Maternal Wellness

Everyone seems to be managing… except you.

We’re surrounded by pregnant women, new mothers, and babies… and they all seem to be healthy, happy, and enjoying the best time of their life. Just look at those tears of joy!

But it’s not always what it seems. Many others are crying… but without the joy.

Maybe you’re struggling with infertility issues… counting the days as life passes you by, month after month, and you’re still waiting through treatments and fear that seem endless.

Or perhaps you’re one of the ones whose pregnancy is fraught with physical and emotional pain that impacts every aspect of your life.

Or just maybe you’re a new mom with unsettled hormones, an aching body, and sleep problems… and you’ve having a hard time focusing on anything but the pain – let alone that utterly helpless baby that is completely dependent on you.

Having a baby is not always “love at first sight.”

It’s been nine long months.

You’ve planned for it. You’ve read all the books. You’ve consulted with friends and family.

You’re prepared for it. You’ve watched the movies and read the blog posts about how exciting this time is. You’ve waited for it.

And, now, you’ve done it. You’ve had your baby. Your bundle of joy is finally here.

But those images of new moms crying tears of joy and gushing with love seem so far away. Instead, you might be confused and conflicted:

“I love my baby, but sometimes when she cries in middle of the night I feel a sense of dread.”

“I dreamed about having a baby, but now I wonder if I have what it takes to be a good parent.”

“If I’m honest, sometimes I’m pretty resentful that I don’t have any time for anything but the new baby.”

“My baby is amazing, but I can’t stop worrying that something bad will happen to him.”

There are all sorts of external expectations for you as a new mom who is supposed to be in love with her baby. So, when you hear someone ask, “Isn’t this the most amazing miracle?”… you very well might want to scream, “NO, it isn’t!”

Trust me… you are NOT the only one.

The voices of women struggling with infertility, pregnancy, or new motherhood can sound very different; and emotions can vary and shift from joy and excitement to exhaustion and stress.

As many as 50-75% of new mothers experience some form of “baby blues,” and some women go on to develop postpartum depression or anxiety.

So beware those “influencers” portraying that “perfect mom life” on social media. There are real moms out there speaking honestly and frankly about motherhood. There’s much comfort in seeing others who struggle in the same ways and live to tell (and even joke) about it.

Therapy can help, and the sooner you start…

… the sooner you’ll feel better. Supportive friends and family are a blessing, but having an outside perspective can really change the way you feel about things.

Therapy provides you a space to speak freely and without judgment. This is the place to say all those scary thoughts out loud (and find out you’re not crazy).

Therapy can help you deal with the emotional trauma and relationship strain that result from ongoing infertility struggles. As a therapist that is objective and has experience working with individuals struggling with infertility, I will guide you through the challenges that come up as a result of it.

Therapy can help you build and gain a healthier perspective on so many of the negative thoughts that might be floating around in your mind. Therapy helps to reframe situations and provides insight and alternatives to those negative thoughts.

Therapy can help you learn skills to help minimize overwhelming feelings, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and learn to express your needs in a way that they will be met. (And if getting out seems impossible, check out my online therapy page.)

Therapy can help you deal with and manage your anxiety and depression. It can help you work through grief and navigate relationship issues and social isolation that often accompany this struggle.