Therapy for Postpartum and Pregnancy

Pregnancy and Postpartum

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There is no one right way to experience new parenthood. It can be a beautiful and tender experience while also being a distressing and worry-filled experience. Our culture celebrates pregnancy and babies yet doesn't prepare women and their partners for this profound life change.

Many new moms experience challenges, doubt, extreme hormonal shifts and emotional highs/lows during this transition. It takes time to recover both emotionally and physically from pregnancy and giving birth.

Why can't I relax and enjoy my baby? Why am I having such a hard time? Motherhood is not what I imagined. I’m not enjoying parenting in the ways I had hoped. My life feels out of control.

You can have a more fulfilling new parent experience where you don’t feel so overwhelmed. As a parent myself, I get it. I understand the immense psychological and physical life change that parenthood brings. In my practice, I have seen the impact of burnout, stress and guilt on parents. I am here to support you in adjusting to this major life transition, and focus on postpartum wellness.

Support for
New Parents

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Caring for a newborn is not always easy or what we expected; there are many unanticipated changes that occur. The first few months can be filled with complex, changing feelings all while sleep deprived, isolated and learning the overwhelming realities of newborn care and infant schedules. The myth of this being a time filled with happiness, easy breastfeeding, natural bonding and innate maternal instinct may increase postpartum anxiety and depression. 

It is also helpful to focus on the process of becoming a parent. Birthing moms and primary caregivers may experience identity shifts through loss of independence, relationship adjustments, confusion regarding the return to work, and grief for the loss of the previous life mixed with hope for what's to come.

Postpartum mood and anxiety challenges can impact any parent, not just the carrying / birthing parent. Dads, noncarrying lesbian moms, two-dad families using a GC, and adoptive parents may also experience difficulties with the postpartum adjustment. Partners may experience low caregiving confidence, feelings of exclusion, guilt re being pulled between work and parenting responsibilities, and grief and loss related to their previous life.

While navigating this major life transition, there is a need for any new parent to feel safe and not judged. It is also essential to take care of yourself. If you are having difficulty adjusting to pregnancy or new parenthood, or you have not been feeling like yourself, please talk about it.

Parent Self-Care

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  • Know that what you are feeling is very common for new parents.

  • Talk to your partner, friends or family about what you are going through.

  • Utilize support systems for emotional support, mental load tasks or help with caregiving.

  • Have self compassion and kindness toward yourself.

  • Expect complex feelings around this life change. It may take some time to reconnect to yourself.

  • Do one small thing for yourself each day. Make sure that you have some periods of downtime.

  • Challenge negative/critical or unsupportive thoughts.

  • Make sleep a priority. Get help for night shifts and discuss sleep concerns with your doctor.

  • Get outside, ideally daily. Even if just for a few minutes.

  • Limit social media use. Reduce comparison to others.