Postpartum Mental Health, Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Postpartum Mental Health & Wellness
Postpartum Mental Health, Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
Postpartum Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health / Hormones
Postpartum can be a challenging time. After childbirth, a lot is going on inside your body with your hormones and emotions, in addition to recovery and life transitions.
Let's normalize talking about our mental health. Let's make this world a place that celebrates the strength it takes to speak up and ask for help.
In pregnancy and childbirth, a birthing person experiences the largest hormone shift of their life. Dr. Stuebe explains what's happening to your hormones in this quick reel. The ebb and flow of hormones is an important part of a birthing person's life. Hormones can influence mood, diet, and how people feel. The flood and drop of hormones during pregnancy and the postpartum period is natural but usually doesn't feel so great.
The process of becoming a mother is filled with emotions that can range from great joy and happiness to high stress and sadness. It is okay to have those feelings, but be sure you talk about them and seek support. Fitting a new baby into one’s life along with all the happiness, expenses, and change is not easy.
There are a lot of false realities and 'highlight reels' around motherhood and postpartum that suggest women should be blissfully happy and can manage it all. It takes a village to raise a baby - and a mother. We are not meant to do postpartum alone. The truth is that women and their partners are undergoing a lot of changes during this time. It can look messy and not feel great. Birthing people are developing their role as mothers to their infant (each baby is different), going through changes to their role as a partner/daughter/worker, and caring for a recovering body with little sleep - on top of everything else.
Some mental health concerns are considered a medical emergency and need to be urgently addressed. Know there is free, anonymous, 24/7 support available. Learn about the maternal mental health hotline 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS. You can also call 988 or the Postpartum Support hotline/text/chat/app.
This section offers information that might be helpful in getting through this time. Know that many new mothers struggle with mood and mental wellbeing. Birthing families deserve to receive the care they need to be well physically and emotionally.
Topics in Mental Health / Hormones
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs
Did you know some health problems after giving birth are life-threatening and can happen up to a year after you have a baby? Support new moms and make sure they get the care they need. Recognizing when something isn’t right and taking urgent action could save Mom’s life. Learn about and recognize the maternal health red […]
Your Hormones
During pregnancy, your placenta cranks out the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Some of that progesterone changes into a hormone called allopregnanolone, which binds to a receptor in the brain called GABA. The GABA receptor relaxes you – it’s the same receptor that alcohol and medications like valium bind to. During pregnancy, moms are essentially swimming […]
Your Hormones
During pregnancy, your placenta cranks out the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Some of that progesterone changes into a hormone called allopregnanolone, which binds to a receptor in the brain called GABA. The GABA receptor relaxes you – it’s the same receptor that alcohol and medications like valium bind to. During pregnancy, moms are essentially swimming […]
Postpartum Support Plan for New Parents
Like a labor and delivery plan, this is a fillable, custom plan for mom and families to share how they want to be supported after childbirth
Postpartum Support Plan for New Parents
Like a labor and delivery plan, this is a fillable, custom plan for mom and families to share how they want to be supported after childbirth
Postpartum Mother Health Information
Postpartum recovery red flags and important health information after childbirth page
Postpartum Mother Health Information
Postpartum recovery red flags and important health information after childbirth page
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Short videos on postpartum health & recovery FAQ
Postpartum Health & Recovery Video Reel Series
Short videos on postpartum health & recovery FAQ
Taking Care of You
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics
Taking Care of You
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics
Your Postpartum Healthcare Plan
Fillable, custom medical care plan for mom to understand recovery and health information from their provider
Your Postpartum Healthcare Plan
Fillable, custom medical care plan for mom to understand recovery and health information from their provider
Postpartum and Intimacy Checklist
Tips for health care teams to use while speaking with new moms about sex and intimacy
Postpartum and Intimacy Checklist
Tips for health care teams to use while speaking with new moms about sex and intimacy
Feelings About My Parents
Having a baby may open a world of new feelings about your own parents. Have you felt a new sense of connection? A feeling of loss about family and loved ones not around you? Worries because you want to parent your baby differently than your parents did you? Your feelings are all important. The transition […]
Feelings About My Parents
Having a baby may open a world of new feelings about your own parents. Have you felt a new sense of connection? A feeling of loss about family and loved ones not around you? Worries because you want to parent your baby differently than your parents did you? Your feelings are all important. The transition […]
Gender and Non-Binary
Families come together in many different and beautiful ways. We know that there is an urgent need for more information for people who have a uterus and give birth but may not identify as a woman or mother. We strongly believe that all new parents need and deserve respect, support and encouragement no matter what […]
Gender and Non-Binary
Families come together in many different and beautiful ways. We know that there is an urgent need for more information for people who have a uterus and give birth but may not identify as a woman or mother. We strongly believe that all new parents need and deserve respect, support and encouragement no matter what […]
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control. Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]
Childbirth Trauma and Maternal Near-Miss
Childbirth Trauma Giving birth is a powerful experience and the journey often unfolds in ways we might not expect and cannot control. Sometimes women feel that their transition to motherhood is traumatic. This may result from unexpected or unwanted medical interventions during labor and birth and/or postpartum, the speed at which they labored, the way […]
Busting Mom-Guilt
When we become moms, we’re wired to protect our babies. The hormones of labor, cuddling and breastfeeding trigger moms to respond to our baby’s cries. But we’re not supposed to do it by ourselves – in fact, the reason babies have evolved to be cute is so that other grownups want to help take care […]
Busting Mom-Guilt
When we become moms, we’re wired to protect our babies. The hormones of labor, cuddling and breastfeeding trigger moms to respond to our baby’s cries. But we’re not supposed to do it by ourselves – in fact, the reason babies have evolved to be cute is so that other grownups want to help take care […]
New Identity as Mom
The birth of a baby also births a new mother. Having a baby changes us. Research confirms that almost all women undergo “fundamental changes” after childbirth that actually alter their brains. Yes, your body, relationships, priorities, and life change but also your sense of self. This is not something most women expect to happen. As […]
New Identity as Mom
The birth of a baby also births a new mother. Having a baby changes us. Research confirms that almost all women undergo “fundamental changes” after childbirth that actually alter their brains. Yes, your body, relationships, priorities, and life change but also your sense of self. This is not something most women expect to happen. As […]
Transgender Or Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) Parents
For people who identify as transgender or gender non-binary (TGNB) , giving birth brings many of the same emotional changes that cisgender women experience. Your baby is no longer inside you. This may feel happy, or a little sad. Some worries may have gone away, but now new ones are there, as you learn to […]
Transgender Or Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) Parents
For people who identify as transgender or gender non-binary (TGNB) , giving birth brings many of the same emotional changes that cisgender women experience. Your baby is no longer inside you. This may feel happy, or a little sad. Some worries may have gone away, but now new ones are there, as you learn to […]
Communicating with Your Health Team
Talking with health care providers can be hard. If you are lucky to have had an opportunity to develop a good relationship with your doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner before and during pregnancy, it will be easier to talk with them during your postpartum visit(s). Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that make it difficult to trust […]
Communicating with Your Health Team
Talking with health care providers can be hard. If you are lucky to have had an opportunity to develop a good relationship with your doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner before and during pregnancy, it will be easier to talk with them during your postpartum visit(s). Unfortunately, sometimes things happen that make it difficult to trust […]
