Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal Mental Health: You’re Not Alone

 

Bringing a baby into the world is life-changing – filled with excitement, love, and—let’s be real—plenty of challenges. While many people talk about the physical changes of pregnancy and postpartum recovery, the emotional side of things often gets overlooked.

But here’s the truth: perinatal mental health matters just as much as physical health. If you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, or overwhelm during pregnancy or after birth, you are not alone—and counseling can be one of the most powerful tools for support and healing.

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What is Perinatal Mental Health?

Perinatal mental health refers to emotional well-being during pregnancy and the first year after birth. This period can bring a rollercoaster of emotions—some expected, some surprising, and some downright scary. The emotional changes during this time are often unaddressed. Some women feel shame in some of the natural, negative emotions they are going through in the months after birth, causing them to remain in silence. Others find giving themselves any time in acknowledgment of their needs is selfish – believe they should be entirely focused on their infant. 

While some mood changes are normal, others may signal a more serious mental health concern, including:

Perinatal Depression 

Similar to traditional depression, perinatal depression includes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emotional numbness. However, the key difference is that it specifically occurs during pregnancy or in the first year after childbirth. Mothers report feeling disconnected from their babies or struggle with daily tasks. This leads to a sense of isolation and emotional overwhelm.

Perinatal Anxiety

Anxiety during the perinatal period is marked by intense, and constant worry.  Additionally, physical symptoms like racing heartbeats or dizziness are noted. Women may fear something bad will happen to themselves or their baby, leading to panic attacks or an overwhelming sense of dread. This occurs even when there’s no real danger.

Postpartum OCD

Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive, distressing thoughts (such as fears of harming the baby or being unable to care for them properly) and/or compulsive actions (like repeatedly checking on the baby or cleaning) to ease anxiety. These thoughts and behaviors can be time-consuming and cause significant distress, even though the mother may know they’re irrational.

Postpartum PTSD

Honestly, pregnancy can be complicated and difficult. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after a difficult or traumatic pregnancy and/or childbirth experience. You will experience symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, or panic attacks related to the birth. These symptoms can make it challenging to bond with the baby and interfere with daily functioning.

Postpartum Psychosis

A rare but very serious condition, postpartum psychosis includes symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and extreme confusion. It can develop suddenly, typically within the first two weeks after childbirth. It requires immediate medical attention, as it can be life-threatening for both the mother and the baby.

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Why Do Pre and Post Pregnancy Have So Many Emotions?? 

You may be wondering why such strong emotional reactions occur, especially as for most this is a highly anticipated moment in life. We forget the huge change that our bodies go through during ten months of gestation are not the only part of pregnancy. There is also the 4th trimester when your body now shifts back to pre-pregnancy status.  Perinatal mental health struggles don’t have one single cause, but several key factors can contribute. Here are some you might recognize:

✔️ Hormonal Changes – Similar to at the onset of pregnancy; after giving birth, your hormones go through a rollercoaster. Which typically causes your mood to navigate exactly like that rollercoaster. You might feel up one minute and incredibly low the next, and it can leave you feeling out of control.

✔️ Sleep Deprivation – Newborns are notorious for having their own sleep schedule. Meanwhile you’re with them while they’re awake and getting things done while they’re asleep. Essentially surviving on little to no sleep, which can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable, and emotionally drained. It’s tough to keep a clear head when your body is running on empty.

✔️ Emotional Adjustments – The pressure to be a “perfect” parent can be overwhelming. You might feel overwhelmed by the constant need to get everything just right—feeling like you’re failing even when you’re doing your best. This can stir up feelings of guilt, self-doubt, and stress.

✔️ Past Mental Health History – If you’ve dealt with mental health struggles before, pregnancy and postpartum can stir up old fears or anxieties. It might feel like you’re back at square one, dealing with issues that you thought you’d left behind.

✔️ Traumatic Birth Experiences – Every birth is unique, and sometimes things just don’t go as expected. Whether it’s difficult labor or unexpected complications, the emotional weight of a challenging delivery can linger. Traumatic Birth Experiences can trigger feelings of fear, distress, or even guilt.

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Counseling: Postpartum Mental Health

One of the best ways to navigate perinatal mental health challenges is counseling. Speaking with a trained professional can help you process emotions, develop coping strategies, and feel less alone in your journey.

How Can Counseling Help?

Counseling provides the safe space you’re yearning for—a place where you have a personal, nonjudgmental listener to support and guide you on your path to healing. Sometimes, simply voicing your thoughts and emotions out loud can be incredibly therapeutic, and a therapist can offer validation and understanding.

Mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, can be challenging to manage alone, but therapy helps you identify negative thought patterns and teaches you strategies to reframe them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is especially effective for addressing postpartum anxiety and depression. If you have struggled with anxietyor depression before pregnancy it will be even more important for you to seek therapy support. 

Additionally, therapy can help you process any past trauma, including difficult birth experiences, in a healthy and empowering way. Parenthood often brings added stress to marriages, friendships, and family dynamics, but therapy offers tools to strengthen relationships by improving communication and setting healthy boundaries. A counselor can also personalize coping strategies tailored to your unique journey, whether it’s mindfulness, self-care practices, or structured routines.

 

You Deserve Support

 

Perinatal mental health challenges are common, treatable, and often misunderstood. However, far too many parents suffer in silence. Whether you’re facing this journey yourself or supporting someone you love, reaching out for help can be a powerful first step toward healing.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Your feelings are valid, and you deserve to be heard, supported, and cared for. Counseling offers a safe, compassionate space to explore your struggles and rediscover your strength. Getting the therapy support you need will help you to grow the strong bond between your new baby and family members that you want. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, take that first step. You deserve the support that can help you heal and reclaim your joy and enjoy the new beginnings of your family!

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 Amani Joyner, LMFTA, specializes in guiding women through this wonderful, challenging journey. She has a passion developed through her own personal journey in supporting women as they move through the changes that pregnancy and motherhood can bring. Out of this experience comes her passion in supporting mother’s and thus she has invested in additional, in depth trainings organized by the PostPartum Support International. She provides expert care in a safe, non-judgmental environment. With help, you can be well.  We can work towards a brighter future together.