Perinatal & Maternal Mental Health
When it’s more than the baby blues.
Most people who give birth experience postpartum “baby blues” after childbirth.
The onset is usually within the first few days and symptoms typically subside within 2 weeks after giving birth.
Common symptoms of the “baby blues” include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
If symptoms worsen and/or continue following the 2 week mark, it’s advised to seek out support.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
My specialty is treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
Struggling after birth is common; up to 20% of birthing parents experience symptoms of anxiety, depression or a mood disorder during/and or after pregnancy.
You are going through massive physical, hormonal, and psychological changes and you live in a society and culture that it not adequately set up to support new parents and new families in the way that they need and deserve.
PMADS describe a group of symptoms that can affect birthing parents during their pregnancy and postpartum period. These symptoms disrupt functioning and make it difficult to enjoy life.
Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, often includes symptoms of sadness, loss of pleasure, feelings of guilt, and mood swings.
Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, include symptoms such as excessive worry, irritability, and obsessive or scary thoughts.
All of these symptoms can interfere with a birthing parent’s emotional wellness, their ability to bond with their infant, and their overall functioning. PMADs can be easily missed because many of the symptoms overlap with changes that we expect during the postpartum period.
If you resonate with any of the above, please know you are not alone in your experience, and you are not to blame for what you are going through.