Motherhood
The “martyrdom of motherhood!” This is something I see across the board with my clients. It’s the concept that mothers are often expected, or feel compelled, to sacrifice their personal needs and wants for the sake of their children and family.
Postpartum Psychosis
An unfortunate, and less-often discussed postpartum complication is Postpartum Psychosis, or PPP. While more rare than other postpartum issues, this is one that is always considered an emergency! Many may remember the infamous case of Andrea Yates, who drowned her children in the bathtub. She was vilified heavily by the media and public, though it … Read more
Postpartum Rage
Postpartum rage is something that can occur either with or without other mood symptoms like depression or anxiety, and it is often overlooked in favor of more traditional issues like PPD or PPA.
What does it look like?
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Your life is a still pond, calm and serene except for things on the outside that disturb your waters. Grief is like if someone rolled a giant boulder into your pond. There is a massive splash, ripples make their way across as the waters are disrupted, the fish in the water scatter, and sand and mud is tossed as the boulder falls to the bottom. But eventually, the ripples become less turbulent, the fish swim close again, and the dust and mud settle. Everything becomes still. By all outward appearances, everything is the exact same as it was. Except you, now aware that there is a huge, immovable boulder in your pond. While everything on the surface is calm and still, this boulder will always signify what happened and how things will never be the same. A new ‘normal’ has been created.
Recognizing Postpartum Anxiety
Did you know?
1 in 5 women experience postpartum anxiety (PPA)! Though it seems like sometimes postpartum depression gets more attention, postpartum anxiety actually occurs more often.
Understanding Baby Blues vs Depression
While the “baby blues” and Postpartum Depression (PPD) can share many symptoms, such as a sadness and fatigue, they onset and duration can be very different! Learning to recognize the differences and how it impacts your functioning and ability to show up for yourself and your loved ones is KEY to treatment and prevention.
Signs you should consider Counseling
Ever thought about counseling, but weren’t sure if your problems were “bad enough?” Here are a few signs to help you decide if therapy is right for you or your family.
Postpartum Self-Care Checklist
Care for your Mind, Care for your Body, Care for your Relations.
It’s important to remember that every woman’s postpartum experience is unique, and that self-care looks different for everyone. Be gentle with yourself, listen to your body, and prioritize the activities that make you feel the most supported and nourished during this time.
Meet the Counselor
Meet Kristen Fowler Velasquez, founder and owner of Nurtured Hearts Counseling! Kristen is a Licensed Professional Counselor also certified in Perinatal Mental Health, and a mom of three herself! After seeing so many of those struggling during pregnancy and early parenthood, and having experienced some of these struggles firsthand, Kristen quickly decided to pursue training … Read more