Prenatal and Postpartum Counseling
Hi, momma! I am SO GLAD you are here. The journey into motherhood invites us to experience intense love and joy, but it also touches our most raw and vulnerable parts. Whether your in the prenatal or post-partum season of this journey, you have likely found yourself experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. In fact, it is common to experience a range of Maternal Mental Health issues, including anxiety and depression. Did you know that 20% of women will develop a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder (“PMAD”) during pregnancy or within 12 months after giving birth? And while it is not often talked about, Maternal Mental Health Disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. Maternal Mental Health Disorders include Perinatal Traumatic Stress Disorder, Perinatal Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Perinatal Psychosis.
Most new moms will experience postpartum “baby blues” after childbirth, which can commonly include crying spells, anxiety, sleep difficulties and mood swings. Baby blues typically appear within the first two to three days after delivery, and can last for up to two weeks. However, some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as Postpartum Depression (PPD).
PPD signs and symptoms may include:
* Difficulty bonding with your baby
* Excessive crying
* Intense irritability or anger
* Depressed mood or severe mood swings
* Loss of appetite or eating more than usual
* Significant fatigue or loss of energy
* Withdrawing from family and friends
* Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
* Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions
* Severe anxiety and panic attacks
* Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
* Thoughts of harming yourself or you baby
After baby arrives…
You question if you’re “doing this right” or if you’re a “good mom.” All the options of feeding your baby feeling overwhelming, and the sleep deprivation you only heard about before baby is now your reality! This feels hard. The simple things like getting out to run errands or meet up with friends now feel anxiety provoking and stressful. Your identity feels fully of that as “mom.” You are feeling helpless and overwhelmed, and not just from everything happening around you, but also because that internal voice and dialogue is as equally critical and exhausting. You long for that sense of control to return to your life. You long to reconnect with yourself. You need to take care of yourself so that you can be available for your baby and your family the way you desire!
Motherhood is one of the most wonderful and difficult things that we will ever do. We all need support on this journey from time to time. I understand how difficult it can be to take time for yourself when you feel overwhelmed and sleep deprived. But I also know that taking the time now to seek help and extra support can lead to an increase in self-awareness that can move you beyond survival, strengthen your bond with your baby, and transform your experience of motherhood.
I have a strong passion to journey alongside women, helping to give a compassionate and supportive voice to issues surrounding maternal mental health. I currently offer in-office (your baby is always welcome in my office!) and online sessions to help ensure that maternal mental health can be prioritized for all women. I also offer counseling for infertility, miscarriage/pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD). I strive to create a welcoming and safe space for mothers to talk, process, and heal from challenges they have faced during their journey towards and transition into motherhood. Helping women manage difficult emotions that can accompany this season of life, discover their inner resources and grow into strong, confident mothers brings deep value to me. Motherhood is one of the biggest life transitions that women experience and I want to support and help ensure that YOU THRIVE during this time!