What are Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders?

The pregnancy and the postpartum journey can be difficult to navigate, especially when it comes to your mental health. I know your own health and well-being is often the last thing you’re considering when you have a newborn, but putting yourself first is essential in this stage of your life! A happy, healthy mama is what makes a happy, healthy baby.  

Before discussing Perinatal or Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders, it's imperative to understand what is considered a healthy range of emotional or hormonal changes, and what may be a sign that you need to seek a professional opinion. Around three days postpartum, your hormones will plummet. This is happening around the same time the adrenaline and excitement from the birth is wearing off. If you birthed outside of your home, this will probably be your first full day back in your home. You may feel irritable, anxious, and exhausted. You may also experience a lot of crying in this time frame. 

If you experience any symptoms after two weeks that are outside of your typical baseline feelings of overwhelm or exhaustion, seek professional help. Don’t worry, we’re going to talk about what that might look like.

Defining Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

PMADs refers to mood and anxiety disorders that can occur during pregnancy or in your first year postpartum. Disorders that fall under this umbrella are postpartum anxiety or depression, perinatal OCD, and psychosis. We most commonly hear about postpartum depression, but there are many ways that it can present itself. About one in five women experience PMADs in some form. While there are many women who experience this, it’s so easily missed in routine follow up appointments with our providers. Educating yourself about these disorders and ways to identify them is the key to early detection and support. 

Here are a few common signs:

• Obsessing over sleep and schedule of baby
• Getting anxiety when night time comes
• Rage at support person or baby
• Feeling disconnected or numb
• Thoughts that baby would be better off without you

Risk Factors

While postpartum mood and anxiety disorders can affect anyone, there are certain risk factors that increase your chances. Being aware of your risks is key to prevention. Here are the most common risk factors:

• History of PMADS
• Personal or family history of anxiety or depression
• Recent life changes in addition to pregnancy
• NICU or special needs baby
• Difficult pregnancy
• Lack of social support
• Poor partner relationship
• Baby has issues with feeding, sleeping, or is colicky
• Previous infant or pregnancy loss

If you have any of these risk factors, I recommend coming up with a postpartum plan. Make sure people in your support system know that you may be more at risk. It can be hard to hear things like this, so have an honest conversation beforehand about the importance of your support system being transparent with you.

Ways to Prevent PMADs

While there is no way to definitively prevent yourself from having a mood or anxiety disorder postpartum, there are ways to reduce the risk. Educating yourself also empowers you with being more likely to detect things before they feel unmanageable. Remember that your support system is there for you, whatever that may look like. Educate your partner and support network on the signs of PMADS, and encourage open communication with one another.

1. Lean on your support system: A support system is a non-negotiable piece of your postpartum journey. This support system may look different for everyone, but finding support is the best way to help prevent PMADs and overwhelm. Looking into local support groups or online communities, setting up a support schedule with your loved ones, and creating a postpartum plan with your partner are all ways you can utilize your support system. 
2. Find a perinatal mental health therapist: If you already know you are at risk for PMADs, find a therapist who specializes in the perinatal and postpartum period. They will be able to give you tools for prevention, identify early signs, and walk you through your thoughts and experiences to help you feel less alone. Connect with our perinatal specialist today!
3. Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your baby is all you may be worried about, but take the time for you too! This may look different than it did before motherhood, and it’s ok if it's only a few minutes each day. This may look like taking a shower while a support person has your baby, walking five minutes in the fresh air, or even taking a nap when you can. Find what works for you and lean into it!

Be sure to check out our Preparing for Postpartum Guidebook for more information! You'll find more information on PMADs, along with a blank postpartum plan to utilize, a resiliency plan, and so much more! Our guide gives you the tools to manage your postpartum experience with confidence!