Whether you’re getting ready to have a baby or have recently had a baby, motherhood can bring a whole new range of emotions and perspectives.
You may find yourself wondering if what you are feeling is “normal” and apprehensive to talk about your struggle with others when, in fact, perinatal mood disorders are common and treatable. More than 1 in 5 women experience postpartum depression and/or anxiety.
Soon-to-be and new moms struggling with a pregnancy or postpartum mood related disorder have often reported one or more of the following:
1. You haven’t been feeling like yourself.
Perhaps you haven’t been feeling like yourself during this pregnancy. If this is your first child, you might worry that the fears you have mean you won’t be a good mother. Or maybe you’ve been pregnant before, but this time feels different, and you are worried something may be wrong with you or your baby.
2. You are always second guessing yourself.
Alternately, your baby may already be a few weeks or months old, but physical and emotional exhaustion have left you second-guessing your ability to give them the love and care they need. You might wonder what life would be like if you hadn’t had a baby, but you’re too afraid to talk to anyone about how you’re feeling. Without a way to work through intrusive thoughts, they can build into a cycle of self-blame and doubt that is difficult to escape on your own.
3. You worry nonstop.
To try and alleviate the fears you have, you might check your baby’s breathing every few minutes, or perhaps you are constantly searching Google to try and find answers. Being “on” all the time, however, has left you too drained to take care of your own physical and emotional wellbeing. It may be that you have difficulty eating or sleeping—or you can’t stop crying—and you don’t know how much longer you can keep up with the demands of motherhood.
4. You’re struggling to connect with your baby.
Conversely, you may feel completely detached from your baby. As feelings of stress and worry become overwhelming, it can make it hard to be the kind of mother your child needs.
Do you wish you had someone to talk to about how you’re feeling without having to fear you’ll be judged? Are you ready to feel more confident and joyful during this time in your life?
Getting started
If you are ready to take the next step toward self-care as a new or expecting mother, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our therapists online. You can also text or call us at 224-698-9792 if you would like to speak with us before you schedule to see if we are a good fit. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you are hearing or seeing things that others can’t, or if you experience periods of confusion, memory loss, or mania, please seek immediate medical attention. These may be signs of postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious treatable condition.