The Importance of Talk Therapy During Pregnancy & Postpartum

Talk therapy can be highly beneficial for new mothers throughout the course of their perinatal journey, whether they need help working through emotions and fears associated with pregnancy or postpartum, or if they need assistance navigating the process through the lens of other mental health issues.

Why Seek Help?

For many women, pregnancy can be both a joyous and nervewracking experience. On one hand, you’re excited for this new chapter in your life, but on the other hand, you may be anxious about what could go wrong or concerned about how to balance your own well-being alongside life’s other obligations, such as work, family, finances, and friendships. Hormonal changes and physical discomfort can also trigger a range of emotions that you may not be used to.

Moreover, pregnancy and postpartum can become even more stressful if you already have a history of mental health issues or an undiagnosed mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, a mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, substance use disorder, eating disorder, or a psychotic disorder. For all of these reasons, it may be beneficial to seek the help of a professional psychotherapist, especially someone who has expertise in pregnancy and postpartum issues. 

“Pregnancy and postpartum can be an incredibly isolating time for women adjusting to motherhood, and dealing with mental health during these times only further increases the feelings of isolation,” explained Tessa Basco, Licensed Independent Social Worker at Jones-Wood Psychological Associates, who has attended training through Postpartum International. Further, she states, “Counseling can offer support and guidance as you navigate this adjustment, as well as evidence-based techniques to help manage your mental health symptoms.”

Additional risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a maternal mental health condition include poor social support, financial stress, having an unplanned pregnancy, being at a young age at the time of pregnancy, experiencing a stressful event during pregnancy, having a baby born with an illness, and other maternal health issues.

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When to Seek Help

According to Basco, pregnant or postpartum patients should seek counseling for their symptoms the moment that they start to notice an increase in feelings of anxiety or depression. There is no time that is “too early” in the perinatal period to get support and address these concerns.

“You are not alone and support is available,” Basco emphasized. “Our society expects too much of new moms and does not offer the support that they need. I wanted to start offering this support when I noticed several of my friends struggling with clinical symptoms that were going unaddressed or normalized as a part of motherhood.”

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, symptoms of perinatal depression are more severe than “baby blues” and are more persistent, occurring most of the day nearly every day for at least two weeks. Symptoms may include sad mood, loss of interest or pleasure in things that you normally enjoy, fatigue or loss of energy, appetite changes, sleeping too much or insomnia, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness, thoughts of death or suicide or a suicide plan, and anxiety and ruminating thoughts, among other symptoms. Meeting with a licensed therapist or other healthcare provider can help you determine whether you may be experiencing anxiety or depression during the perinatal period.

Types of Talk Therapy for Pregnancy & Postpartum

Some of the benefits that talk therapy provides mothers during pregnancy and postpartum include emotional support, coping skills, help with relationships, preparation for parenthood, in addition to addressing mental health concerns.

Below are some of the therapeutic modalities that could be beneficial for expectant mothers:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Focuses on recognizing negative thought patterns and changing those thoughts to ones that are more realistic and less threatening, which can also positively affect feelings and behaviors.
   
2. Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Involves relaxation and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, journaling, and progressive muscle relaxation, which helps mothers maintain awareness of the present moment to reduce stress.
   
3. Trauma-Focused Therapy – Helpful during pregnancy if the mother has a history of miscarriage, still birth, or other previous health complications related to pregnancy or postpartum issues.
   
4. Interpersonal Therapy – Involves a focus on improving relationships and role transitions that arise with parenthood. This modality helps mothers improve communication skills within relationships and form social support networks.

Basco said she personally utilizes a lot of mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and radical acceptance to help her clients during the perinatal period. DBT aims to help people manage emotional distress by providing skills to help them deal with their feelings. It involves mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills. Radical acceptance also falls under the umbrella of DBT and involves accepting what is not under one’s control and embracing reality, acknowledging painful emotions and situations in order to reduce reactive behaviors.

For pregnant women and new mothers who have difficulty leaving the house due to recovery and fatigue, other health issues, childcare concerns, or lack of transportation, they can opt for telehealth therapy appointments. Virtual counseling for pregnancy and postpartum issues can be just as effective as in-person counseling.

The perinatal journey can be overwhelming, but talk therapy provides a safe space with a trained professional to process your feelings and concerns about pregnancy and postpartum issues, no matter how big or small. Mothers can express their thoughts and fears without judgement, receive validation, and learn coping strategies tailored to their specific situation. Therapy can offer the support you need to navigate the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum which promotes the overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being of both mother and baby.

Talk Therapy at Jones-Wood Psychological Associates

To discuss scheduling for counseling with one of our licensed providers, call one of our offices to inquire about clinician availability. Reach our Chagrin Falls office at (440) 708-0188 and our Hudson office at (234) 269-6200. You can also submit our online intake form.