Perinatal Anxiety

“Many mothers struggle because they feel guilty grieving while also feeling grateful their baby is receiving life-saving care. But two things can be true: gratitude and grief can exist at the same time. You can be incredibly thankful for the NICU staff while also mourning the experience you hoped to have.” When Birth Doesn't Go as Planned: The Emotional Impacts of a NICU Stay on Mothers By Kailynn Klepfer, LCSW-S, PMH-C
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When Birth Doesn’t Go as Planned: The Emotional Impacts of a NICU Stay on Mothers 

If you have experienced a NICU stay, know that your emotions are valid. Discover insights on healing and coping in this challenging time.
PSI Press Release
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Postpartum Support International Calls for Reform as Lindsay Clancy Case Ends in Mistrial

PSI calls for legal reform after the Lindsay Clancy mistrial and the ongoing struggle to address perinatal mental health issues.
“The benefit of polyvagal tools is that they don’t require any special equipment or a long routine. You don’t even have to be alone to use them. Many of them can be done in under a minute, with one hand holding or feeding the baby. These tools can simply be added to your toolkit and used any time that you need them.” Polyvagal Tools for Postpartum Anxiety: How to Calm Your Nervous System During the Fourth Trimester By Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, PMH-C, Regular Contributor
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Polyvagal Tools for Postpartum Anxiety: How to Calm Your Nervous System During the Fourth Trimester

Learn about tools which offer real, tangible relief to parents in anxious moments during the postpartum period.
“Looking back, I realize my mental health wasn't protected by breastfeeding itself. It was protected by making the choices that aligned with my values in each unique season of motherhood. For one journey, that meant persevering through months of pain. For the other, it meant embracing uncertainty and trusting myself to make the best decision I could for my daughter. The same mother. Different baby. Different journey. Different versions of strength. Because there is no one right breastfeeding story—only your own.” The Moments I Couldn't Fully Hold: What Two Breastfeeding Journeys Taught Me About Grief, Mental Health, and Motherhood By Rhea Sims, MSc, BSN, RN, IBCLC
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The Moments I Couldn’t Fully Hold: What Two Breastfeeding Journeys Taught Me About Grief, Mental Health, and Motherhood 

Join Rhea Sims as she shares her personal breastfeeding journey, revealing the unexpected challenges and joys of nursing.
“[Social anxiety] often sounds like ‘there’s no way that I can go to that mom’s group’ and ‘I’m horrible at making small talk.’ It looks like avoidance of social situations, even when you know that it would be good for you, or attending social events, but experiencing intense discomfort during them.” Is It Just Nerves — Or Something More? Social Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum By Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, PMH-C, Regular Contributor
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Is It Just Nerves — Or Something More? Social Anxiety During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Examine how social anxiety affects new parents, emphasizing support and strategies to cope with these challenges.
“Now, as both a perinatal mental health certified therapist and a woman who lived through a perinatal mental health disorder, I have seen how writing and visual art can give shape to emotions that often feel unspeakable and play a vital role in reclaiming your own voice, making meaning, and ultimately finding healing.” When Words Aren’t Enough: Creative Expression for Nervous System Regulation, Meaning Making, and Healing in the Perinatal Timeframe By Madison Petersen, LCSW, PMH-C
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When Words Aren’t Enough: Creative Expression for Nervous System Regulation, Meaning Making, and Healing in the Perinatal Timeframe

By Madison Petersen, LCSW, PMH-C PTSD Awareness Month "As both a clinician and an artist (with lived experience with both perinatal loss and a PMHD), I have seen how writing and visual art can give shape to emotions that often feel unspeakable…
“There was an intense period where I called the hotline several times a week just to have a voice reassure me I could get through this. The counselors who spoke to me were so kind, so quick to offer resources, and asked some really good questions. It was truly a lifeline of reassurance that I wasn't alone.” Juanita’s Story
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I did the hardest thing: I asked for help.

Feeling overwhelmed? Juanita's journey highlights the need to ask for help when battling perinatal mood disorders.
“I wish every mom would write themselves a love letter this Mother’s Day. You deserve to recognize how far you’ve come–and the strength you’ve built. Ask yourself: What would I say to my younger self? What were my hardest moments–and what did I learn? When did I ask for help? How did I change because of it? What am I most proud of? Remember, you are growing even when it doesn’t feel like it. And you are not alone. Happy Mother’s Day.” Mother’s Day: A Love Letter to My Younger Self To the mom who doesn’t feel like herself right now By Nancy Goh Kelly, MPH
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Mother’s Day: A Love Letter to My Younger Self

Read how new mothers can recognize how far they’ve come–and the strength they’ve built as a result of the challenges of motherhood.
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Violencia gineco-obstétrica y salud mental perinatal en América Latina: cuando el nacimiento deja una huella psicológica 

Un parto puede ser clínicamente exitoso y, aun así, psicológicamente traumático cuando la persona gestante pierde su voz, su autonomía y su dignidad.
“We know that postpartum anxiety is incredibly common, with up to 20% of new mothers and 10% of new fathers experiencing it. Despite how common it is, it often goes undiagnosed. This is because many of the signs are dismissed as “normal new parent worries,” rather than recognized as real symptoms.” Beyond the Worry: 7 Lesser-Known Signs of Postpartum Anxiety By Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, PMH-C
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Beyond the Worry: 7 Lesser-Known Signs of Postpartum Anxiety

Uncover the realities of postpartum anxiety. Understand its symptoms and the impact on new mothers and fathers today.
Survivor Stories "My journey gives me a different perspective and level of empathy for those walking a similar path.” —Corey
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Corey’s Story: Working Through Grief and Loss in Pregnancy and Postpartum

Explore the complexities of pregnancy loss and gain insights on coping with grief and moving forward through the personal story of a mental health therapist.
Postpartum Support International
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