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Pregnancy & Postpartum

This may not be where you expected to be…
but I’m glad you are here…
Whether you are:
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  • About to become a first time parent
  • Or maybe you are facing being a single parent of one or more little ones
  • Maybe you have an entire village behind you

Whatever your story is…
the truth that the media or Facebook doesn’t share with us is that being a parent can be REALLY difficult at times, and even scary.
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And to further expand upon that, what most moms do not discuss as openly as I wish they did is that depression and or anxiety during and or following pregnancy happens more than women realize.

Anxiety during or following pregnancy

6% of pregnant women develop anxiety and 10% of women experience anxiety following pregnancy. Often times women experience anxiety in addition to depression.

Symptoms may include:

  • Excessive worrying
  • Racing thoughts that you have difficulty controlling
  • Feeling ‘doom and gloom’ like something bad is going to happen
  • Sleep/appetite disturbances
  • Difficulty relaxing
  • Panic

Risk Factors for Perinatal Anxiety/Depression

  • Family history of anxiety/depression
  • Depression or depression during pregnancy may be the strongest predictor for later suffering from Postpartum Depression or Anxiety
  • Stressful life events
  • Inadequate social supports
  • Thyroid Disorder
  • Marital stressors
  • Single Marital status
  • Childcare stressors
  • Unplanned or unwanted pregnancy

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Many women develop a birth plan, have hopes and dreams for a smooth, beautiful labor.. Unfortunately it does not always go this way for a number of reasons.

Some of these reasons include:

  • Unplanned C-section
  • Stillbirth
  • Early induction for babies health or moms health
  • Baby goes straight to NICU
  • Mother feels she does not have a voice during labor/delivery
  • Mother has little support/no reassurance, provider has poor communication
  • Previous trauma (birth or otherwise)
  • Vacuum or forceps used
  • Severe complications:hemorrhaging, cardiac disease, severe tearing,unexpected hysterectomy, baby does not come out vigorous and screaming
  • 9% of women experience PTSD following childbirth.

The symptoms of PTSD as it relates to birth trauma include:

  • Intrusive flashbacks, replaying birth trauma
  • Flashbacks/nightmares
  • Anxiety/panic attacks
  • Feeling distracted/unattached to reality at times
  • Persistent state of hyper-arousal
  • Avoidance of factors that remind you of the trauma (thoughts associated with trauma, people, places, dates)

Remember, you are not alone. PTSD is temporary and with professional support you can process this trauma and move forward.

 

Contact me today and start your journey towards healing.

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