Caring for Motherhood: Your Mind

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Mental health and suicide

Seek care at the earliest signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Help is available! Pregnancy and postpartum are some of the most vulnerable times for women to experience mental health symptoms.

One in seven women experience depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum.

Other serious mental health problems can occur during or shortly after pregnancy, such as: obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis.

Mental health conditions impact the whole family, not just moms. Call 911 if immediate help is needed.

Depression/postpartum depression symptoms

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood.
  • Irritability.
  •  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness.
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities.
  • Fatigue or abnormal decrease in energy.
  • Restlessness or having trouble sitting still.
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
  • Difficulty sleeping, awakening early or oversleeping.
  • Abnormal appetite, weight changes, or both.
  • Unexplained aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not have a clear physical cause or do not ease even with treatment.
  •  Trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with baby.
  • Thoughts about death, suicide, or harming oneself or baby.

Contact your provider right away if you need help.

Intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (also called domestic violence) is a pattern of threatening or controlling behavior. Abuse in women may start or worsen during pregnancy. The harm from intimate partner violence can be physical, sexual or emotional. If you are in an abusive relationship, talk with someone you trust. Help is also available for anger control, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and coping skills.

Did you know? Other common issues include frequent head-aches, problems with sleep and appetite, feelings of fear or shame, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Adverse childhood experiences and resilience

The effects of experiences - positive or negative - from a woman’s own childhood can influence her experience during pregnancy and becoming a new parent.

The effects of past traumas, including child abuse and neglect, can appear as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress during pregnancy. Pregnancy and parenting are not easy, physically or emotionally. But they are also times of joy, hope and preparation for the future.

Tips

  • Continuing to build positive connections and foster relationships with friends, family members and other trusted individuals during this time helps to build the roots of resilience.
  • Practicing resilience from mental health first aid
  • Be open to changes and allow for flexibility.
  • Keep things in perspective.
  • Take care of yourself with activities you enjoy.
  • Prioritize your relationships.
  • Ask for help if you need it.

Did you know?  Our minds and bodies are connected. Distress felt in one area may impact the other. Spending even 5-10 minutes daily on self-care activities can help.

Self-care activities

  • Consciously take several slow, deep breaths.
  • Laugh! Laughter is still the best medicine.
  • Listen to music. Find ways to enjoy music with friends. Dance!
  • Working toe to head, slowly tighten and then relax each of your muscle groups.
  • Play! Enjoy a fun, no-stress activity.
  • Take a 20 minute power nap.
  • Take a walk or do a few minutes of yoga.
  • Spend time in nature.
  • Try meditation. Tune-in to your breathing, focus on a phrase or action. Practice paying attention to the present moment.
  • Try visualization. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and imagine yourself accomplishing a goal you want to achieve.
  • Call a friend or family member.