Perinatal 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:
Some changes that can emerge during this time include:
- Adjusting to a New Role and Identity as Parents
- Marital and Relationship Changes
- Family Adjustment to the Addition of Siblings
- Prenatal and Postpartum Mood Changes: Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Psychosis
- Family Planning
- Fertility Challenges
- 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 3 women of color (1 in 5 white 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 and can last longer than 1 year if they go untreated. Contrary to belief, PMADs will NOT go away on their own and can turn into long-term mental health conditions, if they go untreated. PMADs may occur even if your pregnancy or delivery was smooth.
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 and can last longer than 1 year if they go untreated. Contrary to belief, PMADs will NOT go away on their own and can turn into long-term mental health conditions, if they go untreated. PMADs may occur even if your pregnancy or delivery was smooth.
ADDRESSING DISPARITIES AND BREAKING BARRIERS in Perinatal Mental Health for Women of Color:
Women of color experience higher rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders but are often underdiagnosed and under-treated. Barriers such as limited access to culturally competent care, language differences, stigma around mental health, and fear of being judged or misunderstood can make it harder to seek and receive support.
Working with a culturally competent provider who is trained in PMADs is essential for women of color to feel seen, safe, and understood. When care is rooted in cultural awareness and clinical expertise, it becomes a powerful step toward healing and helps break harmful cycles of silence, suffering, and systemic neglect.
Working with a culturally competent provider who is trained in PMADs is essential for women of color to feel seen, safe, and understood. When care is rooted in cultural awareness and clinical expertise, it becomes a powerful step toward healing and helps break harmful cycles of silence, suffering, and systemic neglect.
Common signs of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)
Types of PMADs 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
- Panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or compulsive behaviors
- Intense rage, persistent sadness, or emotional numbness
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), delusions (false, fixed beliefs), paranoia or extreme suspiciousness (seek immediate help, call 911 or go to nearest emergency room)
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby (seek immediate help, call 911 or go to nearest emergency room)
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 (rare and urgent)
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Lorena Aynalem, LCSW, PMH-C, LCSW27407 (CA), LCSW3617 (HI), PSI4859