Today on the show, we have Keya Wingfield.

Keya describes herself as a Richmonder. Chef. Entrepreneur. Instructor. Mom. This is Keya Wingfield. The culinary education is from Virginia, but the love and passion come from Bombay, where she was born and raised. But this isn’t “Indian Food.” It’s food by an Indian. Like Keya, it’s complex, diverse…and definitely bold.

I love Keya – She is so humble and down to earth. Coming from a similar culture, I am ethnically from Pakistan and Keya from India. I am blown away by her creativity when she infuses the Asian elements into her cooking. Everything Keya bakes is a piece of art in my perspective as I am a foodie myself and love trying different foods. Her Dark chocolate sea salt rose jalebis have left a lifelong impression on my mind.

Most people know her as the winner of the recent Food Network’s Spring Baking Championship in Season 7

But what most people don’t know is that Keya and her family were experiencing a tragic loss while the episodes of the Spring Baking Champion were airing.

Trigger warning: Please be prepared as there will be some discussion that may trigger some folks.

Listen in to hear what Keya and I discussed: 

·       Keya shares her personal journey that led her to where she is. 

·       Her experience about fighting for Daksh’s life while winning the Spring Baking Championship on the Food Network. 

·       How this journey has impacted her and the ways that Keya is present for her daughter.

·       The methods that Keya has been dealing with her daily struggles, especially with PTSD. Three pieces of wisdom that Keya shares 

Keya shared the maternal birth traumatic experience she had with her son Daksh, which presented post-traumatic disorder symptoms or even post-partum post-traumatic disorder. Having a c-section, her newborn being admitted to the NICU for 8 weeks, daily visits to the hospital with the fresh c-section wounds, inability to hold him, and the emotional exhaustion to deal with the stress if your baby will make it? These are all experiences that can trigger PTSD symptoms in mothers. 

So what is PTSD?

It is a mental health condition that may be triggered by experiencing a traumatic event by witnessing it or experiencing it. Events like war, natural disaster, rape, abuse, death or an accident. The symptoms may include: uncontrollable recollections of the event, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares, changes in mood, a depressed state of mind .

For women, “birth trauma” which is the experience of childbirth may cause PTSD. Dr. Barbash describes that birth trauma can be from:

• Births where the mom experienced significant blood loss
• Emergency caesarean, after the baby’s heart rate suddenly drops
• Forceps birth
• Extreme or intense pain
• Stillbirth
• Escalated medical intervention to save the baby or mom
• Baby born with a disability as a result of traumatic birth
• Unexpected, or early, delivery of the baby
• Baby admitted into the special care baby unit or neonatal intensive care unit

If you or your loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms discussed today, I urge you to seek professional help. I have included articles below so you can learn more about maternal PTSD. There is also a link on how to find a trained PTSD or trauma counselor.

As we wrap up May Mental health awareness month, I want to remind you to take care of yourself. I understand your pain. You do not have to suffer in silence. Avoiding or numbing your pain is not the solution. You will experience the impact of undealt trauma in your life at some point. It is best to lift your chin up, acknowledge the pain, process the grief, seek professional help and work on yourself now. Your life is way too important to live in survival mode. You deserve to be thriving and live your best life now.

Resources:

Follow me on IG: @wholymom or Facebook: facebook.com/wholymom. 

Have Questions? Send me an email at: info@wholymom.com.

Connect with Keya at https://www.keyaandco.net | IG: @keyaandco

How to find a trauma or PTSD therapist: Psychology Today 

Learn more about maternal PTSD: Birth Trauma or Child Birth or Postpartum PTSD

Thank you so much for joining me this week on The Wholy Mom Chat! Please share this episode with all the women you know. Could you do me a favor? Would you please subscribe and leave a 5-star review so that other mamas can find out about this podcast! I am here to remind you that YOU MATTER. Your feelings, desires, unspoken needs, and all of you have a purpose. I am here to walk with you and to cheer you on. I believe in you. 

YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS SEASON! We are on this journey together. Let’s rediscover our true self, reclaim our time, energy, care for ourselves to be the woman we want to be, and most of all, THRIVE.  So let us rise up and show up as a better version of our self!