Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which include perinatal depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in the time surrounding pregnancy and the first year after a child’s birth, are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11058917/). Many new parents experience the baby blues, a period of hormonal changes after birth that may cause sadness, anxiety, and mood swings, but for most new parents, these feelings resolve within two to three weeks after birth. When symptoms of the baby blues last after this initial period, providers may assess for PMADs.

PMADs are correlated with parenting stress, relationship conflict, substance use, and suicide. In severe cases, perinatal stress can result in perinatal psychosis. Some organizations estimate that 1 in 7 mothers and pregnant people (https://www.harvardpilgrim.org/public/perinatal-mood-and-anxiety-disorders--pmads).
​
Partners and fathers can also experience PMADs with one in ten partners experiencing postpartum depression and up to 18% of partners experiencing postpartum anxiety (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/scientific-mommy/202407/fathers-suffer-too-the-reality-of-perinatal-mental-health).  
​
Partners are rarely screened for PMADs, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are underdiagnosed and undertreated in birthing parents and non- birthing parents overall.
Facing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder can feel isolating and hopeless. The stress of struggling with a PMAD is compounded by the challenges associated with raising a tiny human being, navigating societal and familial expectations of parents, and juggling work and home responsibilities. Parents may also struggle to reconcile their self-concept as they adjust to their new responsibilities to their child.
 
You don’t have to go through PMADs alone. I have extensive experience with PMADs, and I have training as a birth and postpartum doula, a childbirth educator, as well as Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International. I have facilitated support groups for new parents, provided individual support, and now serve on the board of Baby Blues Connection, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to perinatal parents.
 
Call me or click below to work with me, someone who understands PMADs and can compassionately support your  journey through them.
​
​