Awake at 3am | Motherhood & Sleep
Awake at 3am | Motherhood & Sleep
Jess Zids and Sophia Masur
16 | Emily | Postpartum Psychosis, Suicidal Thoughts & Breastfeeding Pressure After a Traumatic Birth
1 hour Posted May 27, 2026 at 9:00 pm.
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โš ๏ธ Trigger warning: postpartum psychosis, suicidal and intrusive thoughts, and thoughts of harm to a baby. Emily never imagined she'd develop postpartum psychosis. She had no history of mental illness. She loved her baby. She desperately wanted to breastfeed. But after a traumatic birth, severe sleep deprivation and overwhelming breastfeeding pressure, her mental health began to unravel in ways she never expected

In this episode, Emily shares the story nobody saw behind closed doors. We talk about postpartum psychosis, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding pressure, suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts and the warning signs she wishes every new parent knew.

After repeatedly asking for help, Emily was eventually admitted to a specialist Mother and Baby Psychiatric Unit in Sydney, a decision she believes saved her life.

This is an honest conversation about postpartum psychosis, maternal mental health and why these illnesses don't always look the way people expect. Many women continue caring for their baby while silently becoming more unwell.

If you've ever searched for postpartum psychosis, postpartum mental health, sleep deprivation after having a baby, breastfeeding pressure or wondered how to recognise the warning signs of severe maternal mental illness, this episode is for you.

Support is available

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บย Australia
PANDA โ€“ 1300 726 306
Lifeline โ€“ 13 11 14
Emergency โ€“ 000

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธย United States
Postpartum Support International โ€“ 1-800-944-4773
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งย United Kingdom
Samaritans โ€“ 116 123
Emergency โ€“ 999


Australia

PANDA: 1300 726 306

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Emergency: 000

United States

Postpartum Support International: 1-800-944-4773

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

United Kingdom

Contact your GP or local Perinatal Mental Health Team

Samaritans: 116 123

Emergency: 999