Pregnancy & Postpartum Therapy

Hi, my name is Jessica Reynoso, and I’m a Pregnancy & Postpartum Therapist.

You may be feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and alone. I understand, and I’m here to help.

I help individuals and couples feel less stress and more calm after a new baby.

If you’re ready to start feeling better, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.

My approach to Treating Pregnancy & Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are unique seasons of life that require a provider who has knowledge and experience that honors the birthing parent, their partner, and their families. Most birthing parents experience what is known as the “baby blues” for a short period of time after childbirth due to the sudden change in hormones, sleep deprivation, isolation, and fatigue. However, if the symptoms do not improve within a couple of days or weeks, or even worsen, this may be a sign that you are developing a pregnancy or postpartum mood and anxiety disorder. Treatment often includes a combination of evaluation, medication, and therapy, but each person and situation are unique. Therapy can help you manage the thoughts and symptoms you are experiencing and provide an outlet to explore concerns without judgment. 

Working with a pregnancy & postpartum therapist near you can be a way to help you and your partner cope with the stress that comes with the complications of pregnancy and childbirth, including perinatal mood swings, PTSD, postpartum depression, and work with you to better manage symptoms. Therapy can also be a way to explore worries about the changes that come with expanding your family in a safe space and work to improve communication skills that will help you for years to come.

Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health FAQs

What are Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders?

Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders are a group of difficulties that start either during pregnancy or in the perinatal, or postpartum, time. The Perinatal period is officially defined as starting at pregnancy and through the first year after giving birth, but symptoms can be identified much later. PMADS includes Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Bipolar disorder, Panic, Post Traumatic Stress disorder or birth trauma, and psychosis.  

What are symptoms of Postpartum Depression?

Below are a few of the common symptoms, but seek out help from your OB or a qualified professional for an evaluation if you are experiencing some or several of these symptoms.

• Excessive and uncontrollable crying
• Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Feeling numb or empty
• Irritability and restlessness
• Feeling anger and rage
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Anxiety and fear
• Feeling guilt and shame
• Inability to concentrate
• Trouble remembering details
• Difficulty making decisions
• Doubting your ability to care for baby
• Thinking things are too overwhelming to handle
• Feeling like a failure or inadequate
• Changes in appetite such as eating too much or too little
• Trouble sleeping or oversleeping
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Muscle aches and pains
• Headaches
• Stomach pains

What are symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety & OCD?

Recent studies have shown that postpartum anxiety may be more common than postpartum depression. If you feel that you may be experiencing either postpartum anxiety or depression, seek help from your OB or a qualified professional for an evaluation. 

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Postpartum anxiety is categorized as 4 different disorders:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic worry and is accompanied by muscle tension, difficulty with concentration, restlessness, fatigue, and poor sleep. 
• Postpartum panic disorder (PD). Women with postpartum PD often experience sudden and recurring panic attacks accompanied by heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and fear of dying.
• Perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Usually, women who suffer from OCD after childbirth tend to have thoughts of unintentionally or intentionally harming their baby. 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that is prompted by a traumatic event causing severe anxiety, intense fear, nightmares, uncontrollable thoughts, and flashbacks. 

How do I support my partner during the pregnancy & postpartum period?

No matter how much you prepare, having a baby is stressful! You may be experiencing many mixed feelings and thoughts, including worry about your partner and baby, and guilt or shame surrounding all of these changes.

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Support for your partner during pregnancy and postpartum periods can look like many different things, but will most likely include emotional support as well as practical help. Couples therapy can facilitate these important conversations to help you navigate changes and stressors during this time as well as with future parenting concerns.

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A few suggestions include:

• Help around the house
• Let your partner sleep as much as they need
• Listen to concerns and make yourself available to talk
• Accompany them to their doctors appointments
• Enlist family and friends to help out when you are unable to
• Ask how you can help! 

What should I do if I need help right away?

If you feel that you or your child are in immediate danger, go to the nearest hospital emergency room for evaluation.

If you need immediate help, please contact one of the local or national emergency services listed below. They are available all the time. It is very important that you reach out right now and find the support and information you need to be safe. 

Here are some reliable resources to contact in a crisis:

National Suicide Prevention Hotline and Website - 1-800-273-8255

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Call for yourself or someone you care about; free and confidential; network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide; available 24/7

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Get help from a Pregnancy & Postpartum Individual and Couples Therapist. Schedule a complimentary consultation to talk more about how I can help.

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You don’t have to continue to feel like this. Contact me to see if we would like to work together.

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