Perinatal & Postpartum

‘perinatal’ is the period of time around birth, most commonly defined as the duration of pregnancy and 7 days after birth. ‘postpartum’ is most recently defined as the next 18 months.

For many people the decision to have children or not is a complicated one. Then conception can be challenging. Next, the hormones of pregnancy or stress of adopting. And finally, PARENTING! Whoa! Being supported during these stages of life is beneficial to your health, the health of your relationship(s), and the health of your (future) child. I am here for all of it, whether you are the birthing parent or not. We might explore:

  • PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders)

  • depression

  • work - family balance

  • partner(s) care

  • 4th trimester/postpartum plan

  • boundaries

  • anxiety

  • parenting

  • birth preferences

  • generational trauma/distress

  • childbirth trauma

  • ART (artificial reproductive therapies)

  • adoption

  • self-care

Some statistics (*from postpartum.net):

  • estimated 15-21% of pregnant people experience moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety or depression

  • about 21% experience moderate to severe depression after childbirth. symptoms may include: feelings of anger, fear, guilt; lack of interest in the baby; appetite & sleep disturbances; difficulty concentrating, making decisions; thoughts of harming self or baby

  • around 9% experience PTSD following childbirth

  • up to 11% of new mothers have Perinatal Panic Disorder; 11% develop Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; of those who had Bipolar Disorder prior to pregnancy, 70% experience Perinatal Bipolar Disorder; Postpartum Psychosis occurs in 1-2 of every 1,000 deliveries, and is associated with a 5% suicide rate and 4% infanticide rate

  • about 10% of the non-birthing partner(s) experience depression, anxiety, or mood disorders