You Can’t Win At Motherhood
In this episode, Dr. Emily sits down with Dr. Katie Kanda, a Portland-based chiropractor specializing in prenatal and postpartum care, to explore why so many parents feel like they’re failing—and why it’s not their fault. With a powerful blend of science, honesty, and heart, Katie shares how a recent postpartum autoimmune diagnosis shifted her relationship to rest, identity, and advocacy. Together, they unpack the cultural and systemic forces making modern parenthood feel impossible—and why community matters more than ever.
Keywords
postpartum healing, community support, modern motherhood, postpartum recovery, women's health, mental health for mothers, postpartum care, fourth trimester, postpartum rest, maternal advocacy
What We Cover
The systemic failures impacting families: paid leave, childcare, housing, and work expectations
The myth of the “6-week postpartum recovery”
How disconnection teaches us to ignore our bodies
The role of community in postpartum healing—and what’s been lost
Katie’s postpartum diagnosis and what it’s teaching her about slowing down
The power of gathering
How advocating for yourself is advocating for all women
About Dr. Katie Kanda
Dr. Katie Kanda is a chiropractor at Jewel Chiropractic in Portland, Oregon. With a background in professional dance, she brings deep respect for the body to her specialized work with pregnant and postpartum clients. She also hosts monthly Birth Workers Circles and Tired Hot Moms retreats.
Connect with Dr. Katie:
Website: katiekanda.com
Instagram: @DrKatieKanda
Resources Mentioned
Book links support small businesses through Bookshop.org.
Affiliates
More About Your Host & Be Well Baby™
Dr. Emily Spaeth is a NICU physical therapist, lactation consultant, prenatal yoga teacher, and massage therapist based in Portland, OR. After witnessing the gaps in birth and postpartum education, she founded Be Well Baby™ to bridge that divide. Her team of experts offers home visits for feeding support and bodywork for birthing bodies and babies. Dr. Emily's Beyond Birth Blueprint provides comprehensive education on childbirth, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, and early parenting—along with ongoing coaching and support.
Note: This conversation was recorded inside Beyond Birth. To protect the privacy of our members, their personal check-ins have been edited out—you may notice a few references to parts of the conversation that aren’t included here.
