Episode 7: Understanding Maternal Ambivalence – Paperclips & Periods Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Emily K. Cabrera and Katie Krych discuss maternal ambivalence—loving your children while also missing who you were before becoming a parent.

They explain that these feelings are normal and do not mean you are a bad parent. Instead, they reflect the major identity shift that comes with motherhood, along with exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and the mental load.

The hosts also help distinguish between common experiences and postpartum depression, offering guidance on when to seek professional support. They acknowledge the impact of pregnancy ...