Pregnancy & Postpartum
1 out of 7 women experiences significant depression, anxiety, intrusive repetitive thoughts, panic, or post traumatic stress during pregnancy and postpartum. The journey to becoming a parent for the first, or fifth, time can be both joyous and challenging. The truth is, it’s okay to feel sad, disappointed, happy, and excited all at once. This is a time of big changes - physically, emotionally and in family structure! (Not to mention in your sleeping schedule!)
Pregnancy
Our society likes to believe that pregnant women should be filled with joy, gratitude and intuitive maternal love. Frequently women who do not feel this way are left to wonder if there is something deeply wrong with them. They may be concerned that they are not going to be good mothers because they do not feel bonded to the baby or grateful for their changing bodies. They may be questioning:
“What kind of mother am I?”
“Why am I not excited to be pregnant?”
“Is this depression going to harm my baby?”
“Why is it that I feel so disappointed in my birthing experience?”
Postpartum
Pregnancy, delivery and new parenthood can be physically and emotionally challenging. Deliveries can be perceived as traumatizing by mothers, even if they seem completely normal and straight forward by other people in the room. You may have had what seemed like a relatively “easy” birth, and people around you cannot understand why it was so difficult for you. After the baby arrives, sleep goes out the window, alone time goes to zero and anxiety about feeding may arrive.
“Am I doing this right?”
“Is it okay if I stop nursing?”
“Is my baby getting enough?”
The questions and self doubt can seem endless. Previously supportive friends and family members may unintentionally say things that make you question yourself as a parent while trying to help. Fluctuations in mood during pregnancy and postpartum are normal and to be expected, but if you find yourself continuing to have depressed and/or anxious feelings, intrusive or scary thoughts, we are here to help. You do not need to suffer alone or in fear.
How We Can Help
Our therapists have been trained in matters related to perinatal mood disturbances. We know how to treat what you are going through. We address thoughts and how those lead to behaviors and ruminations. We walk with you through the scary parts of an identity shift into motherhood. We validate your feelings around trauma and fears/concerns and acknowledge that the changes happening within you can be intimidating, big, joyous and terrifying. Our practice is set up to accommodate virtual sessions, which allows our clients to be comfortable in their own home during their recovery. We also help link up our perinatal clients with community resources that can further support them.
This is a speciality that we know well. As parents ourselves, we know that the best thing you can do for your baby is to take care of yourself. We know the unique challenges faced during the pregnancy and postpartum periods and we know how to help people get better.
Let us help you get back to feeling like yourself.