Postpartum Mental Health - How can a Therapist Help You?
If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety or psychosis, phone or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) 24/7 or dial 911.
The case of Lyndsay Clancy is highlighting severe gaps in our mental health system, particularly for those during the perinatal (before and after birth) period of time. It has made me consider my own postpartum experience, highlighting how lacking our mental health support system is for new moms.
10 years ago I gave birth to a child. I had a fairly normal birth with some minor complications afterwards. The shifting hormones sent my body into severe postpartum anxiety and insomnia. I spent 6 nights with zero hours of sleep and began to lose track of reality. Before this, I had felt successful and in control. I was educated, engaged in my community and supported by my partner. I was confused, surprised and scared by what I was feeling.
I went to my OB-Gyn and reported my symptoms. They didn’t know what to do so they sent me to the hospital emergency room. The familiar point of contact I’d had throughout my pregnancy failed to support me. Four days after birthing a human being, 3 days after a 36-hour marathon of labor, the hospital tried to medicate me with several medications, from benzodiazepines to anti-psychotics to sleep medications, all at the same time.
I was incredibly lucky. A family member would not consent to pumping me full of medications in the emergency room. Instead, they called the Michigan Medicine Perinatal clinic, a specialty center that understands challenges of the peripartum period.
My case is not isolated. As a therapist I hear echoes of cases similar to this all the time.
What has been made clear in listening to the Lindsay Clancy case over the past month is that the mental health system failed Clancy, her family, and her children. And that she is not alone in having felt desperate navigating symptoms, medication and a looming return to work . Perinatal mental health is a unique specialty; it involves understanding life changes, sleep deprivation, extreme stress, hormone changes, societal expectations and so much more.
How many women experience postpartum mental health symptoms? 1 in 7 women in the US experience postpartum depression and 1 in 5 women experience postpartum anxiety. Usually in silence. Usually while parenting. Often while also working and managing matters in their home. Although online support has improved, society still struggles making space for a woman who has a “perfect baby” but struggles to connect with it, or feels numb.
How does postpartum depression show up?
Postpartum depression can show up as mood swings, teary spells, inability to feel joy, feeling numb or inability to feel anything for your child. It can also include the accompanying negative feelings of worthlessness or of being a bad person. Hopelessness – feeling empty of sad, or worried and anxious – are also common signs.
How do I know if I or someone I love is experiencing postpartum psychosis?
The biggest challenge of postpartum psychosis is that when a mother experiences the symptoms, they can be frightening and isolating. This is where having an established support group that a mother trusts is crucial. Symptoms to look out for include:
Insomnia
agitation and restlessness (feeling irritated, paranoid or acting unlike yourself)
Extreme confusion, inability to manage daily tasks and feeling dream-like
Acting out of character with actions or words that are not typical to the mother
Delusions and/or hallucinations including seeing, hearing or smelling things, as well as bizarre beliefs about mother or newborn
Urgent safety risks: thoughts of suicide or of harming self or the child
How can I find a therapist to support me during pregnancy and childbirth?
All therapists who have completed rigorous training to obtain their license should have basic understanding of the symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis. A therapist who lists pregnancy and birth and postpartum mental health is a good candidate.
How do providers fail women in the postpartum period? No one practitioner is responsible for the period of time after birth. Many practitioners try to fill in what they know, but there is often no connectivity between them, causing birthing women to become their own case managers at a time they are most depleted.
Protect yourself by securing an advocate.
If you or someone you know is planning to become pregnant or is already pregnant, as a practitioner, as a mother and as someone who has been there I recommend the following:
Get your mental health stuff in order before you give birth. Build your team, make sure that you have a therapist you know and trust, a trusted psychiatrist, PCP or mental health professional who can provide medication if needed. Share your mental health plan with your OBGYN team as part of your birth plan.
Accept help. Gather a team who can support with meal delivery, cleaning, and shopping. Designate one point person who can create meal trains, shopping lists, etc. to support you for the first few weeks.
Develop a list of emergency providers who specialize in perinatal health care in your area prior to giving birth. For those in Michigan, the following are trusted providers:
Perinatal and Reproductive Psychiatry Clinic at the University of Michigan
You can contact Intuitive Therapy Partners for a free consultation to determine whether one of us could help you through your pregnancy and childbirth journey. Consultations are free of charge and are confidential.
Meghan Sobocienski, LMSW, the author of this blog, is a parent and has experience caring for women before and after the birth period. Schedule a free consultation or read more on Meghan Sobocienski’s therapist profile. Meghan Sees clients in person in Ann Arbor, MI, with telehealth options available. She accepts BCBS and BCN.
Sarah Cissell, LMSW has trained as a postpartum doula and has experience working with women as they navigate the challenges of the first year of their child’s life. Schedule a free consultation using this link.
