Motherhood is challenging, and for many new moms, postpartum stress is a common experience in the first few months after giving birth. For some mothers, unaddressed postpartum stress can lead to postpartum depression.
Sadly, many mothers have struggled throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly new moms. On top of all the usual demands of parenthood, they have had to deal with this extremely stressful, ongoing event, leading to an overall rise in postpartum stress and depression rates.
If you’re a new mom having difficulty handling postpartum stress, you might not know where to turn. Working with a therapist can help you process your emotions and find your stability again.
Here’s how therapy can help you throughout the postpartum period.
Why the Pandemic Has Been Hard for New Mothers
Why has the pandemic been such a difficult time for new mothers? They have had to go through a major life change while feeling isolated from their loved ones.
Furthermore, they have missed out on celebrating the milestones of pregnancy and new motherhood because of the pandemic. Baby showers were done virtually instead of being celebrated in person. They have had to take on some responsibilities of new motherhood alone, without help from their family and friends who normally would have been able to pitch in.
Many feel completely burnt out and are dealing with feelings of anxiety and depression because of these circumstances.
Learning to Ask for Help
As a mother, it can be hard to ask for help. While your loved ones will often offer help in the first few weeks after your baby is born, you may feel hesitant to reach out and ask for their support after those initial weeks.
In therapy, your counselor can help you unpack why you might be uncomfortable asking for help. You can explore the societal expectation that mothers handle the burdens of parenthood alone and that it should come naturally. Your therapist will support you as you ask your social network for the assistance that you need.
Putting Yourself First
Your baby needs you for everything right now. But that doesn’t mean you can never take time to yourself. However, new mothers are often sent the message that they should sacrifice their own independence once they have a baby.
It’s okay to ask for extra help when you need time to yourself. Everyone needs downtime, and while it might be in short supply for a while, your therapist can help you find ways to schedule time to relax. This might mean relying on your partner, a close friend, or a babysitter.
Find Support From Other Moms
If you’re struggling with postpartum stress, you’re not alone. But connecting with other moms who feel the same way can be hard, especially if you have been at home for months on end because of the pandemic.
Leaning on other women who have been through the same thing can be comforting, and you’ll realize that other women have walked in your shoes. Your therapist may be able to help you connect with other new moms in support groups, either in person or virtually.
Managing Basic Routines
After having a baby, it can feel like it’s impossible to stick to your usual routines. You might have new routines based on your baby’s sleep schedule. But you need to be able to care for your own health, too.
Your therapist can help you find opportunities for safe, gentle exercise, like taking walks outdoors, that can become part of your typical routine. They can also guide you as you work with your partner to divide household responsibilities and make your own routines more predictable going forward.
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Have you been struggling with your mental health after giving birth? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.