Meeting Yourself as a Mother

Postpartum Mental Health in the “Transitioning to Motherhood” Stage of Life

Women can take on many roles in their lives: daughters, sisters, caregivers, students, and educators just to name a few.

These roles can change in our lives and we learn to adapt. However, becoming a mother is a role that you really cannot prepare for or understand until you become a mother yourself.

Research validates that transitioning to motherhood is a life-altering and identity-changing phase of life that can have psychological and physiological effects on a woman.

Although you hope motherhood is blissful, sweet and a time of bonding with your newborn, many women find that becoming a mother means much more than bringing a new life into this world.

Motherhood means recovering and healing your body from pregnancy, worrying tirelessly about your baby, dealing with postpartum mental health concerns like anxiety and/or depression, and trying to take care of yourself and your responsibilities while prioritizing your newborn. 

Navigating the transition to motherhood along with all the other roles you already hold can be tiring and difficult to adjust to. As the saying goes, “it takes a village” and LunaJoy provides therapeutic services for women that can help them acclimate to their new role as a mother and guide them through the psychological and physiological changes associated with this transition.

Before you begin, remember that our professionals are always here to help

The Transition to Motherhood 101

Becoming a mother is an experience like no other that no amount of literature, anecdotes, or professionals can genuinely and fully prepare you for. But experts and evidence-based studies can help provide you with some facts and information about common motherhood experiences that first-time moms or even veteran moms can find comforting and reassuring.

Most women expect motherhood to come naturally like a switch is flipped when you meet your child for the first time. Therefore, when a woman finds herself struggling, asking for help, or feeling like an inadequate mother, these negative feelings are amplified by this notion. 

When it comes to postpartum mental health, terms like sadness, depression anxiety, or psychosis are often what we hear associated with motherhood. These concepts can be scary and can be viewed as a weakness or a failure to some moms, but in reality, it is a far more common psychological and physiological response to motherhood than many people realize. 

Growing a child is no small feat. Your body and mind may take time to recover physically as well as chemically. Hormones are all over the place, and emotions are high and that is perfectly normal. However, for some women, the transition to motherhood can have a more prominent effect. 

It is important to note that suffering from postpartum depression does not make you a bad or unfit mother. In fact, studies show around one in seven women will develop postpartum depression and prolong their adjustment period into motherhood. 

Postpartum Mental Health

Whether you heard it referred to as baby blues, hyper/hypothyroidism, or postpartum psychosis, there are all common diagnoses that some women will experience after giving birth.

Fortunately, these symptoms are typically temporary and many professionals are educated and trained in helping women with postpartum depression to help make the first few days, weeks, or months with their newborn a special time. 

Common postpartum symptoms to consult with your doctor can include but are not limited to a depressed mood more often than not, loss of interest, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt, loss of energy or fatigue, change in weight or appetite, impaired concentration and/or decisiveness or suicidal ideation or attempt and recurrent thoughts of death. 

Let’s Hear it for the Moms

Motherhood is rarely what you expect, and that holds true for the good and bad.  Raising a baby is so much more than being a “good mother” or a “bad mother.” It is a lot of learning, a lot of trial and error, a lot of feeling overwhelmed, and most importantly, a lot of love; for yourself, your child, and your family. 

Motherhood is accompanied by a lot of anxiety and stress. Especially with a newborn, moms can exist almost constantly in a state of worry. “Why is my baby crying? Are they ok? Are they hungry? Does something hurt?” and the ever-present, “Am I doing an ok job?” are questions most mothers feel overwhelmed with.

Though it is easy to get lost in the responsibility assumed by becoming a parent and caring for a newborn, it is important to remember there are many different parenting styles and approaches. If you are trying, you need to cut yourself some slack.

Your baby is new to the world and you are new to motherhood this is a role that (even though we assume it to be natural and instinctive) is a process and takes time to feel comfortable in your new role. If you need support in this life-altering transition, consult with LunaJoy experts who can help you navigate motherhood and make the most of this time.