You want nothing more than to enjoy your pregnancy and bond with your new baby. You thought this would be a joyous time in your life. You expected to soak up every moment, but you feel like getting through the days takes everything you’ve got. This can be a frightening and confusing time, but you’re not alone. Therapy can help you be the woman—and the mother—you want to be.

 

The reality is the journey of pregnancy through motherhood can be both joyous, overwhelming, fun and draining; it is emotionally and physically exhausting and everyone needs help or support at times. After becoming pregnant or having a baby, it’s very common to feel a loss of independence, notice changes in your relationships, and experience self-doubt. 

 

In addition to these familiar changes, sometimes other more complex concerns arise during the transition to motherhood. Many women (1 in 7) will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD). This can happen during pregnancy or after the baby arrives. This is more than “just the baby blues.” I want you to know that you are not alone in this—and not to blame. Help is here and you can get better.

 

Here are some of the signs you might be struggling with a PMAD:

• Feeling sad, depressed, or irritable 

• Loss of interest, joy, or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or incompetence 

• Changes in appetite, sleep or concentration

• Suicidal thoughts 

• Intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts, obsessions

• Panic attacks 

• Excessive worry about baby’s health 

• Repeated thoughts or images of frightening things happening to the baby 

• Having trouble leaving your baby 

• Not feeling connected to your baby 

 

Maybe some days you’re making it, even feeling okay — and other days, the sadness or intense and scary thoughts feel all-consuming, like you’re drowning. It can be really hard to reach out for help when part of you keeps telling yourself some version of: “This isn’t SO bad; I should be able to figure this out.” “I felt okay yesterday, so this can’t be postpartum depression.” “If I ask for help, people will think I’m a bad parent.” Unfortunately, those thoughts are just keeping you from getting the help you deserve.

 

I create a safe space, where it’s okay to talk about your experience — even the most distressing and shameful parts. Together, we’ll come up with a plan to help you adjust to and thrive within your new normal. We’ll figure out what’s working and what’s not, and I’ll share tools to help you navigate difficult moments and feelings. You can feel like yourself again, and you can find joy in parenthood; you just have to take the first step and reach out to someone who knows how to help.