Postpartum is the period after childbirth. Postpartum can affect not only the one who has given birth but also the other parent. Postpartum is the time where your physical body, hormones, and mind are trying to return back to its state before having a baby. Your brain actually has a change in gray matter when you become pregnant and there is new research that shows that gray matter can take up to 7 years postpartum to return to its normal state and for you to be out of the postpartum period.
Postpartum can last 6 weeks to 7 years depending on the person, hormones, their birth story, support system, etc. It truly does vary from person to person and is such an individual experience for each person and even baby to baby depending on whether it’s your first or fifth child, each postpartum experience can be different or for some, even the same.
Postpartum can look like hormonal changes with some mood swings throughout the day or it can look like intrusive thoughts, constant worry, and feeling hopeless. The lack of sleep, shift in hormones, and life transition can bring on huge emotions and shifts in how you feel.
I had a client, who had constant worry about something happening to her newborn or that she would stop breathing. She thought she would accidentally hurt her. My client felt so sad and in such a dark place for the first year she felt like no one understood what she was going through and how she was feeling. After working with her for about a month and discussing what she was feeling and why, we came up with a plan to help change those negative thoughts and emotions into something positive and figured out what we could tell ourselves was realistic versus not so realistic.
Postpartum can cause baby blues and turn into depression and anxiety like it did for me. These are things that need to be addressed by a medical doctor and a therapist, it can make a huge difference and give you a light at the end of the tunnel and get you back to being you much faster. You are not alone and don’t have to fight postpartum alone either. There is so much happening during this time in your life.
So many women feel so alone and that there is a lack of support postpartum which is why I chose perinatal and postpartum care as my main speciality. Postpartum counseling gives a safe space to process all the big changes, feelings, and thoughts (both good and bad) and help give you strategies and coping skills when the days feel dark and tough.
Postpartum, we must remember, is simply a period of time, it’s not forever (even though some days it feels like it is). Yes, our lives have changed drastically and will never be the same but that doesn’t mean that you have to. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed about or in your postpartum period, reach out to Wilson Counseling today to start feeling like you again!
Ready to take proactive steps towards overcoming postpartum depression? Our compassionate Houston therapists offer personalized strategies, whether through online or in-person treatment. You're not alone in this journey. Connect with us online to schedule an appointment or call 713-565-0922 to learn more about how our support can make a difference.
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OUR THERAPISTS OFFER IN HOUSTON, TX
In addition to Perinatal and Postnatal Treatment, we have other mental health services that we offer at our Houston, TX counseling office. Our services are available for adults, children, and teens. For individuals we offer Anxiety Treatment, Eating Disorder Counseling, School and College Counseling, Couples Counseling & Marriage Counseling, and Infertility Counseling. As well as Trauma Therapy, PTSD Treatment, EMDR Therapy, and LGBTQ+ Counseling. Our caring therapists also offer Family Therapy, Parenting Counseling, Career Counseling, and LPC Supervision. All of these services are also available through Online Counseling throughout Texas.
If you’re ready to get started, please contact Wilson Counseling today.
Guest Post by Alexis Patel.