Being a new mom is supposed to be the most special, magical time of your life, right? You should treasure every moment, right? Not always. Being a new mom can be hard in the best of circumstances. Adding in self doubt, isolation, and anxiety can make this time period feel like more than you can handle. Many new moms feel like something is off, or that they are not quite themselves. It can be hard to know if what you are feeling is normal, exhaustion, or something more. This is such a vulnerable time and it’s important to know that you are not alone.

For some women, this feeling starts during pregnancy. For others, it’s after the birth not being quite what you expected. Even if you and the baby are safe and healthy, you may feel like you lost some control. It might have been scary. For other women, the unsettling feelings start any time in the first year or so. It is never too late or too early to ask for help.

As many as 1 in 5 birthing individuals experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and at least 90% of birthing parents report having intrusive thoughts. These can be scary and isolating. But you are not alone. Perinatal mood disorders are the most common complication of childbirth and together we will work to identify the source of your pain so that you can heal and move towards being a confident, well supported parent.