Riding the Postpartum Rollercoaster

From that positive test to the moment you’re holding that sweet baby in your arms you know that your life is going to change. Do you know how much it will change? Whether you’re eagerly expecting or reminiscing on the birth experiences that you had, this time is full of ups and downs.

Pregnant and postpartum moms are 20% more likely to experience difficulty maintaining mood stability. Now I’m not just talking about having a crabby day. I’m talking about the life altering, relationship fracturing, need to apologize frequently mood swings. These come and go through what’s called the “perinatal period”. Pregnant women and postpartum moms have varying amounts of hormones in their body that differ from those in other women. These hormones are great for fun stuff like bonding with your baby and making it through sleepless nights, but they also make you more likely to cry excessively and feel quick to anger among other frustrating emotions.

Okay, so now that we know this time is going to be a rollercoaster what can we do about it? There are so many resources available to women and their partners during this time! Locally, there are agencies that provide postpartum support. Talk therapy is also a great way to get the mental health support you need right now. Along with groups to connect to other moms, individual therapy can help you talk through your fears, worries, or just wrap your mind around all of these life changes. Which support tool seems like one that might work for you? Pick one and give it a try!

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