Beyond Postpartum Depression: Meaning Making Amidst Colic, Gestational Diabetes, and Pubis Symphysis Dysfunction
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Episode Notes
In this episode of Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives, host Becky Morrison Gleed is joined by Courtney Ginder, founder of Beyond PPD.
Courtney shares her lived experience of postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD following the birth of her first child in early 2020—amid the isolation and fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through candid storytelling, she explores how infant colic, reflux, disrupted care access, and internalized self-blame compounded her mental health struggles, and how timely provider intervention, medication, therapy, and meaning-making supported her recovery.
This conversation offers validation, education, and hope—especially for parents who don’t see themselves reflected in narrow or outdated narratives of postpartum depression.
Topics Discussed
The emotional impact of infant colic and inconsolable crying
Pandemic-era isolation and disrupted postpartum care
Postpartum depression without suicidality or harm thoughts
Intrusive thoughts, self-blame, and internalized failure narratives
Distinguishing postpartum anxiety vs. OCD
The role of partners in early identification and support
Medication, therapy, and EMDR in postpartum recovery
Breastfeeding challenges and guilt
Planning proactively for mental health in subsequent pregnancies
Meaning-making after trauma and advocacy through lived experience
“Because that’s how it felt to me, that I’m doing something wrong—like I cannot console my baby, and that is literally my entire job right now, is to feed her, change her, and console her, and I can’t do that. So my thought was, there’s something wrong with me.”
About the Guest
Courtney is a postpartum depression survivor, wife, mom, and a writer who believes firmly that sharing our stories can greatly impact the lives of others. Courtney became a mom in early 2020, and her experiences with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and becoming a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic have transformed her into a passionate advocate for perinatal mental health and making sure that all new parents know they are not alone and they can get better.
Courtney is the founder of Beyond Postpartum Depression, which began as a project for sharing her experiences with mental health and parenting, and raising awareness of perinatal mental health disorders. In addition to Beyond Postpartum Depression, Courtney is also a Social Media Specialist for Postpartum Support International (PSI) and serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana chapter of PSI. She lives in Indiana with her husband, daughter, son, and cat. She can be found on Instagram at @beyondppd and on Facebook at Beyond Postpartum Depression.