Often, women find the time shortly after childbirth to be emotionally charge. Feelings can range from outright sadness, irritability, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, sense of being overwhelmed, excessive worrying, and intrusive thoughts.
This can be confusing to new mothers, even if it isn’t your first child. Women envision this time filled with expectations of joy and excitement, which can actually lead to feelings of increased depression anxiety. Many mothers even reporting feeling insecure and worthless because they are having a difficult time adjusting.
What most people don’t realize is that 1 in 7 women and 1 in 10 fathers, experience a Postpartum mood disorder within the first year after childbirth. In fact, Postpartum mood disorders are more common than any other medical complication associated with childbirth that a woman can experience such as: hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia. Yet, even with this knowledge, a mother’s emotional state is often overlooked throughout pregnancy and after delivery. Many OBGYN’s don’t even screen for mood disorders during pregnancy during or after birth.
This leaves a huge gap in care for the mother and her new baby. Mood disorders during pregnancy and after can create a sense of guilt, bringing up feelings such as not feeling grateful enough for the baby, fears and worry about how this will last, and who they can even share these feelings with without being judged.
At Women’s Wellness of the Carolinas, I am here to help you navigate this time of transition. Whether these feelings surface during your pregnancy, during the birth, or Postpartum, the best thing you can do to help your baby is to help yourself. Mothers find this time incredibly difficult to focus any amount of energy directly on themselves, but this can actually make the symptoms worse.
I firmly believe that helping the mother and those significant to the mother is the key to a quicker recovery and most importantly to getting back to feeling good. Suffering in silence doesn’t make you a stronger person, it actually can create shame and make it less likely to seek help.
If you are reading this and are concerned that you, or someone you love, is experiencing a Postpartum mood disorder, please know that accepting help is the best thing you can do for your child. Helping you to become the best mom you can be, is the goal of Women’s Wellness of the Carolinas. Remember, you are already an incredible mom and judging yourself for this, won’t make the symptoms go away or get better. Let me help you through this time. Remember, you are not alone.
To schedule an appointment, please contact me at michelle@womenswellnessofthecarolinas.com or call me at 704-728-0196. I am located in Huntersville, with easy access to 77, 85, and 485. I offer appointments at night and on Saturdays to fit busy schedules.