Cheryl R. Zauderer

Dr. Cheryl Zauderer has been a registered nurse for 30 years. She has worked in the hospital setting as a labor and delivery nurse, in birthing centers, and as a nurse-midwife in an inner city hospital. She has also worked in private practice as an OB/GYN nurse practitioner, and maintained a private practice as a Lamaze instructor for 15 years. It was though her work with postpartum women that she came across a number of new mothers having difficult birthing experiences, and subsequently suffering from anxiety and depression. Cheryl then decided to pursue a psychiatric nurse practitioner degree, for the sole purpose of helping these women recover, and be able to enjoy their babies and families.

Cheryl is the author of several published articles in professional journals, on a variety of topics related to maternal newborn health, and psychiatric mental health. Her areas of research are in Postpartum/Perinatal Mood Disorders (PPMD) and Skin-to-Skin Contact. She is frequently asked to lecture on the topic of PPMD. Cheryl has also served as a board member for PSI (Postpartum Support International), and has been the Nassau/Suffolk coordinator for PSI since 2009. She maintains an active social network including a blog on her website (www.postpartumcare1.com) which contains current, evidenced based information, for new mothers. Since 2005 she has maintained a thriving private practice where she treats women for perinatal mood disorders, and other women's health issues, by providing psychotherapy and psychopharmacology.

Cheryl has written the book "Maternity Leave: A New Mother's Guide to the First Six Weeks Postpartum" to provide new mothers, their partners, and families, with a full scope of information on what to expect in the first six weeks postpartum. These crucial six weeks set the foundation for parenting for mom, baby, and for the entire family. The postpartum period is the time for the new mother to adapt not only to her role as a mother and caregiver, but also to the changes in her body and her psychological status. Cheryl hopes this book will be a valuable resource for all new mothers.