Rattled

Becoming a mother is one of the biggest changes a woman can go through. Psychologist Dr. Nicole Pensak, who trained at Harvard and Yale, says it is completely normal for a new mom to feel unlike herself, physically and psychologically different. She calls this feeling being "rattled." Research shows that a woman's brain changes in real, biological ways very soon after giving birth. The postpartum brain also gets some boosts in brainpower, which can help a mother manage distress and make use of its advantages.

In Rattled, Dr. Pensak combines her own experiences as a mother with insights from her clinical practice to offer practical and emotional support to new moms. The book aims to ease the anxiety and the pressure to be a perfect mother. It covers mental health treatment and the many changes a mother goes through, and it gives accessible scientific information, relatable anecdotes and strategies for self-care.

The handbook is meant for new mothers and their families. It aims to help readers feel informed, validated and guided through the transformation of becoming a mom.