Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Support
"In our lives, we have seasons of giving and seasons of receiving...as a new mother/father, you are in the season of receiving."
This page is designed to offer resources and support to new and new again parents, of all genders, ethnicities, socio-economic status, and religions.
Unfair and Unrealistic Expectations for Moms
Moms are expected to be magical creatures
Moms are ordinary people and this is okay!
Moms are expected to do everything
Moms cannot do everything and that is okay!
Moms are expected to be superheros or superhuman
Moms are humans. They cannot do it all and that is okay!
Unfair and Unrealistic Expectations for Dads
Dads babysitting
Dads are not babysitters or secondary parents, they are invaluable parents!
Paternal leave isn't necessary or important
Research shows that when dad’s have the opportunity to parent and raise their child, there are positive outcomes. Paternal leave is important!
Dads don't know what they're doing
Dads are highly capable and valuable parents who do know what they are doing when it comes to raiding and caring for their children! We need to stop endorsing the incapable Dad stereotype.
Perinatal Depression: The Facts
1 out of 5-7 women experience perinatal depression
This means that 14-20% of women experience perinatal depression.
1 out of 10 men experience postpartum depression
This means that 10% of new fathers experience postpartum depression.
Baby Blues impacts 60-80% of new mothers universally
Baby blues are a normal experience, not a psychological or psychiatric disorder. Not a mild form of depression but still something very important to be aware of and seek support for, if needed.
Occurs due to the hormone fluctuation at the time of the birth and acute sleep deprivation.
Lasts between 2 days to 2 weeks. If lasting longer than 2 weeks, is not baby blues but potentially Perinatal Depression or another Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder. Please seek help and support.
Usually peaks between 3-5 days after delivery.
Symptoms: tearfulness, lability, reactivity, exhaustion. Does not include suicidal thinking.
Pregnancy or Depression?
Pregnancy: Mood is labile, teary, self-esteem is unchanged, no suicidal thoughts, energy may be low/tired, can sleep but may wake up due to bladder or heartburn, experience joy and anticipation as well as some worry, appetite increase.
Depression: mood is gloomy, irritable, agitated, rage, low self-esteem, guilt, difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, may have suicidal thoughts, plans, or intentions, energy does not restore after rest, feel fatigued, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), dysregulation of appetite.
How Depressive Symptoms May Present
Overwhelmed, "I feel like I cannot cope."
Lack of feelings of connection towards baby.
Inability to take care of oneself or family.
Feeling isolated or socially withdrawn.
Agitation, irritability.
Unable to experience pleasure or joy.
"This doesn't feel like me." "I just don't feel like myself."
Increased somatic symptoms such as headaches, back pain, GI issues etc.
Perinatal Anxiety and OCD: The Facts
8-20% of mothers experience postpartum anxiety symptoms.
15.8% experience prenatal anxiety as well.
2.4-18% of fathers experience postnatal anxiety symptoms.
4.1-16% of fathers experience prenatal anxiety as well.
Generalized Anxiety Symptoms
Excessive worry, often about one's health or baby's health.
Difficulty controlling worry (persistent thoughts, rumination).
Agitation, irritability.
Restlessness, feeling on edge, unable to relax or sit still.
Poor concentration.
Easily fatigued, difficulties with sleep.
Increased somatic symptoms such as headaches, back pain, GI issues.
Perinatal OCD Symptoms
Intrusive (unwanted), repetitive thoughts, urges, or impulses - usually about harm coming to baby but can be related to other concerns.
Common types of thoughts: deliberate harm to baby, contamination (e.g. didn't clean bottle out properly, detergent from soap in clothing, accidental harm to baby (e.g. what if I drop the baby, or hurt the baby in some way), ordering/arranging things (e.g. bottles must be arranged just so), religious (e.g. baby is a demon), checking (e.g. checking if the baby is okay, breathing, more than what is healthy.)
"What if" thinking.
Intense shame and guilt.
Horrified by these thoughts. Thoughts or impulses are experienced as distressing, unwanted, unacceptable, or inconsistent with one's self-concept.
Engaging in behaviours to avoid harm or minimize triggers.
Hypervigilance.
OCD or Psychosis?
OCD: parent recognizes thoughts or urges are unhealthy, experiences extreme anxiety about thoughts or urges, overly concerned about being or becoming "crazy" or "snapping."
Psychosis: parent does not recognize thoughts/actions are unhealthy, may have less anxiety about thoughts or behaviours, may have delusional beliefs about the baby (e.g. baby is a demon, baby is a baby doll), does not have insight about the distortion of thoughts (meaning they may think their thoughts or urges are reasonable).
Perinatal PTSD: The Facts
4-18.5% of parents experience postpartum PTSD.
Average prevalence of prenatal PTSD is 3.3% of parents.
Birth Trauma
An event occurring during the labor and/or birth process that can involve actual or threatened serious injury or death to the mother or her infant.
An event occurring during the labor and/or birth process wherein then woman is stripped of her dignity.
Witnessing the traumatic event (e.g. witnessing parent's traumatic birth process).
Examples: Emergency C-section, postpartum hemorrhage, prematurity or stillbirth, unexpected NICU admission, forceps or vacuum extraction, severe pre-ecplampsia, 3rd or 4th degree laceration, Hypermesis Gravidarum, traumatic vaginal birth, fetal anomaly diagnosis in pregnancy, witnessing partner's birth experience, shoulder dystocia, long labor process, failed pain medications or poor response to anesthesia.
Potential Consequences
Avoidance of postpartum care.
Impaired parental-infant bonding.
Sexual dysfunction or distress related to sexual acts.
Avoidance of future pregnancies.
Difficulties with breastfeeding.
Yearly anniversary of traumatic birth.
Maternal Mortality and Race Disparities
41.7 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women.
28.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for American Indian or Alaska Native.
13.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women.
Statistics are based on the Center of Disease Control (CDC) for 2014-2017.
Perinatal Psychosis: The Facts
Perinatal Psychosis is rare
Only 1-2 in 1,000 women will develop Perinatal Psychosis.
Know The Risk Factors
First baby, discontinuation of mood stabilizer, obstetric complications, perinatal or neonatal loss, previous bipolar episodes, psychosis or postpartum psychosis, family history of bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis, sleep deprivation.
Bipolar Disorder is a significant risk factor for Perinatal Psychosis, which occurs in 20% to 30% of women with Bipolar Disorder. If you are pregnant and have Bipolar Disorder it can be very helpful to have a mental health professional support you through your pregnancy and postpartum care.
Recognize The Symptoms
Poor concentration or disorientation.
Agitated, hyperactivity, emotionally distant, aloof, lack of self-care.
Mood is elated, labile, dysphoric or depressed.
Speech can be rambling, tangential, or nonsensical.
Recovery IS possible!
With adequate treatment, nearly all individuals experiencing postpartum psychosis achieve full remission and then majority achieve good functional recovery.
Please Seek Help
If you believe you or someone you know may be experiencing Perinatal Psychosis please seek professional help right away.
Support Groups
Queer Parents Online Support Group
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
Queer Parents Online Support Group
FREE and open to all members of the queer community who are expecting, adopting, and/or parenting babies up to 2 years. This group is intended for gestational, non-gestational and adoptive parents.
Postpartum Psychosis Support Forum
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
Queer Parents Online Support Group
Connect with others affected by Postpartum Psychosis via this online peer support forum.
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
An organization designed for the sole purpose of providing and creating support for women who have experienced childbirth as traumatic. Offers online forums for mothers and caregivers/families.
Perinatal Information and Support
Perinatal Information and Support
Online Support Forums for Perinatal PTSD and Birth Trauma
Podcasts, classes, and support for your perinatal experience.
Bipolar Disorder Resources
Perinatal Information and Support
Bipolar Disorder Resources
Education, information, resources and support for Perinatal Bipolar Disorder.
Father Support Groups
Perinatal Information and Support
Bipolar Disorder Resources
A guide to support groups for Dads.
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
Online facilitated peer support group for Military Moms is here to help you connect with other parents, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Military spouses, active duty personnel and veteran moms are welcome to attend. Trained facilitators are military spouses and understand the unique stress of the military family life.
Online Support for NICU Parents
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
This online NICU group is intended for parents of babies who are currently or formerly in the NICU. Connecting with others who have experienced the uniquely stressful environment of a NICU will provide parents with understanding, as well as helpful tools and resources. Whether your baby is currently in the NICU or you have finally returned home, our NICU parents support group is here for you.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss for Moms
Online Peer Support for Military Moms
Pregnancy and Infant Loss for Parents
Online Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support group provides connection for mothers grieving the loss of their baby. Led by PSI trained facilitators, this group helps bereaved mothers find support as well as provides useful information and resources to help them navigate the pain of their loss. Losing a baby can be a lonely experience and this group helps provide an avenue for healing and hope.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss for Parents
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
Pregnancy and Infant Loss for Parents
Online Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support group provides connection for parents grieving the loss of their baby. Led by PSI trained facilitators, this group helps bereaved mothers find support as well as provides useful information and resources to help them navigate the pain of their loss. Losing a baby can be a lonely experience and this group helps provide an avenue for healing and hope.
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
Online support group for moms experiencing mood or emotional challenges during the perinatal period (pregnancy and 1 year post birth). This group is here to help you connect with other parents, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, Baby Blues, pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, this group is here for you
Black Mamas Matter Support Group
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood Support Group
This group is for Black mothers who are seeking peer support during the perinatal period up to 2 years postpartum. Our online groups are here to help you connect with other moms, talk about your experience, and learn about helpful tools and resources. Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, baby blues, or pregnancy or postpartum depression/anxiety, this group is here for you.
Helplines
Perinatal Support Helpline
Call: 800-944-4PPD
Text: 503-894-9453
Mental Health Help Line
1-877-303-2642
24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns.
Suicide Prevention Line
1-800-784-2433
Highly trained volunteers and professional staff available to help you 24/7 if you need someone to talk to. Your call is confidential.
Chat is available from 3pm – 10:00pm weekdays and from noon-10:00pm on weekends.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
1-855-242-3310
Offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.