Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health

Pregnancy and the months following childbirth can bring enormous physical, emotional, and practical changes. While this period is often portrayed as entirely joyful, many people experience anxiety, sadness, irritability, fear, exhaustion, intrusive thoughts, or difficulty adjusting to their new circumstances.

Experiencing emotional difficulties during pregnancy or after childbirth does not mean someone is a bad parent or is failing to appreciate their baby. Pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, sleep disruption, hormonal changes, relationship changes, and the responsibilities of caring for an infant can create substantial stress.

Clinically Reviewed by Bonnie Priest, MSW, LISW-CP
Last reviewed: September 2026

Perinatal mental health generally refers to emotional and mental health concerns occurring during pregnancy and during the period following childbirth.

Depression and anxiety are among the most recognized concerns, but parents may also experience panic symptoms, obsessive or intrusive thoughts, trauma-related symptoms, significant adjustment difficulties, or worsening of a mental health condition that existed before pregnancy.

These experiences vary considerably in severity and should be evaluated individually.

Many people experience temporary emotional changes during the first days after childbirth. These are commonly called the “baby blues.”

Someone may feel unusually emotional, tearful, irritable, overwhelmed, or anxious. Rapid physical changes, disrupted sleep, recovery from childbirth, and the demands of caring for a newborn can all contribute.

The baby blues generally improve within a couple of weeks. Symptoms that are severe, persist beyond this period, worsen, or significantly interfere with functioning may indicate something requiring additional attention.

Postpartum depression involves more significant and persistent depressive symptoms following childbirth.

Symptoms may include sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, hopelessness, guilt, irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or sleep beyond those expected from caring for an infant, or difficulty feeling connected to the baby.

Depression can also begin during pregnancy rather than only after delivery.

Postpartum depression is a health condition, not a measure of someone's love for their child or ability to be a good parent.

Anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth can involve persistent worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, difficulty relaxing, or intense fears about the baby's health and safety.

Some worry is understandable when caring for a newborn. Anxiety becomes more concerning when fear is difficult to control, prevents someone from sleeping even when given the opportunity, causes repeated checking or reassurance seeking, or significantly interferes with everyday life.

Anxiety and depression can also occur together.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. These thoughts may involve frightening images or ideas about something bad happening to the baby.

Having an unwanted thought is not the same as wanting to act on it.

Because these thoughts can feel disturbing or shameful, people may be afraid to tell anyone about them. A mental health professional can help evaluate what someone is experiencing and determine what type of support is appropriate.

Thoughts accompanied by an intention or desire to harm yourself or someone else require immediate professional help.

Pregnancy and childbirth do not always unfold as expected.

Medical emergencies, difficult deliveries, emergency cesarean sections, premature birth, pregnancy complications, infant medical problems, pregnancy loss, or feeling frightened or powerless during medical care can be deeply distressing.

Some people experience intrusive memories, avoidance, heightened anxiety, nightmares, or other trauma-related symptoms afterward.

The fact that a baby or parent ultimately recovered physically does not erase the emotional impact of a frightening experience.

Miscarriage, stillbirth, pregnancy termination for medical reasons, infertility, and other reproductive losses can involve profound grief.

People may also encounter comments that unintentionally minimize the significance of the loss or feel pressure to recover emotionally before they are ready.

Partners may grieve differently, which can sometimes create misunderstanding within the relationship.

There is no single correct way to respond to pregnancy loss.

Becoming a parent can change nearly every part of daily life.

Sleep, work, relationships, finances, routines, independence, physical recovery, intimacy, and personal identity may all be affected at once.

Someone can deeply love their child while also missing parts of their previous life. Those feelings are not mutually exclusive.

For some people, the challenge is not a specific mental health disorder but the difficulty of adapting to a major and demanding life transition.

A new baby can dramatically change a couple's relationship.

Both partners may be exhausted while having less time together and more responsibilities. Disagreements may develop around feeding, sleep, household responsibilities, work, finances, parenting approaches, intimacy, or how responsibilities are divided.

Small disagreements can become much more intense when both people are chronically tired and overwhelmed.

Counseling can help couples communicate about these changes and develop expectations that better fit their new circumstances.

Pregnancy and postpartum mental health concerns are not limited to the person who gave birth.

Partners may experience depression, anxiety, stress, isolation, relationship difficulties, financial pressure, or uncertainty about their role after a baby arrives.

Supporting one parent does not require ignoring the emotional health of the other.

The transition to parenthood affects the entire family system.

Counseling can provide a place to discuss emotions that may be difficult to admit elsewhere.

Depending on the person's needs, therapy may address anxiety, depression, adjustment to parenthood, grief, trauma, relationship changes, identity, stress, communication, boundaries, or coping strategies.

Counseling can also complement care provided by obstetricians, primary care clinicians, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals when concerns require coordinated treatment.

Pregnancy and early parenthood involve emotional ups and downs, and not every difficult day indicates a mental health condition.

Additional support may be worth considering when sadness, anxiety, fear, irritability, intrusive thoughts, grief, or feelings of being overwhelmed persist, become increasingly intense, interfere with sleep or everyday functioning, affect relationships, or make it difficult to enjoy or participate in daily life.

You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe before asking for help.

Some symptoms require urgent evaluation.

Seek immediate help if you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, believe you may act on harmful thoughts, become severely confused or disoriented, experience hallucinations or delusions, or develop dramatically unusual behavior or beliefs after childbirth.

Postpartum psychosis is uncommon but is a medical emergency.

In the United States, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for immediate danger. You can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Etheria Counseling provides support for adults and families experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, adjustment to parenthood, and other emotional concerns during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Counseling can be provided in person in Myrtle Beach or through telehealth throughout South Carolina.

Accepting New Clients

In-Person: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Telehealth: Throughout South Carolina
Insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, and major insurance plans
Self-Pay: Available

If pregnancy, childbirth, loss, or becoming a parent has been emotionally harder than you expected, you do not need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what to call what you are experiencing before reaching out.

Call 843-868-6200 or use our online scheduling option to get started.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — Perinatal Depression

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Perinatal Mental Health

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) — National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Crisis support in the United States