PSI Blog

“OCD can latch onto the thought, ‘How am I supposed to stop checking when the thing I feared actually happened?’ Suddenly, more rules, checking, monitoring, researching, reviewing, and reassurance-seeking can feel completely justified. If something terrible happened once, OCD says, ‘Maybe I can prevent it next time if I just do enough.’” The Intersection of OCD and Trauma in the Perinatal Period By Betty Flores, LCSW, PMH-C
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The Intersection of OCD and Trauma in the Perinatal Period

Delve into the relationship between OCD and trauma, recognizing the signs and nuances of these intertwined experiences.
“There is no universal timeline for pregnancy and infant loss grief. Healing does not mean forgetting, 'moving on,' or reaching a point where the loss no longer matters. When you lose a pregnancy, baby, or infant, that loss becomes part of your story and lived experience. Grief does not mean you have failed to heal.” SIDS, Pregnancy, and Infant Loss: Navigating Fear, Hypervigilance, and Grief By Betty Flores, LCSW, PMH-C
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SIDS, Pregnancy, and Infant Loss: Navigating Fear, Hypervigilance, and Grief

Understand the fear and hypervigilance that can sometimes accompany loss, pregnancy after loss, and parenting after loss.
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Resources for Immigrant Families During Vulnerable Times

Becoming a parent while facing immigration stress can feel overwhelming. This article offers resources for immigrant families seeking emotional support, mental health care, and legal guidance all regardless of immigration status.
“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.
“...It isn't breastfeeding that harms mental health, but the gap between expectation and reality, especially when that gap comes wrapped in exhaustion, isolation, and a lack of support. The takeaway for clinicians and parents alike: the goal isn't choosing between breastfeeding and sleep. It's building a plan that protects both.” Sleep and Breastfeeding By Natasha K. Sriraman, MD, MPH, FAAP, FABM, PMH-C
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Sleep and Breastfeeding

Sleep and breastfeeding can coexist. Find out how to manage both for better mental health after giving birth.
“If you’re in the thick of it now, I hope one of these books gives you what it gave me – the courage to prioritize yourself, reach out for support, and remind you that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.” The Next 6 Books I’d Gift a New Mom The books that helped me build a healthier, more empowered motherhood By Nancy Goh Kelly, MPH, Regular Contributor
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The Next 6 Books I’d Gift a New Mom

Find the best books for new moms to support your journey toward self-empowerment and balanced motherhood without guilt.
“Post-weaning depression deserves more attention, more language, and more clinical support so mothers can navigate this identity shift without blaming themselves. This struggle is deeply tied to biological shifts, including rapid drops in oxytocin and prolactin. Recognizing this physiological reality can help mothers respond to themselves with more compassion.” The Silent Transition: Navigating Post-Weaning Depression By Angelina Arancibia Rodriguez, LCSW
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The Silent Transition: Navigating Post-Weaning Depression

Learn about post-weaning depression and the feelings new mothers face as they transition from breastfeeding.
“[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.
“When it’s paired with healing, community, and action, [maternal rage] can become one of the most powerful forces for change.” When Maternal Rage Becomes Power 5 ways to turn your anger into advocacy – and make things better for the next mom. By Nancy Goh Kelly, MPH, Regular Contributor
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When Maternal Rage Becomes Power

Dive into the discussion of maternal rage, its impact on new moms as they navigate their journey, and ways to turn the anger into advocacy.
“Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of hope, yet for many it is marked by fear, control, and harm. Understanding [intimate partner violence (IPV)] prevalence, risks, and the life-saving role of safety planning is essential to supporting survivors with compassion and care.” Navigating Pregnancy While Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence By Alejandra M. Esparza, LPC, LCDC, EMDR-Certified
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Navigating Pregnancy While Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Gain insights into pregnancy and intimate partner violence, emphasizing the importance of safety planning and compassion for survivors.
“For BIPOC communities, the data is alarming; although rates of diagnosis have increased, the BIPOC community continues to lack adequate screening, with research suggesting that women of color are often less likely to receive equitable screening and, even when symptoms are present, they are less likely to have those symptoms recognized by providers, and thus receive a diagnosis and care, despite being at increased risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.” Bridging the Gap: Why Culturally Responsive Care Matters in Postpartum Recovery By Yaranil Ferrer, LCSW, PMH-C
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Bridging the Gap: Why Culturally Responsive Care Matters in Postpartum Recovery

Uncover the significance of culturally responsive care in improving diagnosis and treatment for perinatal mental health disorders.
“Weaning can bring real emotional shifts because of hormonal changes in the body, not just thoughts or circumstances. A therapist, peer support group, or healthcare provider trained in perinatal mental health can help you process both the grief and the biology behind what you’re feeling. Mood changes, anxiety, or sadness during weaning are common and treatable — you do not have to carry them alone.” The quiet grief of not feeding the way you planned By Iza Thiago-Munoz, MA, IBCLC
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The Quiet Grief of Not Feeding the Way You Planned 

Discover the complex feelings surrounding when breastfeeding ends. It is normal to feel sadness and confusion during this transition.
Postpartum Support International
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