When joy and anxiety coexist: The reality of early motherhood
The process of becoming a mother is profound, representing a major shift in a woman’s body, her brain, her sense of self, and her relationships with others. In the hectic days of early motherhood, it is not unusual for feelings of elation and anxiety to occur simultaneously.
“New moms often experience a rollercoaster of emotions, hormonal changes, and identity transformations that are more drastic than anything they have experienced before,” says Dr. Mercedes Szpunar, Tsao Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Maternal Mental Health.
“Clinically, I address anxiety with both validation and information. It is possible to feel anxious, frustrated, elated, and depressed all in the same day. What is important to know is that you don’t have to sit with those wide pendulum swings by yourself,” she says. “Hoag has built the infrastructure to support women through this life-changing journey.”
Hoag’s postpartum resources include lactation consulting, support groups, and access to nurses and medical experts at all hours of the day and night. It also includes a robust Maternal Mental Health Program—a collaboration between Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and the Women’s Health Institute—dedicated to supporting women’s mental health before, during, and after pregnancy.
“Women who invest in their mental health during the postpartum period often come away with the understanding that some struggle is normal, but treatment can be highly beneficial and improve outcomes,” Dr. Szpunar says. “Many women tell me that their mental health treatment gave them a deeper understanding of why this transition can be so challenging. But, with the right tools, they can better navigate changes for their growing families.”
Hoag’s Maternal Mental Health team provides cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and breathing exercises as well as other clinical tools to help new mothers navigate unanticipated challenges, such as the impact of sleep deprivation. Making time for yourself can feel selfish or even impossible, but it is important to prioritize self-care for both your own health and the health of your baby.
Conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than many people realize, affecting as many as 1 in 4 women, but they are highly treatable. “Anyone experiencing sadness, irritability, hopelessness, or having intrusive thoughts about themselves or their baby should seek medical attention,” Dr. Szpunar says. “Feeling overwhelmed is not a failing. It can be a natural part of this journey—but it’s one that you don’t have to face alone.”
Learn more about the Maternal Mental Health Program at Hoag.
