What is Postpartum and Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to a woman’s mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A perinatal mental health therapist can be a helpful resource and support to help women deal with and overcome mental health challenges during that period of time.
Common Questions Related to Postpartum and Perinatal Mental Health
It is supposed to be a happy and exciting time when you are pregnant and about to have a baby, right?
- Then, why am I feeling sad and depressed?
- Why do I have so many fears about everything?
- How come I have feelings of loss?
- Why do I feel no connection?
- It’s scary that I have negative thoughts and feelings toward my baby.
- What is going on with me?
- Am I a bad mother? Am I going crazy?
Well, because it is a life-changing process that involves a lot of challenges, which nobody really tells you before you have a baby, and the process usually does not go as perfectly as we have imagined.
Postpartum and Perinatal Changes May Include:
- Hormonal changes
- Changes in body image
- Pregnancy/birth not going as expected
- Your body needing to heal from having a baby
- Consistently not getting enough sleep
- Establishing a new routine
- Transitioning to a new identity of being a mom
- Bonding and connecting with the baby
- Adjusting to changes in responsibilities and relationships
- Changes in sense of freedom, control, and self-esteem
- Impact on sense of career and career potential
When you add other complicating factors, such as a traumatic birth and a baby having medical issues, it can be overwhelming for the mom to handle.
What is the research on postpartum and maternal mental health?
According to Postpartum Support International (PSI), “while many women experience some mild mood change or the blues during or after the birth of a child, 1 in 7 women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. 1 in 10 dads become depressed during the first year.” The symptoms can become severe enough to meet the criteria for one of the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) and have negative consequences for the mom, the baby, other family members, and society.
“I started to experience a sick sensation in my stomach; it was as if a vise were tightening around my chest. Instead of the nervous anxiety that often accompanies panic, a feeling of devastation overcame me. I hardly moved. Sitting on my bed, I let out a deep, slow, guttural wail. I wasn’t simply emotional or weepy, like I had been told I might be. This was something quite different. This was sadness of a shockingly different magnitude. It felt as if it would never go away.”
Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields, 2005
Examples of Postpartum Issues That a Perinatal Mental Health Therapist Can Help With:
- Depression
- Anxiety or Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Perinatal Bipolar Disorder
- Psychosis
What Causes These Postpartum Issues?
These disorders can affect people at any time. However, according to PSI (Postpartum Support International), there is a marked increase in the prevalence of these disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It likely arises from a complex interaction of both biological and environmental factors.
These postpartum and perinatal risk factors may include:
- Genetics
- Biological sensitivity to hormonal changes
- History of depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders, including a history of PMAD
- History of trauma, or a recent traumatic event
- Lack of social/environmental as well as financial support
- High-stress parenting, such as single moms and moms of multiples
With Help From a Postpartum Mental Health Therapist in North Carolina, You Will:
- gain more support in a safe environment during a very challenging time of your life
- recognize the real impact of becoming a parent on different areas of your life
- learn to navigate through the challenges and adjust to the changes
- gain a better understanding of how your thoughts and behaviors may have contributed to and even perpetuated the problems
- learn different tools to obtain relief from troubling symptoms and relationship struggles
- have improved quality of life and satisfaction
Common questions about Postpartum therapy
What is postpartum therapy?
Postpartum therapy is a specialized form of counseling that focuses on the emotional well-being of mothers and sometimes fathers during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It addresses various challenges, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and the adjustments that come with motherhood.
When is the right time to consider postpartum therapy?
Postpartum therapy can be beneficial at any point during pregnancy and the postpartum period. If you’re experiencing emotional challenges, mood changes, or difficulties adjusting to motherhood, seeking therapy early on can provide valuable support.
What issues does postpartum therapy address?
Postpartum therapy addresses a range of issues, including postpartum depression, anxiety, stress, relationship changes, self-esteem concerns, and the overall emotional well-being of mothers during the pregnancy and postpartum period.
Is postpartum therapy only for those with severe postpartum depression?
No, postpartum therapy is for any mother experiencing emotional challenges during the pregnancy and postpartum period, whether mild or severe. It offers support, coping strategies, and a safe space for expression.
How does online postpartum therapy work?
Online postpartum therapy provides the convenience of remote counseling through secure virtual platforms. It allows mothers to access professional support from the comfort of their homes, breaking down barriers to seeking help.
What can I expect in a postpartum therapy session?
In a postpartum therapy session, you can expect a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss your feelings and challenges. The therapist will work collaboratively with you to develop coping strategies and personalized approaches to improve your well-being.
Can partners be involved in postpartum therapy sessions?
Absolutely. Postpartum therapy can involve partners, offering a supportive space for open communication, understanding, and collaboration in navigating the challenges of the postpartum period. However, it is not couples counseling. The focus of the session would still be on supporting the mother.
How do I know if I need postpartum therapy?
If you’re experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, difficulty bonding with your baby, changes in sleep or appetite, or any emotional distress, seeking the guidance of a postpartum therapist can be beneficial.
How do I get started with postpartum therapy?
Getting started is as simple as reaching out to a qualified postpartum therapist. You can schedule an appointment with one of our postpartum therapists directly from the website or contact our client care coordinator to get started. Taking this step is a positive and proactive move toward prioritizing your maternal well-being.
Liz Rougeau: Perinatal Mental Health Counselor & Postpartum Therapist
- Specialties: postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, anxiety, parenting, life transitions, self-esteem, women’s issues
Get Help for Postpartum and Perinatal Mental Health in North Carolina Today!
- Contact Mindspace Counseling
- Meet with our postpartum therapists!
- Begin your postpartum healing journey!
Other Therapy Services at Mindspace Counseling
Postpartum and perinatal mental health is not the only service we offer at our North Carolina-based therapy practice. We know that there are many other services that can help with maternal mental health. Others we provide include anxiety treatment, trauma and PTSD treatment, and grief counseling. In fact, we can help you virtually via online therapy in North Carolina and online therapy in Florida. If you’re interested in EMDR, we offer both EMDR therapy and EMDR-intensive therapy. Get connected with us today.
Main Areas and Towns Mindspace Counseling, PLLC Services in North Carolina: