Maternal Mental Health

The intensity of caring for a newborn is undoubtedly overwhelming,  and as a new mom myself, I quickly realized that my mental health needed to be a priority if I was going to care for my little one the best I could. My decision to study psychology stemmed from my interest in the mind-body connection of yoga, intertwined with the therapeutic effects of radical acceptance. Furthermore, my decision to focus on maternal mental health and how it intersects with eating disorders in my graduate work came from witnessing a community need for support.

By spreading the word, as well as offering my own experiences on perinatal  mood disorders, maternal health issues and body image challenges- I strive to provide a welcoming arena for pregnant women and new moms from all walks of life through a series of informative blogs and resource sharing. Contributing to the overall wellness of pregnant women and new moms during this transformative journey is a challenge that must be tackled from various angles- and change begins with awareness and becoming informed. As seen below, I have provided information on common perinatal and postpartum mood disorder signs and symptoms.

If you believe that you anyone you know is suffering from a perinatal mood disorder or has any signs of harming themselves or their baby, contact your health care provider immediately.

What is a perinatal mood disorder?

A perinatal mood disorder is more than the “baby blues” (which occur for about 2 weeks post-birth due to hormonal rebalancing). Perinatal mood disorders include various conditions that affect women during the later parts of pregnancy and anytime within 2 years of giving birth.

Types of Perinatal Mood Disorders

Signs and Symptoms

Pregnancy or Postpartum Depression (PPD)

• Feelings of anger or irritability

• Appetite and sleep disturbances

• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

• Crying and sadness

• Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety

• Racing thoughts

• Constant worry

• Feeling that something bad is going to happen

• Physical symptoms like nausea, hot flashes and dizziness

• Inability to sit still

• Disturbances of sleep and appetite

Pregnancy and Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Obsessions, also called intrusive thoughts, which are persistent, upsetting, repetitive thoughts or mental images related to the baby.

• Compulsions, where the mom may do certain things over and over again to reduce her fears and obsessions.

• A sense of horror about the obsessions

• Hypervigilance in protecting the baby

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• P-PTSD is triggered by a traumatic event or events during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or postpartum. 

• Intrusive flashbacks or nightmares

• Depression and anxiety

• Sleep disturbances

• Exaggerated startle response

• Distancing themselves from reminders of trauma

Postpartum Psychosis

• Rare and needs immediate intervention

• It occurs in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 deliveries, or approximately .1 -.2% of births.

• The onset is usually sudden, most often within the first 2 weeks postpartum.

• Rapid mood swings'

• Hallucinations

• Delusions or strange beliefs

• Hyperactivity

• Irritability

• Decreased need for sleep

• Paranoia or suspiciousness

• Difficulty communicating

Getting Support

Postpartum Support international (www.postpartum.net) has a postpartum psychosis coordinator to provide assistance to women and families who are not in an emergency situation. Contact Felice Reddy at 919-213-0537 or by email at felicereddyphd@gmail.com

Resources

Postpartum Support International. www.postpartum.net