Pregnancy and Mental Health Counseling in Pasadena, Maryland
Supportive & Compassionate Care Before, During, and After Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Mental health
When you think of pregnancy- joy, happiness, cuteness, and cuddles are probaly on the forefront. Maybe the thought of pregnancy is exciting and brings on a sense of eager anticipation. Or perhaps pregnancy and parenthood fill the missing part of your family, making your family feel whole.
In a perfect world, thinking and preparing for pregnancy, being pregnant, and post-pregnancy would be filled with all positive experiences and emotions.
There wouldn’t be worry or fear surrounding the pregnancy experience. Deliveries wouldn’t be traumatic or life threatening. And birthing parent’s and their partners wouldn’t struggle or experience shame and/or guilt related to their feelings surrounding parenthood.
Pregnancy and Mental Health are rarely part of the planning process when considering parenthood. It is hard to anticipate something that feels so uncertain. Yet planning for your mental health during pregnancy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself when contemplating pregnancy/parenthood.
Not doing anything potentially leaves you and your child at risk.
Pregnancy is a significant life event that can impact a birthing parent’s mental health in various ways. Hormonal changes, physical changes, and the stress of pregnancy and childbirth can all contribute to mental health issues. Potentially affecting the well-being of both the birthing parent and the child.
For the birthing parent, untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy can lead to complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, and postpartum depression/anxiety. These conditions can negatively affect the birthing parent’s health and increase the risk of complications during delivery.
For the child, maternal mental health can have an impact on the child’s development and behavior. Children of birthing parent’s with untreated mental health conditions are at a higher risk of experiencing developmental delays, behavioral problems, and other adverse outcomes.
You are not alone!
Pregnancy can be a joyful and exciting time, but it can also be a challenging period that can impact a woman’s mental health. Some of the symptoms of mental health issues during pregnancy include:
- Anxiety symptoms like excessive worrying, intrusive thoughts, irrational thinking, panic attacks, irritability, restlessness.
- Depression symptoms like feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness. It can also lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms that can develop or worsen during pregnancy, and it can cause repetitive thoughts or behaviors that interfere with daily life.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to traumatic birth experience, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
- Bipolar Disorder symptoms that can cause extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of high energy and euphoria to periods of depression and hopelessness.
“A strong intention, a relaxed body and an open mind are the main ingredients for an active birth.”
—Janet Balaskas, author and childbirth educator
Find relief today!
At Turning Stone Counseling, we know that not all pregnancies equate to happiness and thriving families. We have worked with enough birthing moms and dads to understand that this experience can be challenging. Therefore we seek to support you and your family throughout the process.
During Perinatal Mental Health Counseling you will experience the following:
› A thorough assessment of what your needs are to help you have the best experience possible.
› Psychoeducation about Pregnancy and Mental Health.
› Tools and strategies to support you.
Our therapists have a range of experience in working wtih Pregnancy and Mental Health.
We have therapists who are Certified Perintal Mental Health Clinicians and/or have done extensive training in this area.
Our Therapists who work with Perinatal Mental Health
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I will experience mental health issues during my pregnancy?
We know individuals who have a previous diagnosis of anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and bipolar are more likely to have a remergence of symptoms during pregnancy. We also know that individuals who have traumatic experiences before, during, or after pregnancy have greater chances of developing other mental health issues.
To learn more, go to Postpartum Support International.
Can my partner be a part of the therapy process?
Absolutely, we encourage your supports to be part of the process. That saying It takes a Village! is spot on and most of us don’t have villages- so any support from your partner can only provide better results.
We also invite your partner to process their own experiences since they too can develop mental health symptoms throughout this process.
It feels so Shameful to not be happy about my pregnancy experience, Is this normal?
Yes! Not everyone experiences a positive experience before, during, or after pregnancy. And unfortunately there is alot of stigma surrounding the expectations of a child within the family. We understand this aspect and work to support you as you navigate through the shame cycle.
Do you recommend medication for pregnancy and mental health?
We are pro- medicine but also understand there is even more shame and stigma associated with Pregnancy and mental health related issues. We strive to provide our clients with the education they need to make the best decisions for their mental health; which may be seeking out a Reproductive Prescriber who has extensive training in this area.
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