The journey of becoming a new mom is full of ups and downs, and there is a lot of pressure on new moms to feel a certain way.
The reality is that there are many emotions that come with becoming a mother, and not all of them are positive.
These feelings are common, but they don’t have to overshadow the early days of motherhood. Therapy gives new moms practical tools for handling postpartum anxiety and depression, plus support for navigating all the identity shifts and lifestyle changes a newborn brings.
You don’t have to ride the emotional rollercoaster alone – or settle for advice like “sleep when the baby sleeps,” which, let’s be honest, rarely helps with what you’re really feeling. Chicago has therapy options built specifically for the unique pressures new parents face in a city this big and busy.
Knowing what postpartum stress looks like, when to reach out, and what kinds of support are available can make a real difference in how you recover and feel as a new mom.
Understanding Postpartum Stress and Anxiety
Emotional shifts after childbirth are completely normal, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed if you go through this.
These can range from mild mood changes to clinical conditions that need professional support. The important thing here is to recognize your symptoms and know when to get help.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Postpartum anxiety can show up in many forms. You might find yourself worrying all the time, or facing physical symptoms that get in the way of daily life.
Physical symptoms can include a rapid heartbeat, tight chest, trouble breathing, or muscle tension. Sleep issues that go beyond the usual newborn routine are another red flag.
Maybe you can’t sleep even when your baby does, or intrusive thoughts keep you awake. Restlessness, irritability, and trouble focusing are also pretty common signs.
Common symptoms include:
- Excessive worry about the baby’s wellbeing
- Panic attacks or feelings of dread
- Difficulty relaxing or sitting still
- Physical symptoms like dizziness or nausea
- Intrusive, distressing thoughts
- Hypervigilance about potential dangers
Differentiating Postpartum Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
It’s important to distinguish between postpartum stress, anxiety and depression, as these are all different.
The ‘baby blues’ affects most new moms, and only lasts for a few weeks in most cases. The baby blues are caused by mostly hormonal changes, as well as other factors like the lack of sleep and worrying about how life has changed.
Postpartum anxiety, on the other hand, persists for months and involves persistent ‘what if’ thoughts around the babies safety or your parenting ability. You can read more about this here.
Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that affects new moms during pregnancy or within 1 year of giving birth. Most new moms who suffer from this don’t get diagnosed, and symptoms include persistent sadness, fatigue and a loss of interest in activities.
Factors That Contribute to Postpartum Mental Health Challenges
Childbirth places the body under a lot of stress, and there are many factors that contribute to mental health challenges for new moms after they give birth.
These include:
- Hormonal changes
- Sleep deprivation
- Baby-related worry and stress
- History of mental health issues
- Complications during pregnancy
It’s important to be easy on yourself with how you are feeling, and seek out help when needed. At Nexum, we offer therapy designed specifically for new moms in Chicago, helping new moms find the support they need.
How Therapy Helps New Moms Cope
Therapy gives new moms evidence-based tools for managing postpartum stress and anxiety.
It’s not just about immediate symptoms; it’s about addressing the underlying cause and learning methods to address these.
Evidence-Based Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you spot and challenge negative thoughts that fuel anxiety. It’s about seeing your abilities as a mom more realistically, not through a harsh lens.
Interpersonal therapy focuses on how your relationships and life transitions have shifted since becoming a mom. It’s especially helpful if you’re feeling strained with your partner, family, or friends.
Benefits of Postpartum Therapy
Postpartum therapy has many benefits, including the following:
- Letting you get your thoughts and feelings out in the open
- You can work through your feelings to understand why you feel the way that you do, and why it isn’t your fault
- You can learn techniques to help you manage your symptoms and feel more confident
Of course, this is only scratching the surface.
Tailoring Therapy to Individual Needs
Another great benefit of therapy is that the treatment will be suited to your specific circumstances.
Not every new mom will feel the same, and therapy is there to help you understand your feelings and what you can do about them.
If you’re worried that you’ll receive generic advice, then we highly recommend looking through our therapist profiles to see their experience and how they tailor their sessions to the clients.;
Support Networks
While therapy is transformative in dealing with the new feelings of motherhood, having a strong support network is also super important.
That’s why we always recommend involving other people in the process and sharing how you feel, when you are comfortable with this.
Your partner, other family members, and friends should be there to support you and you should feel like you can rely on them. Therapy is just one piece of the puzzle.
Get In Touch Today
If you are struggling with new feelings around being a mom, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
We will be able to connect you with a licensed therapist with years of experience helping people who are going through what you are experiencing.
