Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives
Welcome to Perinatal and Reproductive Perspectives, the podcast that empowers individuals and professionals navigating the complex world of perinatal and reproductive health. Hosted by a healthcare expert, this show dives deep into evidence-based practices, holistic approaches, and personal experiences to help birthing individuals, their partners, and health professionals thrive. Whether you're preparing for parenthood, supporting a loved one, or working in the field, our episodes provide actionable insights, relatable stories, and expert advice. Join us to explore topics like mental health, reproductive and perinatal rights, cultural competence, and the latest innovations in care. Together, we’ll foster understanding, equity, and growth in every aspect of this transformative journey.
Listen, learn, and connect as we build a community dedicated to empowering lives through knowledge and compassion.
Perinatal & Reproductive Perspectives
Medically Fragile: How Phoenix Children's Is Changing Perinatal Mental Health
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When a pregnancy is anything but typical, the emotional weight can be overwhelming, and yet mental health support is often the last thing families are offered. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kari Millican, PsyD, LPC-S, PMH-C, Division Manager of Mental Health Therapy at Phoenix Children's Hospital, to talk about what it means to care for the whole family when a fetus or infant is medically fragile.
Dr. Millican shares how Phoenix Children's is breaking new ground in perinatal mental health by walking alongside parents through some of the most frightening and uncertain moments of their lives, from a difficult prenatal diagnosis to the NICU and beyond. She speaks to the unique grief, fear, and love that coexist when your baby's life hangs in the balance, and why tending to a parent's mental health is not a luxury — it's a critical part of the child's care.
Whether you're a parent living this reality, a provider supporting families in crisis, or someone who loves someone navigating a medically complex pregnancy or infant journey, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and reminded that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same breath.
