Mental Health and Motherhood

Mental Health and Motherhood
By Morley McCaul Luciani

April showers have certainly brought some beautiful May flowers! May is such a wonderful time of year, with a focus on celebrating the amazing mothers and women in our lives. Something you may not know, is that May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. I want to take some time this month to acknowledge both mental health and motherhood by discussing Post-Partum Mental Health; this topic is particularly meaningful to me at this point in my life as I await the birth of my first child this summer.

The term “post-partum mental health"  is a fairly broad spectrum that is made up of several mental health concerns, such as the post-partum “blues”, post-partum depression (PPD) and post-partum anxiety (PPA). Post-partum blues (often called the “baby blues”) is incredibly common, with nearly 75% of women reporting symptoms, and is often considered a normal part of the post-partum experience. Common symptoms associated with the “baby blues” include feeling sad, irritability, tearfulness and/or minor anxiety; these symptoms often appear within a few hours after giving birth and can persist through the first two weeks of post-partum recovery. Experiencing these symptoms for longer than two weeks, or experiencing more intense symptoms, can be a sign of post-partum depression as opposed to the more common “baby blues”. 

In more recent years, advocates have made great strides to raise awareness about post-partum depression, which research shows can affect 15-20% of women in the weeks or months following childbirth. Women suffering from PPD often report having more bad days than good, depressed mood, loss of energy or interest in activities they previously enjoyed, feelings of worthlessness, guilt or incompetence and suicidal thoughts. Some risk factors for PPD include a history of depression or other mood disorders, previously being diagnosed with PPD, limited social support or pregnancy complications, such as a high risk pregnancy. One of the most vital ways to prevent and treat PPD is to know what signs and symptoms are, so that they can be recognized early and addressed by a medical professional right away; it is important for not only the person who has given birth to be aware of PPD symptoms, but also for members of their support system (partner, friends, family) to be able to recognize the signs as well.

Another common post-partum mental health disorder is post-partum anxiety (PPA), which affects roughly 1 in 5 women. PPA is different from post-partum mood disorders as it is marked by an overwhelming feeling of constant danger, worry or discontent rather than depressed mood or persistent sadness; however, you can experience PPD and PPA simultaneously. Some common symptoms of PPA include shortness of breath, restlessness, disturbed sleep, feeling on edge, and/or constant worry about worst case scenarios. People struggling with PPA may experience disturbing intrusive thoughts, may find themselves avoiding public spaces or unable to sleep as they worry about their new baby through the night. Some risk factors for PPA include limited social support, caring for multiple children, or a history of anxiety/panic disorders.

Something that is very important to remember about post-partum mental health is that you are not alone. Many women and parents have experienced one or more of these conditions and there are supports available to help as you navigate through a new and often difficult time. Another important fact to remember is that you are not at fault for struggling as you adjust to being a new parent. Many studies show that one of the biggest contributors to post-partum mental health conditions is the rapid decrease in hormones that occurs in the days and weeks following birth; that change, coupled with lack of sleep and adjusting to new routines can be the perfect storm for mental health challenges and symptoms. As I previously mentioned, it is imperative that all members of a pregnant person’s support system are aware of the signs of post-partum mental health disorders and who to call if they recognize concerning symptoms in their loved ones. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and a large part of that village includes supporting parents as they navigate the changes that come with a new baby.

There are many resources in our area that aim to help women and families going through post-partum difficulties. Healthy Minds Philly has a page on their website dedicated to post-partum mental health resources. You can access these resources here: Healthy Minds Philly Post-Partum Resources. As always, I am here as well: to guide you, listen to you and help anyway I can. I am only a phone call, email, or drop in away. 

References: 

Cleveland Clinic. (2025, August) Postpartum Anxiety. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22693-postpartum-anxiety

Cleveland Clinic. (2026, March). Postpartum Depression. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression

Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. (2025, May). Maternal Mental Health[Fact Sheet]. https://policycentermmh.org/maternal-mental-health-fact-sheet/

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