The perinatal period of a woman’s life can feel like a roller coaster. A slow start going up the elevated railway with steep inclines and descents coupled with curves and sudden changes in speed and direction. 

On the outside looking in the roller coaster looks like a great time like pregnancy. Scrolling through your feed on social media moms are picture perfect, babies are so cute, couples appear engaged and in love with the new addition to the family. But enduring pregnancy can be no walk in the park.

Emotional wellness during pregnancy

First, what does emotional wellness mean?  According to the National Center for Emotional Wellness, the term refers to an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of your emotions, and your ability to manage effectively through challenges and change. Emotional wellness during pregnancy looks like verbalizing needs and sharing your feelings with others, prioritizing your physical health and diet, feeling good about who you are, saying “no” when you need to, and being aware of your thoughts and emotions. 

The following are topics that leave mom’s questioning: why didn’t anyone tell me?

Symptoms

Now let’s explore some not so commonly spoken about perinatal symptoms. Pregnancy acne/rash, yeast infections, incontinence, labor pains, hyperemesis, metallic taste, sensitivity smell, hypervigilance, insomnia, changes with libido, shortness of breath, vivid dreams, newborn acne, dizziness, mood swings, nosebleeds, etc.

Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are very common for moms during pregnancy and post-partum. Intrusive thoughts are distressing unwanted thoughts that pop into our heads without warning at any time. Examples of intrusive thoughts are thoughts of pacifying your baby’s crying with a pillow, thoughts of falling while walking down the stairs with your baby, thoughts of placing your baby inside the microwave, etc. 

Changes in support system

As a therapist, moms often time discuss the changes within their friendships and family support systems. Friends and family who were once supportive go missing. Friends and family who were excited about the baby during pregnancy are also excited to meet the baby but unavailable to provide support for mom and baby on a day-to-day basis. Moms also shy away from important relationship in fear that asking for help may be a burden. And vise versa friends and family may be under the assumption that they should not reach out because mom is too busy with a newborn. 

Need Help Processing Your ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me?’ Questions?

If you need some help understanding this important time of your life, please get in touch with me. I’m more than happy to discuss how group therapy can help.