Maternal Mental Health
The prenatal and postpartum phases can be filled with joy and excitement as well as feelings of uncertainty and being overwhelmed. We are interested in supporting you and your family’s health and wellbeing as you navigate these life changes, and are dedicated to raising awareness about maternal mental health and reducing the stigma of perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms which can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. While statistics vary by country, 1 in 5 women worldwide experience perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms of some type. Symptoms may include:
- feelings of sadness and depression
- worrisome or obsessive thoughts and anxiety
- erratic mood swings
- temporary psychosis
About 20 – 25% of pregnancies are affected by miscarriages or stillbirths which can lead to experiences of grief in addition to perinatal mood and anxiety symptoms. Additional contexts which might influence perinatal mood and anxiety are giving birth to a premature baby, or spending time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety can affect new moms as well as the whole family For example, about 1 in 10 fathers develop depression during the postpartum period. NISD takes an integrative approach to your overall wellness, supporting your mental health needs and collaborating with other care providers you specify.
NISD Counseling is an organization member of the Postpartum Health Alliance. Through our MFT Residency Program, we have master’s level, pre-licensed marriage and family therapists who provide affordable counseling. Relational sessions are also available for partners and family members wanting to support your maternal mental health.