Postpartum Therapy
It is so important for us to realize how drastically our lives change when we have a child. Many people often talk about the joys and love that babies bring to our lives, but very few talk about how challenging it can be to be a mom or new parents. The huge hormonal change and sleep deprivation that set in shortly after childbirth can cause all sorts of challenges in a new mom's life.
You may be struggling in your relationship on how to adjust to your new roles as parents, or you may have feelings of grief and loss of your old, single life. No matter what feelings you may be having, it is so important to have them heard. Unfortunately, we often feel pressure to put 'on' for our friends and families, and feel like we can't share some of our thoughts and feelings. As a Denver Therapist, I want to offer you a place to feel supported in sharing your feelings as freely as necessary, without judgement. I can help support you in expressing any feelings of sadness, loneliness, shame, grief, and overwhelm that may come with motherhood.
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Telling the difference between postpartum depression and general overwhelm and new-baby-related anxieties can be difficult. If some of the the following sympoms fit for you, you are likely suffering from a more general case of stress related to adjusting to being a new mom.
Healthy experiences relative to being a new mom:
- Feeling fatiqued due to lack of sleep
- Feeling occasionally frustrated with your partner
- Feeling occasionally sad or longing for your life before baby
- Occasionally feeling tired, sad, overwhelmed or anxious, but able to feel better with reassurance
- Not being able to sleep at times when you're little one is sleeping (so frustrating!)
- Feeling isolated at times, but also desiring to get out of the house and be with others
- Worries about you baby's ability to nurse/eat or worries about your baby getting hurt that all decrease with reassurance and time
- Aches and pains related to childbirth
- Change in appetite due to busier lifestyle, lack of sleep, and general mom-demands
- Fears about your ability to be a great mom that you are able to voice and share with others
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, you may have postpartum depression beyond what is common stress and adjustment for a new mom.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression or Distress
- Feelings of anxiety and overwhelm more often than not and the inability to be reassured or calmed.
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your child
- Anxious, obsessive or repetitive thoughts that keep you from sleeping
- Feeling as though your child doesn't like you more often than not
- Having aches and pains that aren't related to birth
- Feeling alone and isolated without the desire to be around others
- No appetite or overeating when full
- Feeling like you are not a good mom more often than not, despite reassurance
- Frustration or resent towards your partner that does not go away
- Consistently regretting becoming a mom
- Overwhelming anxiety about having someone else care for your baby
- Any overwhelming or consistently difficult feelings that last longer than 2 or 3 weeks and interfere with your relationship with self and others
Whether you are dealing with general feelings related to new-mom-adjustment or more serious and ongoing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, being a new mom can be exhausting and warrents support and understanding.
You deserve to be heard and, most importantly, to have time for you. Whether you are struggling with starting a family, preparing a family, or making room for yourself and/or your relationship, I am hoping to help support you in your journey.
