The Invisible Isolation of New Motherhood
The early postpartum period is a time of constant connection. You are rarely alone because your baby needs you around the clock. Family members, friends, and work colleagues check in, ask how you’re doing, and tell you how special this time is. Despite this, many mothers feel painfully alone. You may have love and support […]
How Protecting the Mother-Baby Bond Supports Maternal Mental Health
When you experience postpartum depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or other types of emotional overwhelm after giving birth, it’s only natural to worry that these conditions will affect your ability to bond with your baby. The truth is, bonding is not a single moment or an instinct you either have or don’t. It is a process […]
The Mental Load of Motherhood
When people talk about the demands of early motherhood, they usually focus on visible tasks such as feeding, diapering, soothing, cleaning, laundry, and appointments. What often goes unrecognized is the invisible work happening behind the scenes – the constant planning, anticipating, remembering, monitoring, and deciding. The mental load can feel relentless during the postpartum period. […]
Why “Bouncing Back” Is a Harmful Postpartum Expectation
Few phrases are as casually dismissive of new mothers’ experiences as “bouncing back.” Well-meaning people may say it because they believe it will encourage you to feel more confident or resilient after delivering a child. But underneath it lies the expectation that you should push yourself to recover quickly and be the same person you […]
Tennessee’s Maternal Health Emergency
Tennessee stands at the bottom when it comes to maternal health in America. According to the March of Dimes 2025 Report Card, our state’s maternal mortality rank is at the very bottom of the list. Even more concerning: perinatal mental health conditions are now recognized among the leading causes of maternal death, accounting for 23% […]
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Postpartum Mental Health
Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, are distressing or traumatic events that happen to you before your 18th birthday. These can include physical or emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, parental substance use, or growing up in a home where a caregiver was mentally ill or incarcerated. ACEs’ effects often linger long into adulthood, shaping […]
Veterans and Postpartum Mental Health
Transitioning into parenthood can be as complex and emotionally charged as deployment for military service members. The postpartum period brings significant physical, hormonal, and psychological changes, and for those who have served, these changes take place against a backdrop of military culture that encourages stoicism and discourages asking for help. As a result, conditions like […]
Birth Trauma and Postnatal PTSD
The media often depict giving birth as a universally joyous, life-affirming moment – but for many mothers, labor and delivery can also be frightening, dehumanizing, or physically and emotionally unsafe. Birth trauma may stem from medical complications, emergency interventions, or feeling powerless and unheard during one of the most vulnerable moments of your life. While […]
Panic Attack While Pregnant
Experiencing a panic attack during pregnancy can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. The racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or sense of impending doom can make you fear that something is seriously wrong with you or your baby. These intense moments of anxiety often come without warning, leaving you feeling helpless, frightened, and unsure of […]
Postpartum Guilt
For many new mothers, the postpartum period brings a flood of joy, love, anxiety – and, sometimes, overwhelming guilt. Postpartum guilt is a common but often misunderstood experience. It can creep in quietly, making you question whether you are doing enough or somehow failing your baby. Left unaddressed, this guilt can weigh heavily on your […]