**Pregnancy and Postpartum: Caring for yourself in every stage**
**By: Lindsay Kate Skinner MA, LPC**

As both a therapist and a mom, this topic is deeply personal to me. When I was pregnant with my first child, I remember feeling incredibly grateful. My pregnancy was healthy, relatively smooth, and one that I genuinely enjoyed. Like many expectant mothers, I anticipated sleepless nights and the learning curve that comes with caring for a newborn, but I wasn’t prepared for the emotional changes that followed after birth. During those first couple of weeks, I experienced what many parents know as the “baby blues.” I cried more easily, felt emotionally sensitive, and knew my hormones were adjusting. I expected those feelings to pass. But after those first two weeks, something still didn’t feel right. My motivation was very low. As the day went on, I could almost feel a sense of dread settling in each evening. I found it difficult to make myself care for my own basic needs. I remember intentionally making myself get outside or move my body because I knew it helped, even if only a little. In fact, being outside helped me more than almost anything else. What was perhaps the hardest part was the fear that I would never feel like myself again.

One thing I want to emphasize is that I loved my daughter deeply. I wanted to be close to her, and I felt incredibly grateful that bonding with her came naturally. I know that isn’t everyone’s story, and I don’t take that for granted. My struggle was with wondering if I would ever feel like myself again. Looking back, I can clearly recognize that I wasn’t simply adjusting to motherhood. I was experiencing postpartum depression, one of the conditions that falls under the umbrella of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). Thankfully, my story didn’t end there. With time, support, and intentionally caring for my own mental health, the fog gradually lifted. When I welcomed my second child, I experienced a much lighter postpartum season. That experience reminded me that every pregnancy and every postpartum journey is unique, and that healing is possible. As a therapist, I can explain the symptoms of PMADs. As a mother, I can tell you there is hope on the other side of them.

Understanding Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. They can develop during pregnancy or after birth and include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar mood episodes related to the perinatal period, and, more rarely, postpartum psychosis.

While many people are familiar with the term “postpartum depression,” emotional struggles can begin long before delivery. Pregnancy and the postpartum period involve significant hormonal, physical, emotional, and relational changes. For some parents, these transitions can contribute to mental health symptoms that deserve attention and care….not shame.

How Do You Know It’s More Than the Baby Blues?

The “baby blues” are incredibly common. During the first two weeks after delivery, many parents experience mood swings, tearfulness, irritability, or heightened emotions as hormones rapidly shift and life adjusts to caring for a newborn. These symptoms are temporary and typically improve on their own. When symptoms last longer than two weeks, become more intense, or begin interfering with daily life, they may be signs of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.

Some common symptoms include:

Persistent sadness or tearfulness
Excessive worry or anxiety that feels difficult to control
Feeling unlike yourself or fearing you’ll never feel like yourself again
Loss of motivation or interest in activities you normally enjoy
Difficulty eating, sleeping (beyond the expected interruptions of caring for a newborn), or caring for your own basic needs
Feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or inadequacy
Racing thoughts or difficulty relaxing
Intrusive thoughts that feel upsetting or frightening
Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks

Not everyone experiences PMADs the same way. Some parents feel predominantly anxious rather than depressed. Others may feel emotionally numb, irritable, or constantly on edge. There is no one “right” way these disorders present, which is why listening to your own experience is so important.

What Helps?

If you recognize yourself in any of these symptoms, know that you are not alone, and you do not have to wait until you’re in crisis to ask for help.

Healing often begins with acknowledging that something feels different.

Support might include:

Talking openly with your OB-GYN, midwife, primary care provider, or a licensed mental health professional.
Participating in therapy to process the emotional, relational, and identity changes that often accompany pregnancy and parenthood.
Leaning on trusted family members or friends who can provide practical and emotional support.
Prioritizing your own basic needs by eating regularly, staying hydrated, getting outside, moving your body, and resting whenever possible.
Considering medication when appropriate in consultation with your healthcare provider.

There is no prize for suffering in silence. Seeking help is not a sign that you’re failing—it’s a sign that you’re caring for yourself and your family.

A Final Word

If you’re reading this while pregnant or in the postpartum season, I want you to hear this:

You are not weak.

You are not a bad parent.

You are not failing.

And you are certainly not alone.

Whether you’re navigating the baby blues, postpartum depression, anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed by one of life’s biggest transitions, there is hope. Healing is possible, and support is available. At Apollo Counseling, we believe your mental health matters just as much as your physical health. Caring for the person caring for your baby is one of the greatest gifts you can give your entire family.

When to Seek Immediate Help

While Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are highly treatable with therapy, support, and, in some cases, medication, there are times when immediate medical attention is needed. If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, feel unable to keep yourself or your baby safe, or are experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or confusion, seek emergency medical care immediately. Contact your healthcare provider, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department. You do not have to face these thoughts alone, and needing immediate help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you deserve compassionate care.

If your symptoms are not an emergency but you’ve noticed that you’re struggling, don’t wait until things become overwhelming. Early support can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. Reach out to your OB-GYN, primary care provider, or a licensed mental health professional. Healing is possible, and you deserve support every step of the way.

Apollo Blog Series- From Fertility to Menopause: The Mental Health of Motherhood