Therapy for Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
Therapy During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Prepare emotionally for childbirth and postpartum. Address mental health concerns, develop effective coping strategies, and create an environment where you and your baby can thrive.
*Rachel is a certified perinatal mental health professional and is a certified personal trainer, allowing her to provide both therapy and tailored exercises during and after pregnancy.
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety:
You anticipated the challenges. You've seen the social media posts and heard the warnings from friends and family. Bringing home a baby isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Sure, there are the sleepless nights, the sore breasts, and days without a shower—things you expected to manage. But this feeling, this mix of loneliness, anxiety, joy, guilt, deep affection, sadness, adoration, resentment, rage, and intrusive thoughts—this wasn't part of the plan. Maybe you're starting to wonder if there's something wrong with you.
This experience is all too common among new mothers. Yet, it's a side of motherhood that often gets overshadowed by the narrative of bliss and happiness. It's not often discussed in friend groups or on social media, perhaps due to the stigma and shame associated with these feelings. Moreover, when mothers are exhausted and overwhelmed, there's often little energy left to even begin processing what's happening. See below for a list of symptoms.
Postpartum Mood Disorder Versus the Baby Blues
After giving birth, a range of mood changes and disorders can emerge. Due to drastic hormonal fluctuations, intense mood swings can sometimes be mistaken for a persistent condition. Known as the ‘baby blues,’ symptoms include frequent mood swings, crying, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances. Baby blues typically onset within days after delivery and often resolve within two to three weeks.
In contrast, a postpartum mood disorder is more severe and enduring. It may involve difficulty bonding with the baby, intense irritability, feelings of inadequacy, severe anxiety, persistent intrusive thoughts, and even suicidal ideation. Symptoms persist beyond three weeks and can extend for a year or longer, significantly impacting your ability to care for yourself and your baby. These symptoms can also stem from unresolved birth trauma.
Postpartum OCD:
After childbirth, some mothers experience postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These thoughts often revolve around fears of harm coming to the baby, despite no intent or desire to act on them. Common compulsions include constant checking on the baby, excessive cleaning, or rituals to neutralize intrusive thoughts. Unlike fleeting worries, postpartum OCD can be persistent, causing significant distress and disruption to daily life.
Postpartum Psychosis:
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health condition that can occur shortly after childbirth. It is characterized by a rapid onset of severe symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, extreme mood swings, and confusion. Mothers experiencing postpartum psychosis may have thoughts of harming themselves or their baby, and the condition requires immediate medical attention. This condition is considered a psychiatric emergency, and prompt intervention is crucial for the safety and well-being of both mother and child.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise
You know exercise is recommended during pregnancy and the postpartum period, but the idea can be overwhelming. You worry about harming your growing baby. You're exhausted, feeling guilty about leaving your baby, and unsure about which exercises are safe (diastasis recti—what is that? It sounds scary). Yet, research consistently highlights the significant benefits of exercise for pregnant and postpartum women, including easier births and recoveries, as well as relief from low mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that boost happiness and well-being, while also reducing stress hormones like cortisol. It can also enhance self-esteem and body image, which is especially important during a time when your body is undergoing significant changes. Finally, exercise offers a valuable opportunity for social interaction and support, whether through joining a fitness class, simply taking a walk with a friend or working with a therapist like myself* who is qualified to incorporate exercise into therapy sessions.
Preparing for Motherhood: Exploring Therapy During Pregnancy
Embarking on the incredible journey of pregnancy brings a blend of excitement and anticipation, often alongside concerns about the upcoming birth and postpartum experience. Feeling anxious amidst the joy is completely natural. This is where therapy during pregnancy can be immensely valuable, especially if you have a history of mental health challenges. By seeking support proactively, you can establish a strong foundation for emotional resilience and preparedness.
Therapy provides a safe and confidential space to address issues such as body image, body changes, and to develop effective coping strategies. It also helps you anticipate and prepare for the emotional shifts and challenges you might face after childbirth. This proactive approach to mental health during pregnancy extends beyond nursery preparations and baby gear selection; it prioritizes nurturing your emotional well-being, crucial for a healthy and fulfilling experience.
Moreover, for women who have experienced postpartum depression in the past, therapy during subsequent pregnancies can offer invaluable support. It equips you with tools to navigate the postpartum period with greater confidence and joy, ensuring a more supported and positive transition into motherhood.
Blog Posts on Pregnancy & Postpartum
Short Facts of Postpartum Depression
Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Seek professional help should be priority #1
Exercise - even if just a long walk with a baby carrier
Create as much of a routine as feasible
Ask for help (cooking, cleaning, laundry)
Take space away from the baby
Do more skin to skin
Sleep - I don’t know when, but you MUST get some sleep
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Persistent sadness or low mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty bonding with the baby
Intense irritability, anger or crying spells
Eating too much or too little
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Lack of motivation to do activities with the baby
Anxiety or excessive worry
Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby
Suicidal thoughts or ideation