FAQs:
Why is this happening to me? There are many theories about what causes postpartum depression. Some life situations that can increase a woman’s risk include hormonal changes, history of depression, pregnancy and birth complications, marital and childcare stress, and limited social support.
Will I ever feel better? Without intervention, postpartum depression can last months to years. Speaking with your doctor, midwife, or a loved one about how you are feeling is the first step in starting to heal. Therapy provides education and treatment specific to perinatal mental health that will help you get back to feeling yourself.
Guidance & Support following Birth
Are you feeling anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed after having a baby? Is motherhood different than you imagined?
The postpartum period is an emotional time for all moms. Many women experience brief sadness and anxious feelings that last a few days after birth called “baby blues.” But if you have sadness, constant worry, or intrusive thoughts that last for more than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression or anxiety. Obsessive compulsive disorder can also occur after birth and involves obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Untreated postpartum depression or anxiety can impact the connection you have with your infant and your support system. Your newborn’s development of a safe attachment is important in achieving healthy emotional, social, and cognitive milestones.
It may feel like you are alone, but you are not. 1 in 7 mothers experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum, and we are here to help.
If you are finding it difficult to bond with your baby, isolating from your friends and family, not able to sleep or eat like you used to, or feeling irritable and hopeless, we want to help you bring joy back to your life.
Postpartum counseling can increase your confidence as a mom and help you become more relaxed. We will use evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy to help you learn new skills to cope with your overwhelming feelings and change your negative thoughts and emotions into positive ones so that you are able to enjoy time with your baby.
Postpartum Psychosis
Although it is less common, some women have psychosis after birth. This usually occurs suddenly and within the first 2 weeks postpartum. Psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. A history of bipolar disorder may increase your risk for postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis requires immediate help and is treatable. If you or someone you love has bizarre thoughts or behavior, is confused, or has hallucinations, please contact your doctor immediately for assistance in getting the appropriate treatment.
Working with Partners
Relationships with partners, friends, and family are important for pregnant and postpartum women. Lack of social support is a risk factor for perinatal mental health, so we want to help strengthen these relationships in your life. We offer education about perinatal mental health and guidance for you and your supportive loved one so that you can work together to build coping skills.
FAQ: How do I help someone with perinatal depression or anxiety? Sometimes loved ones will notice before the mother does that something is wrong. One of the most important things you can do is offer support and empathy. Communicate what you are seeing, encourage her to speak with her doctor/midwife, and offer to help in practical ways. It is important to know that she may be resistant to seek help because she may not think anything is wrong or she may fear the stigma of mental health.
Support with the Transition to Parenting
Are you at your wit’s end with a baby that won’t stop crying? Have you tried everything to get your baby to breastfeed or take a bottle? Are you having trouble getting your baby to sleep?
It seems like everyone has advice about how to get a baby to eat and sleep, but you wonder why nothing is working for your newborn. You’ve tried all of the tips, tricks, and recommendations, and things are getting worse.
We offer parent-infant sessions and parent coaching to new and experienced parents that are looking for support with getting their infant into a healthy routine of eating and sleeping. Together we can figure out a plan to feed your picky eater, comfort your fussy newborn, and improve sleep for you and your baby.
You will learn to read your baby’s cues, practice parenting strategies, and improve your bond with your baby. Finding what works for you and your infant will help bring calm moments back into your life.
Birth Preparation
Are you pregnant and worried about what to expect when you give birth? Does the thought of giving birth make you anxious? Are you hoping for a comfortable and stable birth? Sessions with our therapists will focus on preparing for all stages of birth so that you can feel more relaxed and reassured about what to expect. Self-hypnosis and mindfulness skills will be taught to use during labor, birth, and the postpartum period. We will work together to create a birth plan so that you feel prepared and informed before labor begins.
Untreated mental health concerns during pregnancy can lead to inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition, and risk of pregnancy and birth complications. Without treatment, depression or anxiety during pregnancy can continue after your baby is born.
Hypnotherapy and mindfulness can reduce pain and discomfort, minimize anxious and worried thoughts, increase bonding with your infant and partner, and ease the transition to breastfeeding.
FAQ
How do I overcome my fear of giving birth? Talking about your specific fears, learning about the birth process, and practicing relaxation techniques are great ways to minimize anxiety about childbirth. Therapy can help give you the skills to cope with pain, fear, and anxious thoughts about your delivery.
Clinical Hypnotherapy for Pregnancy
Are you hoping for a comfortable, stable birth?
Sessions will target birth preparation designed to reassure and relax you about the upcoming birth process. Self-hypnosis skills will also be taught to use during labor, birth, and the postpartum period.
Clinical hypnotherapy for pregnancy and birth preparation can help you achieve all of these goals and more. One-on-one hypnotherapy sessions can help you gain a state of deep peace and calm, where you can feel totally at one with yourself – and with the one within.
Sessions will focus on developing a personalized hypnosis recording for you to keep and listen to throughout your pregnancy.
Relationships with partners, friends, and family are important for pregnant and postpartum women. Lack of social support is a risk factor for perinatal mental health, so we want to help strengthen these relationships in your life. We offer education about perinatal mental health and guidance for you and your supportive loved one so that you can work together to build coping skills.
FAQ: How do I help someone with perinatal depression or anxiety? Sometimes loved ones will notice before the mother does that something is wrong. One of the most important things you can do is offer support and empathy. Communicate what you are seeing, encourage her to speak with her doctor/midwife, and offer to help in practical ways. It is important to know that she may be resistant to seek help because she may not think anything is wrong or she may fear the stigma of mental health.
Pregnancy Loss and Infertility
Are you experiencing infertility or planning to use IVF or other interventions to help in your journey to motherhood? Have you experienced the loss of your pregnancy or newborn? Sometimes becoming a mother does not happen as you expect it. Many women have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant and experience grief over the loss of how they were hoping motherhood would happen.
We want to walk alongside you during the difficult parts of this journey. We are here to listen to your hopes and dreams about motherhood. You will learn to use your strengths to build coping skills for the tough times and to grow strong relationships with your loved ones.
FAQ: How do I cope with a pregnancy loss? Everyone grieves differently and will cope with this loss in their own way. You may find it helpful to talk with your loved ones, share your experience with others that are going through something similar, and find ways to honor your loss. If your feelings of grief and loss are overwhelming and affecting your relationships, career, or other areas of your life, please contact our team to learn more about how therapy may be able to help.
Helpful Links for More Information
- Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/learn-more/ • The Postpartum Stress Center: https://postpartumstress.com/get-help-2/ • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: https://www.acog.org/womens health/faqs/postpartum-depression