Perinatal Mental Health
Are you experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy or after giving birth? You are not alone.
Research consistently shows that approximately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 5 men experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns during the perinatal period (Fairbrother et al., 2016; O’Hara & McCabe, 2013).
The perinatal period refers to the time surrounding pregnancy and birth. While it often includes pregnancy and the weeks or months following delivery, many clinicians recognize that it can extend further—encompassing the experience of trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, infertility, adoption, and the years following birth. This period may involve profound change, joy, grief, or uncertainty, depending on one’s circumstances and lived experience.
Perinatal mental health concerns are not limited to depression or anxiety. Some individuals also experience Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or the resurfacing of prior mental health conditions. Major life transitions, hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, trauma exposure, and shifts in identity or responsibility can activate underlying vulnerabilities or intensify previous symptoms.
You do not have to navigate this alone. At TCA, we are here to support you with compassionate, nonjudgmental care. Modalities we may use during the perinatal period include trauma-informed counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic therapies, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, depending on your needs and goals.
If you are noticing emotional or psychological experiences that concern you, the information below may help you identify whether it’s time to reach out for support. Reading about these experiences can sometimes feel activating, and we honor that. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore what you’re experiencing in a supportive and contained way.
Common Perinatal Mental Health Experiences
Depression
- Persistent sadness or frequent crying
- Feelings of anger or irritability
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Lack of interest in or difficulty bonding with the baby
- Disturbances in sleep or appetite
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby (which are symptoms, not intentions, and warrant immediate support)
Anxiety
- Constant or excessive worry
- A sense that something bad might happen
- Racing or intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty relaxing or sitting still
- Sleep or appetite disturbances
- Physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath
- Feelings of anger, irritability, or rage
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts or mental images related to the baby that are distressing or frightening
- Compulsions (mental or physical rituals) performed repeatedly to reduce fear or prevent harm
- Intense distress or horror about having these thoughts
- Fear of being alone with the infant
- Hypervigilance around protecting the baby
Perinatal OCD is common and often misunderstood. These thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they go against your values and do not reflect your desires or intentions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories of a traumatic event (which may include the birth itself)
- Nightmares
- Avoidance of reminders associated with the trauma
- Heightened irritability or emotional reactivity
- Feelings of detachment, numbness, or unreality
- Avoidance of postpartum or medical follow-up care after a traumatic birth experience
Our Approach
At TCA, we take a nonjudgmental, trauma-informed, and feminist approach to perinatal mental health care. We recognize that parents and caregivers are often navigating systemic pressures, inequities, and unrealistic cultural expectations, and we support clients through advocacy, community-building, and normalization of these experiences.
We can hold space for all thoughts and feelings—especially the ones that feel difficult to say out loud. Together, we work to help you understand, organize, and transform your experience of this life transition in a way that honors your uniqueness and values.
If this resonates with you, we invite you to reach out and schedule a consultation. Support is available, and healing is possible.
