Perinatal Mental Health
What is Maternal or Perinatal Mental Health?
Maternal and/or Perinatal Mental Health refers to a woman’s mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Many experiences and feelings occur during this time that can feel overwhelming. Some of these include, but are not limited to:
Birth trauma:
Did you experience a birth that you identify as having been traumatic? Whether this was from the experience of a previous birth or you may be a survivor of a previous trauma. The perinatal period could feel like a re-traumatizing experience. One of the most “beautiful” milestones of your life can carry a complex meaning based on your experience.
Infant Loss
Stillbirth
Neonatal Loss:
Loss related to miscarriage, loss in utero, stillbirth, sudden and/or Neonatal death.
NICU Trauma:
Did you experience giving birth to a baby that had to be rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) without even being able to hold them? Perhaps your infant was born premature and had to remain in the NICU for an extended period of time. Feelings of overwhelm or disbelief may occur in having to leave the hospital without your baby after giving birth. The NICU can feel like a scary place at first. Such an array of emotions can be experienced through this journey. Know that you are not alone and that I am here to support you.