Pregnancy is often seen as a joyous time in a woman’s life. Many people feel excited when they find out they are having a baby. They think about all the fun things like baby showers, choosing names, and getting the nursery ready. But it’s also important to talk about the mother’s mental health during and after pregnancy. At Triumph, our mental health counselors and psychiatric providers are trained to help manage the emotional highs and lows of motherhood.
The Joys and Challenges of Pregnancy and Childbirth
When someone finds out they will be a parent, it can bring a lot of joy and hope. They dream about what their baby will be like and look forward to meeting them. Friends and family often want to help and celebrate this special time together.
However, pregnancy can be complicated, too. Changes in hormones, body aches, and worries about the significant changes ahead can upset some mothers.
Here are some common challenges for expecting and new mothers:
Feeling Depressed or Anxious: Some studies show that about 10-20% of women feel sad or anxious while being pregnant. They might feel unhappy, lose interest in things, or worry a lot about what may happen.
Postpartum Depression: After a baby is born, some mothers might feel very sad and find it hard to take care of their baby or themselves. They might have mood swings or feel tired and hopeless.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Some women may experience obsessive thoughts or PTSD if they had complications or a traumatic experience while giving birth.
“A mother’s strength is not measured by perfection, but by her courage to heal, her will to rise, and her love that endures beyond struggle. Recovery is not just her journey—it’s a legacy of hope for those she loves.” – Sandra Cardenas, Mental Health Therapist, LSWAIC, SUDP at Triumph.
Jennifer’s Story
“My pregnancy was a surprise, but I was excited. I found out I was having identical twin girls. At first, I was scared, but then I became happy about my new journey into twin motherhood. Everything was going fine until my check-up at 32 weeks, when I found out that I had a complication called Twin to Twin Transfusion (TTTS). This means one baby was getting all the blood and food, and the other was not getting enough. I had to go to the hospital right away, and they did an emergency C-section.
After the C-section, the doctor told me the twins were very sick. IF they lived, they would need to stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for at least 6 to 8 weeks. I felt crushed. The baby who got all the blood could have had a stroke because her blood was too thick. The other baby needed three blood transfusions to help her have enough blood in her body. After I was released from the hospital, I moved into their NICU room to be closer to them. For weeks, I stayed in their room, living off hospital food and isolated from the outside world. My husband and other children would visit, but they had work and school, so their lives went on without me or their sisters at home.
No one truly understands what it’s like in the NICU unless you’ve been there. I had many sleepless nights listening to machines beep and sometimes asked to leave the room while doctors worked to save one of my babies, who weighed only 2 pounds. It’s heart-wrenching to watch other parents take their babies home while grieving for a neighbor who has lost theirs, all the while wondering if yours will be next. Luckily, the girls survived and are now happy and sassy 10-year-olds.
Even now, I still suffer from PTSD because of this experience. My family and friends didn’t know how I felt because I didn’t understand it at first. I wasn’t depressed, which is what you might expect after having a baby. But I knew something was off with how I felt. I couldn’t talk about their birth without crying, and I had obsessive thoughts of doom. After learning that the PTSD I was experiencing was triggering my past traumas, I could start dealing with my feelings better. My story has a happy ending, but many don’t, and everyone needs to know that this happens more often than we think.” – Jennifer Hawks-Conright, Communications Manager at Triumph.
Talk to your doctor if you are feeling depressed or anxious. Therapy is a natural and nurturing way for expecting and new mothers to navigate their emotions, and our psychiatric providers at Triumph can help. Remember, you are not alone, and you are not to blame. Triumph can give you the help you need to feel balanced.