Postpartum Mental Health

As a new mother, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions, often simultaneously, which can feel confusing or overwhelming. These feelings are driven by physical changes, hormonal fluctuations, social pressures, and the major life transition that comes with motherhood. It’s common to feel a mix of joy, love, anxiety, overwhelm, guilt, shame, sadness, grief, irritability, frustration, resentment, depression, euphoria, confusion, and self-doubt—sometimes all at once or rapidly cycling through them. A postpartum therapist can help you make sense of all these seemingly conflicting emotions, 

It's important to understand that these feelings are normal and that you're not alone in experiencing them. Postpartum Mental Health (also known as Perinatal Mental Health) refers to your emotional well-being during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It's a term that encompasses the range of emotions and mental health challenges that can arise during this transformative time in your life. Postpartum therapy focuses on supporting and addressing any emotional struggles you may face during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Anxiety are common in postpartum women. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a group of mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy, after giving birth, or after experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. The perinatal period is generally defined as pregnancy through 12 months after giving birth. “Postpartum depression” is a term often used interchangeably with PMADs. A postpartum depression therapist can help normalize your thoughts and feelings and help you understand the difference between postpartum depression vs baby blues. 

PMADs include conditions such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), postpartum PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and postpartum psychosis.

These disorders can significantly impact the emotional well-being and functioning of women during the perinatal period. Research has shown us that attention should be paid to the entire perinatal period, because a high number of women begin struggling with PMADs during pregnancy. For that reason, therapy during pregnancy is important as well. 

PMADs are very common, and in the US, one in five perinatal women are diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder and one in eight women report symptoms of depression after giving birth. A postpartum therapist can help you determine if what you are experiencing meets the criteria for postpartum depression. 

Postpartum mental health is crucial, because it directly impacts your overall well-being and the well-being of your baby. Taking care of your emotional health during the perinatal period is just as important as taking care of your physical health. By engaging in postpartum therapy and addressing any mental health concerns you may have, you can ensure that you fully enjoy and embrace this special time in your life and in the life of your baby.

It's important to remember that seeking help from a postpartum depression therapist is not a sign of weakness or failure. In fact, it's a courageous and proactive step towards taking care of yourself, your baby, and your family. By reaching out for support, you can access the resources, guidance, and understanding you need to navigate the challenges that may arise during this period. Self-care is vitally important when parenting. Please read my blog post about self-care. 

Prioritizing your postpartum mental health is an investment in the health of your entire family. You don't have to face these challenges alone. Seeking the support of a postpartum therapist can make a significant difference in your overall experience as a new mother. I specialize in providing support and guidance specifically tailored to the unique emotional experiences of perinatal women. I can help you navigate the range of emotions you may be feeling and provide coping strategies that will help you on your journey to wellness. I can provide information, resources, and support for moms experiencing PMADs, as well as offer specialized postpartum therapy services tailored to address these conditions. Please read my blog post about setting realistic goals when parenting and how comparing yourself to other mothers can impact your mental health.

As a Postpartum Therapist in California, I offer many services utilizing evidence-based treatments. Some services at Shameless Mama Wellness include treatment for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety, birth trauma therapy, fertility counseling, therapy for miscarriage and loss, pregnancy therapy and treatment for NICU PTSD.

Online therapy available to new moms in California.