The Myth of the Perfect Mother With Dr. Sarah Oreck

Let’s be real: postpartum is a trip. Mentally, physically, emotionally—it’s a full-blown identity shift that hits harder than most of us expect. And yet, we’re still out here being handed pamphlets and told to get back to "normal" in six weeks.

In our episode with Dr. Sarah Oreck, a reproductive psychiatrist, founder of Mavida Health, and mom of three, we got into it—the hormone crash, the unrealistic expectations, the guilt, the shift in identity, and why support matters way more than fancy baby gear.

The Hormone Crash No One Talks About

Right after birth, your hormones drop off a cliff—and we’re not being dramatic. Estrogen and progesterone plummet, and for some people, that sudden shift can feel like emotional whiplash. Dr. Oreck explained, "It’s the biggest hormone drop a woman will ever experience." If you’re someone who feels moody or sensitive before your period, you might be extra vulnerable to the effects of that hormonal crash.

Support > Stuff

There’s no award for doing postpartum alone, but somehow that’s what a lot of us feel like we’re supposed to do. Sarah made it clear: what we really need isn’t another muslin swaddle, it’s sleep, nourishment, and help. “Babies need very little when it comes to gear,” she said. “But we need so much when it comes to services.” Yes to that.

Baby blues vs. something more

Everyone warns you about the baby blues, but no one really explains when it might be more than that. If you're still feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, or having dark thoughts beyond those first two weeks, that’s not just "adjusting." As Sarah told us, "If you’re having suicidal thoughts or feel like your baby would be better off without you, that’s a red flag. You deserve support."

let go of the perfect mom myth

We talked about the pressure to do it all—be the perfect mom, partner, employee, friend. The reality? Something has to give. Sarah reminded us that motherhood was never meant to be an individual sport. Let the people around you help. Let go of the guilt. There is no gold star for being exhausted and doing everything solo.

Your Identity Will Shift—That Doesn’t Mean You’ve Disappeared

If you feel like you miss your old self? That doesn’t make you ungrateful. That makes you human. Sarah broke down how mourning your old identity is actually really common, and it doesn’t mean you don’t love your baby. “You can feel loss and joy at the same time,” she told us. “It doesn’t have to be either/or.”

So, What Can We Do?

Postpartum mental health is a complex, deeply personal journey. But Sarah left us with some simple, powerful pillars: prioritize support, protect your sleep, eat real food, and take breaks without guilt. Because when you care for yourself, you show up better for your baby—and that’s what really matters.

If you’re interested in getting mental health support, check out Mavida Health. It’s specialized online therapy for women, and is an excellent resource for ladies in all stages of motherhood.

Trust us: this is an episode every parent should hear. You are not alone, and you were never meant to do this alone.