15 to 20% of pregnant or postpartum women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. If you are struggling, you are not alone. There is no need for you to suffer in silence. And, with the right support, it can get better.
Many pregnant and postpartum women can be very surprised by and experience shame at the emotions and behaviors that can surface. There is a lot of pressure to feel only happiness at joy during pregnancy and after birth. This sets up many women to then feel bad about themselves and like they’re doing something wrong when any other feelings emerge.
Here are some common issues pregnant and postpartum women contend with:
- Increased sadness and depression
- Feeling irritable or angry with those around you
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Feeling anxious or panicky
- Having problems with eating or sleeping
- Having upsetting thoughts that you can’t get out of your mind
- Feeling as if you are “out of control” or “going crazy”
- Feeling like you never should have become a parent
- Worry that you might hurt your baby or yourself
As a survivor or postpartum support and anxiety, I want you to know I have been there and understand. It’s lead me to develop a passion for maternal mental health and obtain a certification in perinatal and postpartum mood disorders so that I could support moms who are struggling and help them feel better about themselves and motherhood.
I offer both in person and home visit support to new and expectant moms so that they can feel better about themselves, strengthen connection with their baby, and feel more empowered in their parenting journey. I can help you navigate through the myriad of sometimes surprising feelings that may emerge during this transitional time.
Pregnancy:
Being pregnant or considering becoming pregnant can bring on feelings of anxiety, doubt, and uncertainty. Getting support to help you navigate and sort through some of these complicated feelings is very important to your and your baby’s overall wellbeing. I can help you move through this maze of feelings and help you prepare for the birth of your baby.
Some things we might work on include:
- Anxiety management techniques
- Mindfulness and relaxation
- Preparing your relationship for the new addition
- Resolving issues related to your own parents
- Envisioning yourself as the mother you’d like to be
Postpartum:
Are you struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, stress or overwhelm? Are you having a hard time feeling connected to your baby? Are you and your spouse struggling with the adjustment of this transition?
Having a baby is not always the blissed out experience you thought it would be. Feeling uncertain, sad, disconnected, and anxious is not unusual and yet many women feel shame about not feeling “joy and bliss” after giving birth. You don’t have to struggle alone.
I can help you make sense of your feelings and offer assessments to better understand where you are in your mental health journey so that I can better attend to you and your needs.
You can schedule individual sessions for both in person and telehealth services. Together we’ll help you work through the challenging emotions and support you in feeling better in your role as mom.
The Postpartum Adjustment Package is also available to support you for the first 3 months of your postpartum journey. The package includes the following:
- 3 home visits with Myriam (90 min each)
- 2 phone or video check-ins (30 min each)
- Unlimited email correspondence
- Understand and work through feelings you might be experiencing
- Learn about the Baby Blues and how they might affect you
- Assessment for Postpartum Mood Disorders
$1200 first 3 months of postpartum
If you’d like to explore working with me, please reach out via email or phone at 415.235.2734 for a 15-minute consultation.