Perinatal Mood Disorders Therapy
Struggling during pregnancy or after baby? You're not weak, you're not failing, and you're definitely not alone.
Dancing Bee Counseling provides specialized therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Whether you're experiencing depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic, or trauma during pregnancy or postpartum, I understand these conditions and I know they're treatable. Up to 1 in 5 parents experience a PMAD. With the right support, you can feel like yourself again.
What Are Perinatal Mood Disorders?
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are mental health conditions that develop during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. The term "perinatal" covers both the prenatal (pregnancy) and postpartum periods, recognizing that these struggles can begin at any point in the journey to parenthood.
PMADs include depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and in rare cases, psychosis. They affect birthing parents, fathers, adoptive parents, and partners. They occur across all demographics, regardless of age, income, education, or how much you wanted your baby.
PMADs are medical conditions caused by biological, psychological, and social factors. They are not caused by weakness, not wanting your baby enough, or doing something wrong. And most importantly: they are treatable. With proper support, people recover.
If you experienced anxiety during infertility or have a history of pregnancy loss, you may be at increased risk for perinatal mood disorders. Your history matters, and a therapist who understands fertility struggles can provide more targeted support.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
PMADs can take different forms. You might recognize one or more of these patterns.
Perinatal Depression
Persistent sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty bonding with baby, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes thoughts of self-harm. Can occur during pregnancy or postpartum.
PPD After Infertility →Perinatal Anxiety
Excessive worry, racing thoughts, hypervigilance about baby's safety, physical symptoms like racing heart and shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping even when baby sleeps, and constant feeling that something terrible will happen.
Postpartum Anxiety Support →Perinatal OCD
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (often about harm coming to baby) that cause significant distress. May include repetitive behaviors or mental rituals to reduce anxiety. The thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning you don't want to act on them and they horrify you.
Perinatal PTSD
Following traumatic birth, pregnancy complications, NICU stay, or pregnancy loss. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, and avoiding reminders of the trauma. Can affect partners who witnessed trauma too.
Perinatal Panic Disorder
Recurring panic attacks with intense physical symptoms: racing heart, difficulty breathing, sweating, trembling, feeling of doom. Fear of having more attacks may lead to avoiding situations where attacks have occurred.
Perinatal Bipolar
Pregnancy and postpartum can trigger or worsen bipolar symptoms. May include depressive episodes, manic or hypomanic episodes, or mixed states. Requires specialized treatment and medication management.
Postpartum Psychosis (Medical Emergency)
Rare but serious condition affecting 1-2 per 1,000 births. Symptoms include confusion, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, rapid mood swings, and disorganized behavior. This is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
PMADs During Pregnancy and Postpartum
These conditions can develop at any point from conception through baby's first year.
During Pregnancy
Prenatal mood disordersPrenatal depression and anxiety are just as common as postpartum versions, but often go unrecognized. Hormonal changes, physical discomfort, fears about birth, relationship stress, and pregnancy complications can all contribute. If you experienced infertility or loss, pregnancy after loss brings unique anxiety.
After Birth
Postpartum mood disordersPostpartum PMADs can develop immediately after birth or emerge weeks or months later. Triggers include hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, birth trauma, breastfeeding challenges, returning to work, and the massive life adjustment of new parenthood. For infertility survivors, PPD brings extra shame.
Who Is at Higher Risk for PMADs?
Anyone can develop a perinatal mood disorder, but some factors increase vulnerability.
Mental Health History
Previous depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions
Miscarriage, stillbirth, or other pregnancy losses
Infertility
History of infertility or fertility treatment
Traumatic Birth
Difficult delivery, emergency interventions, NICU stay
Sleep Deprivation
Severe or prolonged lack of sleep
Limited partner, family, or social support
Partner conflict or relationship difficulties
Financial pressure, job stress, major life changes
Breastfeeding challenges or pressure around feeding choices
Perinatal Mood Disorder Treatment
I provide evidence-based therapy tailored to your specific symptoms and situation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy to address the thought patterns and behaviors driving your symptoms. Learning to challenge unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills.
Specialized approaches for scary, unwanted thoughts. Understanding why your brain generates them and how to respond without compulsions or avoidance.
For birth trauma, pregnancy loss, or infertility-related PTSD. Processing difficult experiences so they stop intruding on the present.
Working with the body to calm the nervous system. Breathing exercises, grounding, and tools for managing physical symptoms of anxiety.
How PMADs affect your relationship. Communication tools, sharing the load, and helping your partner understand what you're experiencing.
If medication might help, I coordinate with prescribers experienced in perinatal mental health. Information about safe options for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
PMADs in Fathers and Partners
Perinatal mood disorders don't only affect birthing parents. Fathers and non-birthing partners can also experience depression, anxiety, and other symptoms during the perinatal period. Partners who went through infertility together, witnessed traumatic birth, or whose partner is struggling with a PMAD may be especially vulnerable.
Symptoms in partners may look different: more irritability, withdrawal, anger, overworking, or increased substance use rather than classic depression presentations.
~10% of fathers experience postpartum depression
Partner's mental health affects the whole family
Treatment helps partners recover too
Who Benefits from PMAD Treatment
You're struggling with depression during pregnancy or postpartum
You can't stop worrying and your anxiety feels out of control
You're having scary, intrusive thoughts that terrify you
You're struggling after a traumatic birth or NICU experience
You feel disconnected from your baby or numb
You're experiencing panic attacks or constant physical anxiety
You experienced infertility and are struggling postpartum
You're a father or partner struggling during this transition
Questions About Perinatal Mood Disorders
What are perinatal mood disorders?
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are mental health conditions that occur during pregnancy or the first year after birth. They include perinatal depression, perinatal anxiety, postpartum OCD, perinatal PTSD, and in rare cases, postpartum psychosis. The term "perinatal" covers both pregnancy (prenatal) and the postpartum period, recognizing that these conditions can develop at any point from conception through the first year of the baby's life. PMADs affect up to 1 in 5 birthing parents and a significant percentage of fathers and non-birthing partners. They are medical conditions caused by biological, psychological, and social factors, not personal weakness or failure. With proper treatment, people recover.
What is the difference between baby blues and a perinatal mood disorder?
Baby blues affect up to 80% of new parents and are considered a normal response to the hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and life adjustment following birth. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, and feeling overwhelmed, and they typically resolve within two weeks. Perinatal mood disorders are more severe and longer-lasting. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, interfere with your ability to function or care for yourself or your baby, or include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, you may be experiencing a PMAD rather than baby blues. The key differences are duration (baby blues resolve quickly, PMADs persist), severity (PMADs significantly impact functioning), and specific symptoms like intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, or feeling detached from your baby.
Can perinatal mood disorders start during pregnancy?
Yes, perinatal mood disorders can absolutely start during pregnancy, not just after birth. In fact, research suggests that prenatal depression and anxiety are just as common as postpartum versions. Many people experience their first symptoms during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, physical discomfort, fears about birth or parenting, relationship stress, or pregnancy complications. If you experienced infertility, pregnancy loss, or are pregnant after loss, you may be especially vulnerable to prenatal anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, prenatal mood disorders often go unrecognized because the focus tends to be on postpartum. If you're struggling during pregnancy, you deserve support now, not just after the baby arrives.
Do fathers and non-birthing partners get perinatal mood disorders?
Yes, fathers and non-birthing partners can experience perinatal mood disorders. Research shows that approximately 10% of fathers experience postpartum depression, and rates of paternal anxiety may be even higher. Partners who went through infertility treatment, witnessed a traumatic birth, have a history of mental health issues, or whose partner is struggling with a PMAD are at increased risk. Symptoms in partners may look different, sometimes presenting as irritability, anger, withdrawal, working more, or increased substance use rather than classic depression symptoms. Partners' mental health matters for the whole family, and treatment is available.
How are perinatal mood disorders treated?
Perinatal mood disorders are highly treatable. Treatment typically includes therapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy), and sometimes medication. Therapy helps you understand your symptoms, develop coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and address any underlying factors contributing to your symptoms. Medication can be appropriate and safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when needed; a prescriber experienced in perinatal mental health can discuss options. Other supportive interventions include peer support groups, lifestyle modifications, and partner or family involvement. Most people with PMADs recover fully with appropriate treatment. Early intervention typically leads to faster recovery.
Perinatal Mental Health Specialist
I specialize in perinatal mood disorders across the full spectrum: from prenatal anxiety to postpartum depression, from intrusive thoughts to birth trauma. I understand that PMADs can be terrifying to experience and that seeking help takes courage, especially when you feel like you "should" be happy.
As a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine with specialized training in both fertility mental health and perinatal mood disorders, I bring a unique perspective. If your PMAD is connected to infertility, pregnancy loss, or the complex emotions of parenthood after struggle, I understand that history and how it shapes your current experience.
You don't have to white-knuckle through this. With the right support, you can feel like yourself again.
More About Abby🐝 Dancing Bee Counseling
Office Address
101 E Main St, Suite 4
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone
608-967-6105Serving Dane County and Beyond
Perinatal mood disorders are treatable. Recovery is possible. Reach out when you're ready.
In-person in Waunakee · Telehealth throughout Wisconsin