Perinatal Mental Health: What Every New Parent Should Know
By a Therapist Who Gets It
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest transitions in a person’s life. It can bring deep joy, love, and meaning—but also exhaustion, confusion, and emotional ups and downs. As a therapist who works with many parents, I want to talk about something that often gets overlooked or misunderstood: perinatal mental health.
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
“Perinatal” refers to the time during pregnancy and up to one year after giving birth. Perinatal mental health is about how people feel emotionally and mentally during this period.
You’ve probably heard of postpartum depression, but perinatal mental health includes much more than that. It covers depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, trauma responses, and more—before, during, and after pregnancy.
It’s More Common Than You Think
Roughly 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 partners experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. These challenges do not mean you’re a bad parent. They don’t mean you’re not grateful for your child. They mean your brain and body are under a lot of stress—and need support.
What It Can Feel Like
Some common emotional signs of perinatal distress:
- Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or constantly worried
- Crying more than usual
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Guilt or shame about how you’re coping
- Racing thoughts or constant “what ifs”
- Trouble sleeping—even when the baby sleeps
- Feeling numb, disconnected, or “not like yourself”
What Causes It?
There’s no single cause, but some common factors include:
- Hormonal shifts
- Lack of sleep
- Past trauma or mental health history
- Birth complications or a difficult pregnancy
- Lack of support
- The pressure to “enjoy every moment”
Even joyful changes can be stressful. And if you’ve experienced loss, infertility, or trauma, the perinatal period can bring up a lot of complicated feelings.
You’re Not Alone—And It’s Treatable
Here’s the good news: help works. Therapy, support groups, medication (when appropriate), and lifestyle changes can make a huge difference.
As a therapist, I often help new parents:
- Name what they’re going through (You’re not crazy—you’re human.)
- Learn tools to manage anxiety, mood swings, and intrusive thoughts
- Process trauma from birth or past experiences
- Reconnect with themselves and their values
- Strengthen their support system
A Few Tips If You’re Struggling
- Talk about it. Shame grows in silence. Tell someone you trust.
- Lower the bar. You don’t have to be perfect. Just be real.
- Say yes to help. Whether it’s a nap, a meal, or a listening ear.
- Remember: It gets better. Healing is possible, and you deserve care too.
When to Reach Out
If your symptoms last more than a couple of weeks, interfere with daily life, or feel like too much to handle alone, please reach out for support. You are not weak—you’re wise for seeking help.
If this resonates with you, or if you’re supporting someone in the perinatal season, know this:
Your mental health matters just as much as your baby’s.
Let’s keep breaking the silence—and building a village of support for every parent.
