • What to know about medication and breastfeeding • How to navigate guilt, fear, and uncertainty when considering treatment • How partners and families can better support mothers This episode is both educational and reassuring—designed to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported in making the best decisions for your mental health. If you’ve been struggling in silence or feeling unsure about your options, this conversation is a reminder that help is available—and you are not alone. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

When life feels full but you feel distant from yourself, this episode is for you. In Episode 18, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explores why so many working moms feel disconnected from their own needs, emotions, and inner voice — even when they’re doing everything “right.” You’ll learn the psychology behind self-disconnection in motherhood, how it impacts confidence and wellbeing, and practical ways to reconnect with yourself without adding more to your already full plate. This episode offers reassurance, clarity, and tools to help you feel grounded, present, and like you again.

When every day feels emotionally heavy — like you’re carrying stress from work straight into motherhood and never fully resetting — this episode is for you. Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explores why working moms stay emotionally “on edge,” how stress accumulates across roles, and why rest alone isn’t enough to restore calm. You’ll learn the psychology behind emotional overload, simple ways to reset your nervous system, and how to create daily emotional transitions that help you feel more present, grounded, and like yourself again.

In this special episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown sits down with actress, artist, and advocate Tatyana Ali for a deeply honest conversation about becoming a mother while navigating a demanding career. Tatyana opens up about her postpartum experience, what surprised her most about life after baby, and how she learned to balance ambition with presence. Together, they explore the emotional shifts of new motherhood, the power of community, and what it really looks like to return to work while raising little ones. Whether you grew up watching her on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or you’re meeting her for the first time, Tatyana’s wisdom, vulnerability, and warmth will leave you encouraged and seen as a working mom trying to hold both your baby and your dreams.

Between career demands, childcare logistics, and the never-ending mental checklist of motherhood, it’s no wonder working moms feel constantly overstimulated and drained. In this episode, Dr. Ashley Carroll-Brown explains what decision fatigue really is, why it’s especially common postpartum, and how to manage overwhelm before it manages you. You’ll learn how to quiet mental chaos, set priorities that actually work, and use psychological tools to restore calm, clarity, and confidence — at home and at work.

Guilt is one of the heaviest emotions new working moms carry — the constant feeling of not being “enough” at work or at home. In this episode, Dr. Ashley breaks down the psychology of mom guilt, why it shows up after baby, and how to start releasing it so you can return to work with confidence and compassion. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Motherhood changes everything — including your identity. Dr. Ashley walks you through how postpartum identity shifts occur, the emotional impact of losing your “old self,” and research-backed strategies to help you rediscover who you are now — as both a mother and a professional woman. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

Returning to work doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your wellbeing. In this powerful episode, Dr. Ashley explores the warning signs of burnout, the neuroscience of stress, and how to build sustainable routines that protect your mental and emotional health while you juggle work and motherhood. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

You don’t have to choose between your career goals and being a present, loving mom. In this episode, Dr. Ashley helps you redefine ambition for this new season, confront guilt head-on, and set healthy boundaries that let both your career and your motherhood flourish side by side. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.

From managing daycare logistics to remembering pediatrician forms, working moms carry an invisible load that no one else sees. Dr. Ashley explains the psychology of the “mental load,” shares research on how it impacts relationships and performance, and teaches strategies to redistribute responsibilities at home and work. Follow on social media @theworkingmamacoach and visit theworkingmama.net/info to learn how you can work with Dr. Ashley to help you return to work successfully after baby.