Pregnancy & Postpartum Therapy

Are You Struggling To Feel Like Yourself During or After Pregnancy? 

Has pregnancy left you physically and emotionally exhausted? Are you constantly worried about what could go wrong instead of enjoying this new phase in your life? Do you wake up every morning feeling anxious, to the point that you worry this is what parenthood is going to be like from now on? 

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 parent. 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. 

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. 

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 parenthood. 

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 parent 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?

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. 

Many New and Expectant Parents Have Questions 

Pregnancy is a stressful time, no matter how elated you might be by the news. Your body is about to undergo or has already undergone many physical and hormonal changes. Adding an infant to your family—even if this isn’t your first child—is a very big step, regardless of how well prepared you are. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and fearful about messing up. You’re only human, after all. If you struggle to take care of yourself during pregnancy and in the initial weeks and months of your child’s life, you may wonder how you could ever do a good enough job taking care of your child. 

Making things more difficult, no two parents experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in the same way. Many parents have heard of postpartum depression, but far fewer are aware that PMADs can also include OCD, anxiety, PTSD, and panic disorder. 

As a result, some pregnant people don’t connect their change in mood or behavior with pregnancy or giving birth. You may feel like you are the only parent struggling in this way, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. As many as 1 in 5 women experience symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, such as postpartum depression, according to the CDC. 

Unfortunately, common misunderstandings about what constitutes a perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) has caused many parents to go without the help they need. 

While up to 80 percent of women experience the “baby blues” after giving birth, it isn’t the same thing as postpartum depression. The two conditions share many symptoms, from mood swings and crying spells to insomnia and irritability, but if the symptoms last more than two weeks after giving birth, it is likely indicative of postpartum depression. By equating the two, many parents incorrectly assume they just need to “be stronger” or “outlast the stress” to feel better. The belief that you need to do it all on your own places even more pressure on you as a parent, and it can make it harder to reach out for help when you need it. 

The surest way to understand and improve how you feel is with a qualified pregnancy and postpartum therapist. Unfortunately, it can be taboo to admit you have doubts or fears about parenthood. Everyone expects you to be over the moon about a new baby. But it’s not your fault if you feel overwhelmed or more stressed than you thought you would. Postpartum depression makes it hard to feel your best, and it’s nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about.

Thankfully, PMADs are common, treatable, and temporary. Pregnancy and postpartum therapy can help you learn to adjust to your new normal and alleviate fears about parenthood so you can take better care of yourself and your child. 

The most common PMADs include:

Postpartum Depression (PPD): Postpartum depression is one of the most common perinatal mood disorders. It involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. PPD can significantly affect a mother's ability to care for herself and her baby.

Postpartum Anxiety (PPA): Postpartum anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness related to pregnancy, childbirth, or the well-being of the baby. It can manifest with physical symptoms such as restlessness, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.

Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (POCD): Postpartum OCD involves intrusive, distressing thoughts or images, often related to harm coming to the baby or oneself. Individuals with postpartum OCD may engage in compulsive behaviors to alleviate their distress.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some women develop post-traumatic stress disorder after experiencing a traumatic childbirth or perinatal event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

Postpartum panic disorder: Postpartum Panic Disorder is a condition characterized by severe anxiety and recurring panic attacks that can affect up to 10% of postpartum women. It leads to intense anxiety levels and frequent panic episodes in new mothers.

Postpartum Psychosis: While relatively rare, postpartum psychosis is a severe condition characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and impaired judgment. It requires immediate medical attention.

Pregnancy And Postpartum Therapy Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again 

Therapy allows for a safe space to talk about how you are feeling without judgment. We know how debilitating perinatal anxiety and depression can be, which is why we start by addressing those symptoms that are keeping you from feeling comfortable and confident. 

When you are armed with practical coping skills to manage feelings of anxiety and depression, it becomes easier to recognize and challenge negative thoughts that are keeping you stuck and miserable. 

In addition to teaching you practical coping skills, we will also explore those factors that may be driving your PMAD. In some cases, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are rooted in family history or childhood experiences. Other times, a hormone imbalance could be making it difficult to feel like yourself. By considering the cause as well as symptoms, we are able to personalize our approach to your unique needs and goals as a parent. This helps us determine whether it might be wise to refer you to a reproductive psychiatrist to receive medication in addition to the specific practices we will teach you to help care for yourself. 

The primary approaches we use are Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help with bonding and attachment. Studies have shown that parents who receive CBT or IPT treatment are 39 percent less likely to develop postpartum depression. 

IPT focuses specifically on the interpersonal stressors and changes that can arise during pregnancy and after childbirth. It’s an effective, evidence-based approach that can drive fast, lasting results. As part of our work together, we can help you find a community of 

new parents, learn how to talk to your partner about dividing responsibilities, and recognize interpersonal stressors so you can better take care of yourself. 

CBT is a scientifically validated approach for treating depression, and it has been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of postpartum depression. By incorporating CBT into our work together, you can recognize how your mood is affecting your perceptions and behaviors. When you learn to challenge negative thinking, you can reduce internal sources of stress and improve your ability to cope with feelings of anxiety or depression. 

In addition to IPT and CBT, we will work with you to help establish healthy routines around diet, exercise, and sleep. Maintaining your physical wellbeing can help reduce the chances of developing or worsening postpartum depression. 

At Thrive Postpartum, Couples, and Family Therapy, our therapists are trained to utilize the latest research to tailor evidence-based therapeutic interventions specific to your

individual diagnosis. We’ve been helping new and expecting parents understand and cope with fears and parenting exhaustion for years, and we’ve seen that no matter how overwhelmed you may feel right now, there is a path forward, and things will get easier. By working with a pregnancy and postpartum therapist, you can settle down into your new routine and begin feeling like yourself again. 

You May Have Some Concerns About Pregnancy And Postpartum Therapy… 

I’m worried that seeing a pregnancy and postpartum therapist means I’ll be judged as a bad mom. 

Absolutely not. Your body has undergone changes with lasting physical and emotional effects. It’s a lot to adjust to, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed. When you are sleep deprived, haven’t had time to shower, or haven’t had any quiet time to yourself, you naturally won’t feel your best. There’s nothing wrong with needing a little extra help. Learning how to be a mom is a process, and you are the best mom for your child. 

What if I never feel like myself again? 

Once you find a new routine in your new life, you will adjust. As with any significant life change, it may take some time to adapt to new circumstances. But that doesn’t mean you are stuck, and therapy can be instrumental in helping you find a new normal. 

Can perinatal therapy help my partner and I become closer? 

Up to 67 percent of couples report a decrease in marital satisfaction after the birth of a child. This is hardly surprising when you consider the sleepless nights, fatigue, and the increased responsibilities of raising a new baby. It doesn’t have to be the new normal, however. Perinatal or postpartum depression therapy can help you and your partner learn to divide tasks and communicate your needs so you can both get adequate rest and self-care. You and your partner may need time to adjust, and we would advise not making any rash decisions about your relationship in the first year of your new baby’s life. It’s a stressful time, and we can help both you and your partner learn to communicate your needs and be intentional about making time for each other. 

What if my baby is over 1 and I am still struggling? Could this be postpartum depression? 

It is not uncommon to try to push through for as long as you can without seeking treatment. Unfortunately, too many parents don't seek treatment soon enough. The roots of your depression and anxiety can be rooted in the pregnancy/postpartum period and it doesn't matter how long it has been. If you are not feeling like yourself, a professional can help identify why you are struggling and how you can feel like yourself again. 

Can dads be diagnosed with postpartum depression or anxiety?

Although seldom talked about, 1 in 10 men experiences paternal postpartum depression (PPD) after the birth of a child. If you or your partner are experiencing symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, a postpartum therapist can help you find solutions in a safe space free from judgment. 

A Pregnancy And Postpartum Therapist Can Help You Feel Like Yourself Again 

If you are ready to take the next step toward self-care as a new or expecting parent, or partner we invite you to contact us now. We look forward to hearing from you.

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