During pregnancy, women may experience a variety of emotions ranging from guilt, shame, anger, fear, sadness, worry, love, excitement, and hope – all at once! New moms (including adoptive moms) may experience the “baby blues”, have feelings of disappointment about their birth experience, struggle to feel attached to their newborn, and experience intense highs and lows throughout the day/night as they learn how to adjust to a new baby. You are not alone!
Are you tired of trying to do it all “perfectly”, only to feel defeated at the end of the day?
Have you read every baby book and feel overwhelmed at the mixed messages, or are you feeling like a failure at every turn when you see other mom’s do it “better”?
Authentic Connections Counseling Center’s therapist Kate Ivey, loves working with moms to help them take a moment to breathe. To connect with their own God-given intuition and wisdom. To reconnect with themselves as a woman, and empower moms to stand confidently in the belief that you are the best mom for your baby.
Kate is passionate about supporting new moms/growing families in the pregnancy and post-partum transition period. Kate encourages mothers to bring their newborn or infant children to sessions to support the important bonding and attachment period after birth, though she also fully encourages mothers to take care of their emotional wellness independent of their newborn/infant – this all depends on what a woman needs (whatever she chooses is ok!).
She is able to visit new mothers in their home for counseling sessions for up to 8 weeks post-partum and works to build confidence and independence in new mothers whether they are returning to work or plan on staying home with their child/children.
SOME INFO FOR YOU on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)….
Perinatal is the time during pregnancy through the first year of the baby’s life.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD) include anxiety, panic, PTSD, OCD, depression, bipolar disorder and psychosis. This also includes the familiar and misunderstood diagnosis of Postpartum Depression.
Apart from postpartum depression, most women (75-85%) experience “baby blues” Baby blues is a mild depression that occurs during the period 2-3 days postpartum up to about 2 or 3 weeks. Symptoms include: sadness, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, trouble coping, feeling overwhelmed and feeling anxious. If these feelings do not resolve and/or become worse it is time to seek support.
According to Postpartum Support International, 10% of women will experience depression during pregnancy and 15% will experience postpartum depression (PPD). Additionally, 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women will experience an anxiety disorder (panic, OCD, PTSD). Most concerning, 1-2 of every 1000 women will experience postpartum psychosis, usually within the first 2 weeks. This condition requires hospitalization in order to protect both mother and child.
For more detailed information, please visit http://www.postpartum.net.
Kate Ivey, MA, LPC, CACII specializes in Perinatal Mental Health
