I struggled hard during my first postpartum experience.

Like many women, my road to motherhood wasn’t easy.

I had more postpartum anxiety risk factors than I could count—but no one warned me.

I’m a loss mom, an IVF mom, and a home-birthing mom who ended up with a c-section. I’m also a control freak with perfectionist tendencies, not to mention ADHD and autistic (though I didn’t know it when I had my babies).

All of that combined into the perfect storm, sending me straight into a three-plus years-long bout with postpartum anxiety.

So hey. I’m Tiff. And Here’s A Bit of my story.

Trigger Warning: Loss

My first pregnancy ended in loss. I was so out of touch with my body and instincts that despite feeling something was off, I trusted my care providers—and at 22 weeks and 3 days, I lost my first baby. Afterward, I dove into everything I could find about pregnancy and childbirth, trying to understand what went wrong and how to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

But the deeper I dug, the more I learned about the countless horror stories in the perinatal community. So much unnecessary suffering because we live in a world too big and too fast to offer personalized care.

For the last 15 years, I’ve worked in one capacity or another to help moms take control of their pregnancies, births, and postpartum experiences. I’m on a mission to eradicate postpartum anxiety. I believe it’s something that can often be avoided. It's not our fault—it's the system.

At least 20% of women—one in five—suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and that’s just the reported cases. We need to do better. We can do better. And that’s why I’m here.

What do we have in common?

  • I’m a loss mom

  • I have two IVF babies (now ages 10 and 15)

  • I’ve had an epidural

  • I’ve had a c-section

  • I’ve had a home birth

  • I struggled with postpartum anxiety and rage

  • I breastfed longer than I thought I would

  • I loved co-sleeping with my babies

  • I homeschooled my kids for most of their elementary years

  • My kids are my whole life, and I love being a mom (most of the time!)

  • I love to travel, spend time outside hiking and kayaking, and gardening.

  • I’ve got a dog, two cats, and 12 chickens. And my oldest has a snake.

  • I was officially diagnosed with ADHD at age 49.

  • I am self-diagnosed autistic.

  • Both of my kids are neurodivergent.

A bit more about me

Things I love: Stand-up comedy, politics, history, and planning adventures for my kiddos and me. Indian food, Mexican food, Thai food, Middle-eastern food, decluttering my house, and laying on a beach listening to an audiobook.

Favorite Movie: Before Sunrise

Most Played Song on My Playlist: Be Good by Carsi Blanton

Random Fact: I went to 13 New Kids on the Block concerts while in high school. I totally stalked Donnie Wahlberg at his hotel, knocked on his door, woke him from a nap, got a hug and a picture, then fainted.

Favorite Thing About Being a Mom: Bedtime chats and snuggles.

Favorite TV Show/Series: Better Things

Famous Person (alive or dead) I’d Like to Have Lunch With: Anthony Bourdain

Country I’d emigrate to if I could: Belize

Certifications

  • Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, Postpartum Support International

  • Fair Play Facilitator, Fair Play Life

  • Bringing Baby Home Educator, Gottman Institute

  • Childbirth Educator & Postpartum Doula, Birthworks, International

  • Labor and Birth Doula, CAPPA

  • Independent Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, IPPA

  • Teacher of Social Studies, New Jersey

  • Certified Yoga Instructor, YCOM