Growing Pains | Where Business Owners Come to Plan Maternity Leave
You’re running a business and dreaming of growing your family, but when you search for how to take maternity leave as a self-employed mom, the answers just don’t exist.
You’ve pieced together advice from HR blogs, asked your friends, downloaded generic templates, and tried to “figure it out later.” Meanwhile, you’re left wondering: Can I really step away from my business without losing momentum...or my mind?
Here’s the truth: You can. And Growing Pains is here to show you how. Hosted by maternity leave strategist and business operations expert Alyson Caffrey, this podcast helps self-employed moms plan for maternity leave during the trying to conceive, pregnancy, and postpartum seasons—without burning out or ghosting their business.
Each week, you’ll hear honest solo episodes, expert interviews, and real-life maternity leave stories from moms who are building legacies and raising babies. No fluff. No one-size-fits-all advice. Just grounded guidance to help you navigate life and business on your terms.
Alyson has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs streamline their operations and take actual time off for maternity leave, while returning to businesses that thrive.
Ready to take maternity leave like a CEO? Follow Growing Pains and let’s build a business that supports your motherhood journey.
Growing Pains | Where Business Owners Come to Plan Maternity Leave
What No One Tells You About Postpartum Mental Health with Dr. Emily Guarnotta
Some moms know they’re struggling postpartum. Others just feel “off” but don’t know why.
I brought on Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider, to talk about the signs of postpartum anxiety and depression that often go unnoticed. Her perspective helped me name parts of my own journey I hadn’t fully understood until years later. If you’ve ever felt snappy, restless, or overwhelmed as a new mom and wondered if it’s just part of the job, this conversation is for you.
Emily specializes in maternal mental health and works with families navigating the full arc of parenthood: from infertility to pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. What I love about her approach is that it’s both clinical and deeply personal. She started this work after walking through postpartum depression herself.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• The most common symptoms of postpartum anxiety (that go far beyond worry)
• Why some moms struggle more after baby #2, even if baby #1 felt “easier”
• How your relationship with self-care activities may need to evolve postpartum
• A smart, proactive way to book postpartum therapy even if you’re not sure you’ll need it
• What to say when help doesn’t feel helpful (and how to advocate for the support you actually want)
• Why it’s never “too late” to get support, even if you’re a year or more postpartum
Connect with Dr. Emily:
Phoenix Health Instagram: www.instagram.com/_phoenix_health
Phoenix Health Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoinPhoenixHealth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr_emily_guarnotta
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/emily-guarnotta
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You don't have to choose between growing your business and your family.
Grab the Maternity Leave Roadmap for $29: www.mastermaternityleave.com/roadmap
Send in your maternity leave questions! connect@mastermaternityleave.com
xx Aly
www.instagram.com/alycaffrey
www.mastermaternityleave.com