Therapy for Pregnancy & Postpartum

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

Maya Angelou

Therapy for Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a season of excitement, joy, and celebration. It can also include major physical changes, hormone fluctuations and big emotional rollercoasters. Parents-to-be may benefit from therapeutic environment where they can discuss the “real life” highs and lows of the season.

Therapy support during pregnancy can also be beneficial for expecting parents who are navigating surrogacy, adoption, pregnancy after loss or pregnancy after infertility.

Therapy during pregnancy may also address:

  • depression or anxiety

  • intrusive thoughts (reoccurring unwanted images)

  • concerns about childbirth

  • gender disappointment

  • upcoming adjustments to identity

  • relationship support for transition to parenthood

Therapy for Postpartum

Countless new and challenging hurdles occur during the first year of baby’s life. The season begins with include healing from pregnancy and delivery, and 24/7 care for baby. Hormonal shifts for birthing parents, extended seasons of sleep fatigue and caregiving strain puts unique pressures on relationships and parental mental health throughout the season. Some therapy needs include:

  • postpartum depression or anxiety

  • intrusive thoughts (reoccurring unwanted images)

  • birth trauma

  • stressors associated with feeding baby

  • adjusting to caregiving role, grieving old identity

  • relationship challenges in parenthood

  • coping with rage

  • struggles bonding with baby

Perinatal Mental Health

The following mental health conditions can occur during pregnancy and in the postpartum phase. Both the birthing parent and their partners can experience these mental health conditions throughout the perinatal season. Please reach out for support if you are experiencing any of the following and know there are proven and effective treatments for the following conditions!

Depression

  • Feelings of anger & irritability

  • Lack of interest in the baby

  • Appetite and sleep disturbance

  • Crying and Sadness

  • Feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness

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

  • Possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

Anxiety

  • Constant worry

  • Feeling that something bad is going to happen

  • Racing thoughts

  • Disturbances in sleep & appetite

  • Inability to sit still

  • Dizziness, hot flashes, nasea

Perinatal OCD

One type of OCD symptom is called “intrusive thoughts”. Parents often have a sense of horror about the thought making them unlikely to be acted upon.

  • Persistent, repetitive thoughts or mental images related to safety of the baby

  • Compulsions

  • A sense of horror about the obsessions

  • Fear of being left alone with infant

  • Hypervigilance in protecting the infant

Postpartum Psychosis

A rare illness occurring in 1 out of 1,000 births. Usually begins within first 2 weeks postpartum. Psychosis includes a “break with reality”. Psychosis is a mental health emergency and requires immediate medical assistance.

  • Delusions

  • Hallucinations

  • Paranoia

  • Rapid mood swings

  • Feeling very irritated

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