Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health

It is common for parents to experience mood changes during pregnancy or after the birth of a child. Research indicates about 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 partners are impacted by a perinatal mental health disorder. Additionally, 88% of women experience intrusive thoughts of some nature. Symptoms can differ in severity and appear any time during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. While it’s common to experience mental health changes, we want you to know you don’t have to do it alone. We want to give you information to help empower you to ask for help and support when needed.  

Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression

Baby Blues:

Right after giving birth, your estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, which, along with lack of adequate sleep can contribute to the “baby blues.” Baby blues affects 60-80% of mothers universally and usually peaks 3-5 days after birth, lasting about 2 weeks postpartum. Symptoms may include-mood swings, anxiety, sadness or irritability.

Postpartum Depression:

Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression, occurring soon after delivery and lasting up to a year later on average. Most of the time, symptoms occur within the first 3 months after delivery. 

Signs or symptoms of postpartum depression:

  • Overwhelmed “I feel like I can’t cope”

  • Lack of feelings or connection toward baby

  • Inability to take care of oneself or family 

  • Frequently co-morbid with anxiety

  • Isolation, social withdrawal

  • Difficulty sleeping (sleep does not restore)

  • Agitation, irritability

  • This doesn’t feel like me

  • Increased somatic symptoms (headache, back pain, GI stress)

  • Lack of interest in things that used to interest me

Postpartum Anxiety:

Someone with PPA may experience extreme worries and fears, often over the health and safety of the baby. Some people have panic attacks and might feel shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, a feeling of losing control, and numbness and tingling. (PSI)

Signs and symptoms of anxiety: 

  • Excessive worry (about self or baby’s health)

  • Agitation, irritability, can escalate to rage (then spiral to guilt/shame)

  • Inability to sit still, on edge

  • Poor concentration

  • Easily fatigued, sleep disturbance

  • Increased somatic symptoms 

What to know about scary thoughts:

88% or more of women report experiencing scary thoughts of some nature.

They are scary, but not dangerous.

Seeking treatment and learning skills to cope with thoughts can decrease severity and frequency of thoughts and symptoms of anxiety.

How do I know when to seek support?

We want to provide you both with education and hope - mental health disorders ARE treatable when we address symptoms and their impact. If you’re ready to take the next step, we are ready too. We’d love to collaborate with you through the counseling experience. 

START HERE.

  • If your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks

  • If you aren’t feeling like yourself 

  • If you have thought about counseling, but aren’t sure if it would be helpful 

    **Seek immediate medical support if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, thoughts about harming baby, and/or symptoms are significantly impacting your day-to-day functioning**