Perinatal Mental Health

The perinatal period refers to the time before, during, and after pregnancy. This area of mental health is so important, as it attends to the very complex and fragile nature of stepping into motherhood and parenthood. There are many different challenges along the way, and I am here to support you wherever you are on that journey.

• Are you feeling sad or depressed?

• Do you feel more irritable or angry with those around you?

• Are you having difficulty bonding with your baby?

• Do you feel anxious or panicky?

• Are you having problems with eating or sleeping?

• Are you having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind?

• Do you feel as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”?

• Do you feel like you never should have become a parent?

• Are you worried that you might hurt your baby or yourself?

Any of these symptoms, and many more, could indicate that you have a form of a perinatal mental health disorder, such as postpartum depression. While many parents experience some mild mood changes during or after the birth of a child, 15 to 20% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Please know that with informed care you can prevent a worsening of these symptoms and can fully recover. There is no reason to continue to suffer.

Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover. Although the term “postpartum depression” is most often used, there are actually several forms of illness that parents may experience, including: Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum (PPD), Anxiety During Pregnancy & Postpartum (PPA), Pregnancy or Postpartum (OCD), Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Mood Disorders, Postpartum Psychosis

Signs of PPD can include:

• Frequent crying

• Mood swings, irritability, anger

• Feeling exhausted

• Difficulty concentrating

• Trouble sleeping

• Anxiety, panic

• Appetite change, weight loss/gain

• Feeling inadequate, shame, or guilt

• Feeling hopeless

• Fear of being alone

• Scary thoughts about the baby or yourself

  Signs of PPA can include:

• Constant worry

• Panic attacks

• Fear of leaving your home with the baby

• Fear of leaving the baby in someone else's care

• Scary, repetitive thoughts about harm coming to the baby or yourself

• Physical symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, increased heart rate

• Feeling like you can't turn your mind off

• Trouble sleeping

• Repetitive thoughts about the birth

• Nightmares

Why does PPD occur?

There is no single cause for PPD.  It is a combination of hormonal, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.  It is not fully understood why some parents experience PPD and others do not.  Parents of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mental health disorders.

What is true is that you did not cause it, and it did not happen because you are not a good parent.  

What You Can Do

Know you are not alone in what you are experiencing. If you do not like how you have been feeling, reach out for help today. You are worth it.  As mothers/parents, we tend to put our own needs aside and minimize the extent of our feelings.  But ignoring the problem will not make it go away.  The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will be feeling better.   

Difficult roads often to lead to beautiful destinations.