Postpartum Mental Health: What I Want Every New Mother to Know

If there is one thing I want every new mother to know, it is this: you do not have to do this alone.

Becoming a mother is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and filled with emotions that many women do not expect. There is often an unspoken pressure to feel happy, grateful, and completely in love with motherhood right away. The reality is that becoming a mother is a huge transition, and it is okay if it takes time to adjust.

You can love your baby deeply and still feel anxious. You can feel grateful and still feel overwhelmed. You can be a wonderful mother and still need support.

Many mothers quietly ask themselves questions like:

• “Why am I struggling when I should be happy?”

• “Why does it seem like everyone else is handling this better than I am?”

• “Am I a good enough mother?”

• “Should I be able to do this on my own?”

  
  

These thoughts and feelings do not mean you are failing. They mean you are human.

The postpartum period is a time of significant change. Your body has gone through pregnancy and birth, which means significant changes in your hormones (which can greatly impact your physiological and mental health), your routines have changed, your relationships may look different, and you are learning how to care for someone else while also trying to find time and space to care for yourself.

As a mental health professional, I want to remind mothers that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, recognizing when you need support is one of the strongest things you can do for yourself and your family.

Your baby needs you, but your baby also needs you to be cared for.

Postpartum Mental Health: The Facts

Many mothers struggle with the transition into motherhood, yet so many suffer silently because they believe they are the only ones feeling this way. The truth is that postpartum mental health concerns are far more common than many people realize.

Research shows that approximately 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, making it one of the most common complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. While postpartum depression is often the condition people are most familiar with, it is only one piece of the larger picture.

Postpartum mental health includes a range of conditions that can affect mothers during pregnancy and after birth. These may include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often related to pregnancy, labor, or birth experiences

• Bipolar disorder

• Postpartum psychosis

  
  

These conditions can look different from one mother to the next. Some women experience persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness, while others struggle with overwhelming anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or the emotional impact of a difficult birth experience. No matter how symptoms present, they are real, common, and treatable.

In recognition of how frequently these concerns occur, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all pregnant and postpartum individuals be screened for depression and anxiety. Mental health concerns can begin during pregnancy, continue after delivery, or emerge during the postpartum period, making routine screening an important part of comprehensive maternal healthcare.

The most important thing to remember is this: postpartum mental health conditions are not a sign of weakness or failure. They are medical conditions that deserve the same attention, compassion, and treatment as any other health concern. The earlier support is received, the sooner healing can begin.

Seeking Support: You Deserve Care, Too

The postpartum period is a time of immense change, and no mother should feel like she must navigate it alone. While it is common to experience emotional challenges after having a baby, it does not mean you have to simply “push through” or wait for things to get better on their own.

Reaching out for support can look different for every mother. For some, it may mean talking with a trusted friend or family member. For others, it may mean connecting with a therapist, speaking with a medical provider, or exploring additional resources and treatment options.

One of the most important reminders I can offer is this: you are still a good mother when you need help.

Motherhood does not require perfection. It requires compassion, support, and the understanding that caring for yourself is also part of caring for your child.

If you are experiencing changes in your mood, increased anxiety, distressing thoughts, difficulty connecting with your baby, or simply feel unlike yourself, consider reaching out for support. You deserve to be cared for during this transition, too.

When we support mothers, we support families. Every mother deserves the opportunity to feel heard, understood, and supported.

Here are just some places and people here to help:

National Helplines:

Immediate Helplines

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7, free support in English and Spanish.

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): Call or text 1-800-944-4773 to connect with trained volunteers who offer local resources and encouragement.

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential help during a mental health crisis.

• National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free text-based crisis support.

Online Peer Support Groups

• PSI Online Support Meetings: Access over 50 free, virtual peer groups. Groups include support for Black moms, LatinX moms, queer and trans parents, NICU parents, and those experiencing loss or birth trauma.

Professional Directories & Planning

• PSI Provider Directory: Find local therapists, psychiatrists, and support groups specializing in perinatal mental health using the PSI Directory. [1, 2]

• Postpartum Planning: Use tools like the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health resources to build a mental health care plan before or after birth.

Local Helplines and resources (Norfolk and surrounding communities):

·      Nebraska Family Coalition: Find local resources and assistance for a large variety of needs: https://norfolkfamilycoalition.org/

·      COR Therapeutic Services, LLC: Offers a large array of counseling services and parenting classes: https://www.cortherapeutic.com/ or (402) 500-6870.

·      Tranquil Lotus Collaborative (TLC): Offers a large array of counseling services and support groups: https://www.tranquillotuscollaborative.org/

·      The WELL: Offers in-patient and outpatient mental health services, as well as a crisis line available 24/7: https://thewellne.org/services/residential-treatment/

·      Parent to Parent Network: Offers parenting and family peer support services as well as crisis support: https://parent-parent.org/

·      Birthright of Norfolk: Offers information about all aspects of pregnancy and parenting, as well as resources for expecting and new parents and help with connecting to additional services: https://birthright.org/norfolkne