Parenthood is portrayed as a joyous and fulfilling experience. While this is true for many, a range of mental health concerns can also accompany it. Oftentimes, a client will tell me, “I feel different than I expected I would feel during pregnancy.” Or, “I waited so long to be pregnant, shouldn’t I be ecstatic and not feeling off like I do?” Let’s lose the “shoulds” and talk about perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental health refers to the psychological well-being of individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period. I also include the fertility process as part of perinatal mental health because trying to conceive can also impact an individual’s mental health. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of understanding perinatal mental health and delve into the benefits of seeking therapy during this time.
Breaking the Silence: Perinatal mental health encompasses a spectrum of conditions ranging from mild mood shifts to severe postpartum depression and anxiety. The pressures and expectations surrounding parenthood, coupled with intense physical and hormonal changes, and sleep deprivation can significantly impact a person’s overall wellness as they transition to parenthood. For many years, new parents, especially mothers, kept their postpartum emotions to themselves. Unfortunately, there was (and still is) a social stigma attached to mothers who experience anxiety and depression following childbirth. Society inadvertently instilled the belief in mothers that these emotions make them inadequate parents who fail to establish a strong attachment to their baby. In more recent years, there has been an increased recognition of the importance of postpartum support, and individuals are now actively encouraged to talk about their feelings.
Therapy offers a holistic and effective approach to support and treat individuals managing perinatal mental health concerns. Here’s why:
Safe Space for Expression: Therapy provides a nonjudgemental and compassionate space where individuals can openly express their thoughts, fears, and anxieties related to fertility, pregnancy, and parenthood. This environment allows for validation, understanding, and the development of coping strategies.
Developing Coping Skills: Therapists specializing in perinatal mental health can help parents navigate the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the transition to parenthood. Therapy equips individuals with effective coping skills to manage stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
Partner & Family Support: Perinatal mental health challenges extend beyond the individual and impact their relationships with partners, family members, and friends. Therapy provides a platform for open communication, helping partners and loved ones to understand and support each other through this period and beyond.
Proactive Prevention: Addressing perinatal mental health concerns early can mitigate their long-term effect.
Finding Joy: Acknowledging difficult feelings and working through them in a nurturing space helps parents to enjoy the postpartum period - the baby snuggles and the tiny milestones that mark a baby’s growth and development.
Understanding perinatal mental health and seeking therapy for support can be transformative, ensuring a healthy and fulfilling transition to parenthood. Trying to become pregnant, pregnancy, and parenthood can be hard, but honoring difficult moments as part of the process allows parents to fully appreciate the precious moments and cherish the time with their growing family. So mamas, give yourselves grace and permission to reach out for help when needed.