understanding postpartum mental health

Becoming a Mom is a powerful, emotional transformation. While it can bring so much joy, it can also bring mental health changes beyond the typical “baby blues”.

When it comes to the “baby blues”, most new Moms will get them. The typical “baby blues” consist of hormonal shifts that cause anxiety, crying and restlessness. They tend to last for roughly 2-weeks as hormones level out after giving birth (Mayo Clinic).

It’s when these symptoms continue to last, become persistent and/or overwhelming that it makes sense to speak to a Therapist or licensed medical professional to get help managing them.

To help you better understand the different and more common mental health challenges faced, we broke it down for you.

💭 Postpartum Anxiety - This goes beyond “new mom nerves.”

Postpartum anxiety can feel like: 

• Constant worry that something bad will happen to the baby
• Racing thoughts that are hard to turn off
• Trouble sleeping—even when the baby is asleep
• Physical symptoms like a racing heart, nausea, or shakiness

It’s often invisible on the outside, but very real and exhausting on the inside.

🔥 Postpartum Rage - Not often talked about—but incredibly common. 

This can feel like:

• Sudden, intense bursts of anger or irritability
• Feeling like you're on edge all the time
• Guilt or shame about how reactive you’ve become 

Rage is usually a symptom of something deeper, like unmet needs, hormonal shifts, or burnout. Remember - You're not a bad mom—your body and brain are overwhelmed.

🌀 Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not about being tidy—it's about:

• Intrusive, distressing thoughts (often about harm coming to your baby)
• Compulsions or rituals to try to “neutralize” those thoughts (like checking on the baby constantly)
• Feeling terrified or ashamed of these thoughts, even though you’d never act on them 

These thoughts are symptoms, not signs of danger. They’re scary, but treatable.

🌫 Postpartum Depression - This is more than “baby blues”.

Signs include:

• Persistent sadness or hopelessness
• Disconnection from your baby or loved ones
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Feeling like you’re failing or that your baby would be better off without you
  

If any of this resonates: you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault.

If this is experience that you have, please seek support immediately from a trained medical or mental health provider. If you are having trouble reaching one, please contact the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline by calling or texting 1-833-852-6262 or calling the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

💛 You Deserve Support

These descriptions are not meant to cause fear, but provide knowledge in case you experience them or are experiencing them. It is important to know that they’re not just part of motherhood, but real medical conditions that are treatable.

Whether it’s through therapy, medication, community support, or all of the above, help is available. That’s also why we’re here - to help provide support. You’re allowed to ask for help and you’re allowed to heal.