Perinatal Wellbeing

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Growing a family can be filled with joyous times, but can also be an emotionally vulnerable time for a family filled with countless of changes and uncertainties during this time. Research shows that the healthy development of a child is directly impacted by their parents mental wellbeing. I help provide support to parents and families during the preconception period, through pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

Some changes that can emerge during this time include:

Adjusting to a New Role and Identity as Parents
Marital and Relationship Changes
Adjusting to the addition of siblings
Prenatal and Postpartum Mood Changes: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Psychosis
Family Planning
Infertility
Miscarriage and Loss
Mood Changes: Depression, Anxiety due to infertility, Miscarriage and Loss
Breastfeeding Difficulties
Stay-at-Home Parenting Challenges
Returning to Work Challenges

THE BABY BLUES Vs. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

It is common and normal to experience “the baby blues” after giving birth. The baby blues can be experienced with all types of pregnancies regardless of delivery method. Approximately 80% of women experience the baby blues. It is usually noticed within the 1st week postpartum and peaks at about the 3rd and 5th day. It can persist for 2-3 weeks after birth, but for the most part begins to go away by the 2nd week and typically goes away on its own. Some common feelings of the baby blues often include:

Mild sadness
Tearfulness
Anxiety /worry
Irritability for no reason
Fluctuating moods
Increased sensitivity
Difficulty sleeping

BEYOND THE BABY BLUES

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if what we are feeling is part of “the baby blues” or something more. One in 5 women experience mental health conditions beyond the baby blues, known as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, or PMADs. Frequently, the term Postpartum Depression has been used as the universal term to describe prenatal and postpartum mental health conditions, but specialists are now defining these concerns as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).

PMADs include the full spectrum of mental health conditions that women can develop. They can develop from the time frame of preconception, during pregnancy or up to one year after childbirth. Contrary to belief, PMADs will NOT go away on their own and can turn into long-term mental health conditions, if they go untreated.

Types of PMADs include:

Prenatal Depression or Anxiety
Postpartum Depression or Anxiety
Postpartum Panic Disorder
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Postpartum Psychosis

Common signs of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)include:

Baby Blue symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks
Intensity, duration & frequency of the baby blue symptoms escalating instead of getting better
Difficulty in stopping or controlling worry
Difficulty sleeping, even when given a chance
No longer enjoying things you once did
Feeling like a failure and hopeless, like things will never get better
Feeling tired even after resting

A NOTE TO dads / PARTNERS

The perinatal period can be hard for you too, dad/partner. Having more responsibility on your plate, trying to figure out how to help you significant other and also be a responsive dad/partner can add an element of stress and worry during an already major adjustment to life. Postpartum mood changes can also occur in partners. Yes, you read that right! A partner is more likely to also experience postpartum depression if their partner is dealing with it as well.

Please do not hesitate to get support for yourself. I see dads and partners individually and/ or together as a unit during the perinatal period and beyond as well.

PSYCHOTHERAPY SETTING

Babies in arms welcomed! In-home appointments available*
* fees and insurance coverage vary - please inquire directly

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