Rattled

How to Calm New Mom Anxiety with the Power of the Postpartum Brain

By: Nicole Pensak

Narrated by: Lisa Negron

A Zibby Owens Summer Reading Pick

Matrescence, noun /mæˈtres.ənts/ the process of becoming a mother: The physical, psychological, and emotional changes you go through after the birth of your child... largely unexplored in the medical community. —Cambridge Dictionary

Most new mothers bring their infants to the doctor but ignore any distressing feelings or sensations they might themselves have—that sense of being "rattled" at many moments throughout the day and night. In Rattled, Dr. Nicole Pensak shares her own experiences and those of her patients to help new mothers feel informed, validated, and guided through matrescence. After giving birth, a woman often feels like a completely different person. It may sound dramatic, but the rollercoaster of physical and psychological changes affects the brain and body in a similar way that adolescence changes us. To compound that, many women hide these feelings, worrying that something is wrong with them.

Dr. Nicole Pensak is here to reassure us that being "rattled" is normal, and not at all surprising. After all, seismic changes in identity and emotion have occurred. Research shows that a woman's brain shifts in real, biological ways very quickly after giving birth. Many women become hypervigilant, for good reason: the brain is telling her to stay alert because she has a human to keep alive and safe. While these brainpower boosts can cause anxious feelings, they can also help to manage the distress and harness the advantages of the postpartum brain. In fact, this is a time of neuroplasticity, when the brain is more receptive to positive reinforcement.

Trained at Yale and Harvard and certified in perinatal mental health, Dr. Pensak provides practical and emotional support, helping to relieve the anxiety and pressure for perfection in motherhood and paving the way for a better beginning for families and babies. She discusses mental health treatment and the upside of therapy during this changing time and offers accessible scientific information, relatable anecdotes, and strategies for self-care. The result is a reassuring and practical handbook that new mothers and their families will refer to time and again.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Nicole Pensak (P)2024 Podium Audio

First of Its Kind and an Absolute Lifesaver

As a second time mom I thought I was prepared and yet found myself navigating the whirlwind of postpartum emotions again. I’m so grateful to have found this book and Rattled was an absolute lifeline. When I felt overwhelmed and unlike myself, this book provided the clarity and reassurance I needed. What stood out to me most was its evidence-based approach—rather than simply validating the struggles of new motherhood in a generic and surface level way, it explained why I was feeling the way I was, breaking down the science of postpartum brain changes in a way that was both logical and deeply comforting.

It helped me reframe my emotions, not as signs of weakness or failure, but as natural responses to an enormous biological and psychological shift. Reading it made me feel understood in a way that no other resources did. If you’re a new mom feeling unmoored, or even just looking to understand the postpartum experience from a thoughtful, research-backed perspective, I can’t recommend Rattled enough.

A must read for all mothers

Finally! A book that is helping to change the narrative around "mommy brain" and offering tangible tools to empower us as mothers to take care of ourselves as much as we do our children. A digestible mix of science and practical strategies. Dr. Pensak is funny, raw, and inviting. I love how she share her own unique journey into the chaotic and beautiful world of motherhood. Thank you, Dr. Pensak for helping us as mothers’ feel seen during this time of profound transformation and for giving us the tools to “up the ante” and thrive.

Helpful, validating and clear

A must read for any mother - expectant or not. Learned so much about the “why” behind so many of my experiences and also got helpful tips to apply moving forward. Thank you for writing this book!

A Much Needed Gift to Resource

This brilliant book about motherhood and postpartum tells the stories and the science that are so needed in understanding and integrating the wild experience of matresence.

I had tears of relief, validation and empowerment through the acknowledgement of what this life changing rite of passage feels like.

It’s about time we have more resources like this for women! Thank you Nicole!!

The amazing advice

Incredible book. Made me feel like I’m not alone. Normalized all the worries tbh at first moms have. Felt like I finally found my people!

Mom hero

Everything I needed to read to understand all these changes one goes through. What a perfect portrayal of motherhood and its many different moments one has to face. Thank you Dr. Pensak for helping so many who are so vulnerable.

Amazing resource

Dr Pensak has written an amazing book to help all moms navigate one of the most difficult times of their life. Every mom should read this book. As an obstetrician, I tell all of my patients about this great resource and they all agree. Having a book out there, with both a personal account and medical expertise, is the best part. Must read!

Best info ever

Great listen! And the info is invaluable and doable! Loved having the quick takeaways from each chapter

A great and thoughtful insight into a new mother’s own challenges as a new mother.

I liked all the tools and the end of chapter pointers to refer to. Loved the personal references to the authors experiences. I wished I had this book when we had baby children. It would have helped my wife and I to understand what we were going thru. There are many books on how to raise a baby and all that they go through in development. This book is unique as it addresses what the mother is going through. Kudos also to simplifying it in a language that any one can understand regardless of their situation.

A must read for mothers at any stage!!

This book is an absolute gem! From the very first page, it feels like a warm hug for every mother, no matter where she is in her journey. The author has crafted an incredibly insightful and compassionate guide to maternal mental health, diving deep into the emotional complexities that come with motherhood. What makes this book stand out is how it goes beyond just the postpartum period—it offers invaluable support for any phase of motherhood, whether you’re navigating the early days, the teen years, or everything in between.

The way the author intertwines personal stories with expert advice is both heartwarming and empowering. The language is accessible, never judgmental, and filled with so much empathy. Each chapter provides not only practical tools and strategies to boost mental well-being but also a sense of solidarity, reminding mothers they are not alone in their struggles. It is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that caring for ourselves is a vital part of caring for our children.

Whether you are a new mom, an experienced one, or somewhere in between, this book is a must-read. It has the rare ability to make you feel seen, heard, and understood. It’s a book that encourages self-compassion and offers a powerful message of hope and healing. I can’t recommend it highly enough—this book is a true gift for every mother!