Not Feeling Like Yourself After Birth? Here’s What Might Be Going On
By Diane Greenberg, DNP, PMHNP-BC
5 min read
You’ve just had a baby—congratulations! While there’s often a lot of joy and excitement around welcoming a little one, it’s important to remember that the birth parent also needs care and attention. Whether this is your first birth or not, your body has been through a major transformation—hormonally, physically, and even socially.
Your body may feel sore, you might be healing from a surgical incision or tear, and even simple things like walking or going to the bathroom can feel daunting. On top of that, you might still be figuring out how to feed your baby, too. It’s a lot of things all at once, and it’s completely normal to feel exhausted during your recovery.
In the movies and on social media, we often see the glamour of post-birth, but not so much outside of the “butterflies and rainbows” narrative. This “fourth trimester” is rarely spoken about: the lack of sleep, the change in routine, trying to balance other children with the baby if you have other ones, trying to keep it all together to be the “super parent” and trying to heal from birthing trauma! Sometimes it can feel lonely being trapped in one place and feeding a baby every 1-2 hours, putting them down for a nap, changing diapers, and repeating this day in and day out. But remember, you are not alone.
My name is Diane Greenberg, I am a certified perinatal mental health provider, certified trauma specialist, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and family nurse practitioner. In this blog, I’ll be talking about postpartum depression: what it is, how it may show up, and why seeking support is important if you’re experiencing it.
Postpartum depression is more prevalent than we realize, and I’m here to help you identify it, because it is very treatable! It is estimated that 1 in 8 perinatal individuals have postpartum depression (PPD), making it one of the most common mental health conditions.¹ Unfortunately, PPD is only identified half of the time, only half of individuals receive treatment, 1 in 5 individuals are not screened, making it a very overlooked condition with very serious high risks to infant and parents.²
Many parents try to hold everything together even when they’re struggling because our society has so much pressure on us that failure is not an option once a baby is born. This means that we put everything, including our physical and mental health, on the backburner. The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” is true, yet in reality, that “village” may be just one or two people—or sometimes even a single parent. Carrying so much responsibility without adequate support can feel overwhelming and exhausting, which is why conversations about postpartum mental health are so valuable.
The Effects of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression, as with all mental health symptoms, can look different for everyone. It is unique to every individual, and can also apply to the partners of the birthing person, too. Even common symptoms can range from feelings of anxiety and sadness to sleep disturbances to difficulty taking care of personal hygiene and having negative or intrusive thoughts.
If you’ve experienced PPD before, or have a family history of it, it’s especially important to pay attention to your physical or psychological changes. Recognizing changes in mood, sleep, appetite, interest in social activities or hobbies, self-care, feelings of guilt and negative thoughts can help you or your support system seek help sooner.
Postpartum depression is usually complex and influenced by many factors. While hormonal, chemical, and physical changes are part of the picture, other contributors can include financial pressures, pregnancy or birth complications, post-birth challenges, trauma, ongoing life stressors, employment difficulties, relationship strain, and the level of available support.
It’s also worth addressing a common misconception: the belief that “taking no medication is best during pregnancy,” which is an outdated idea. In reality, delaying or avoiding treatment for PPD can make recovery more difficult, increase the risk of complications, and create more challenges for both the parent and baby, including bonding with the newborn.
Where to Find Support
It’s so important to know that you are not alone in how you feel. PPD is very treatable, and while the well-being of the baby is important, the well-being of YOU as the birthing person and/or the partner of the birthing individual is equal in importance.
With the right care, we can manage the symptoms of postpartum depression. At Lavender, our psych NPs take time to listen, understand your journey, and get to know who you are to holistically individualize care that prioritizes your goals. For example, in my initial visits, I spend time getting to know you—not just as a parent, but as a whole person. This includes learning about your birthing experience and, if you feel comfortable, talking through the highs and lows that have come with it.
Together, we will connect the symptoms that cause you the most distress with your lived experiences. From there, we build a treatment plan designed to “turn down the volume” on what feels overwhelming, allowing you space to strengthen coping skills and begin healing. Think of it as moving with the current rather than constantly fighting against it. My mantra is that “medication is part of the solution, not the whole solution.” As we work on your PPD symptoms, we’ll also work on long-term, sustainable goals to build healthier coping skills. Every piece of information about you matters to us and we take it into account.
Our treatment recommendations are client-centered and individualized. This means that you are in the driver’s seat of your mental health, and we are in the passenger seat holding a box of tools that will improve and sustain mental wellness. Treatment may include medication, talk therapy, or both, which can power each other up and work well together. It can even include non-medicinal and complementary therapies that have more robust evidence-based research. No matter the path, we are here for you during your prenatal, perinatal, and postpartum journey, every step of the way.
Seeking mental health care is a positive step towards healing and healthier coping. Life can feel especially busy after welcoming a newborn, which is why we’ve made access to care more convenient through virtual visits. This way, you can receive the support you need and deserve from the comfort of your own home while focusing on recovery and bonding with your baby.
References
¹ American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2018). ACOG committee opinion summary: Screening for perinatal depression. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 132(5), 1314-1316. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000002927.
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022, May 2). Identifying maternal depression: Missed opportunities to support moms. CDC Archives. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/reproductivehealth/vital-signs/identifying-maternal-depression/index.html.
All content and information on this website are for informational purposes only. None of the material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This information does not create any client-provider relationship. Please consult with your mental health care provider before making any health care decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.