Pregnancy, Postpartum & the Transition to Parenthood

Becoming a parent is a transformative life experience that can be filled with lots of joy… but, many times, that joy is also accompanied by struggle.   For some women, the struggle begins with difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy, and can be filled with immense amounts of stress, frustration, sadness, grief and loss.  Other women have difficulties with their mood during pregnancy.  It can be really isolating to struggle during a time when others are expecting you to be excited and happy, but you’re feeling a deep sense of worry or sadness.  And some women struggle after the baby is born.  They may feel intensely sad or anxious, angry, irritable, guilty, hopeless, disconnected from their baby, or they may be having intrusive thoughts that are scaring them. 

Having a baby is stressful even in the best of circumstances (cue lack of sleep, feeding difficulties, and loneliness/isolation) but can be downright debilitating when a woman is struggling with a postpartum mood disorder. Even with no significant mood concerns, the transition to parenthood can be challenging, as a woman attempts to integrate her new role of mother into her identity and sense of self.  This is sometimes accompanied by a sense of loss, in relation to the many changes that can occur in one’s life after becoming a parent. It is completely normal to experience a wide range of feelings related to your pregnancy, or becoming a parent.

As a mom, much of your time is spent taking care of others.  Therapy is a space to focus on and nurture YOU. A space where you can speak your truth, whatever it may be. We will explore any issues that are concerning you, and make a plan to help you feel your best.

What You Need To Know

You are not alone. Studies show that at least 1 in 7 women experiences significant depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum.  Women of every culture, age, income level and race can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth.

You are not to blame.  You did not do anything to cause this.  

With help, you will be well. Perinatal mood disorders are highly treatable.  There are effective and well-researched treatment options to help you recover.   

Resources

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman and Molly McIntyre

 The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook by Pamela Wiegartz and Kevin Gyoehrke

 This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Raskin

 Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts: Breaking the Cycle of Unwanted Thoughts in Motherhood by Karen Kleiman and Amy Wenzel

 Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood by Molly Caro May

 The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman

 Becoming Us: The Couple’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood and Growing a Family that Thrives (the Journey Edition) by Elly Taylor

 And Baby Makes Three: The Six-Step Plan for Preserving Marital Intimacy and Rekindling Romance After Baby Arrives by John Gottman & Julie Schwartz Gottman

 Pregnancy After a Loss: A Guide to Pregnancy After a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death by Carol Cirulli Lanham

 From Three Heartbeats to One: A Gentle Companion Offering Hope in Grieving Pregnancy and Infant Loss by Keisha Wells

 Empty Cradle, Broken Heart by Deborah Davis

 A Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss- Guidance and Support for You and Your Family by Ingrid Kohn and Perry-Lynn Moffitt

 Unsung Lullabies by Janet Jaffe, David Diamond, and Martha Diamond