I thought it might be beneficial to share why I decided to run a postpartum support group. Initially another clinician decided they wanted to facilitate a Postpartum Depression Group due to the lack of resources and support in the area. Once I heard the idea, I was immediately on board with becoming a co-facilitator. Circumstances changed and I became the one to move forward with facilitating the group.
The Structure
This group was designed to benefit mother’s with infants ranging from birth to age one. The group was initially scheduled as a 6 week series. I felt like 6 weeks wasn’t enough time to really gain those meaningful connections and process through all the struggles of being a parent. I decided to switch it to an ongoing group and change the name from Postpartum Depression Support Group to Postpartum Stress Support Group. My reason was to make the group all encompassing to anyone experience postpartum struggles. Since then I have decided switching to a 10 week group as that sweet spot to meet the need. I plan to run it in a cycle of 10 week series all year round.
So why did I jump at the chance to facilitate this group?
First and foremost I am a mother. As a parent we all have our own idea of what having a baby might look like. We set these expectations and make plans in our mind. You might think you are prepared because you already have kids, worked with kids, watched kids, or have kids in your family. The one thing I learned from becoming a mother is “I was not.” All babies are different. Yes, I was prepared for the basic things in order to keep my child alive but there are plenty of things that happened that I wasn’t prepared for. Parents are going most likely feel challenged. They are going to have moments when they may feel like a complete failure. They are going to experience an array of emotions. But remember, that’s okay. There is no certain way you should feel or act. We all going on instinct and doing what is best for our child.
Experiencing postpartum struggles does not always mean that something went “wrong” or was “different”. Even having what society might consider a “normal experience” can still lead to parents developing feelings of sadness and anxiety. Many mothers and even fathers will experience the “baby blues” the first few weeks after giving birth.
For me there were some complications and my daughter was born 6 weeks premature in January 2020. None of what I planned for happened. And just two short months later COVID happened. I had to not only adjust to all of the emotions of being a new mom with a premature baby, but also the isolation of quarantine.
I wanted parents to know they are not alone. There is support and others who can empathize and understand what you are experiencing.
April graduated from Boston College in 2012 with her Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She is in the process of working towards her Perinatal Mental Health Certification and currently runs the Postpartum Sress Support Group here at Compassionate Counseling Company.
First and foremost, congratulations on having a new baby! Entering parenthood has the potential to give rise to many unanticipated emotions and expectations for yourself. Some people will have feelings of excitement and/or happiness while others might experience feelings of being overwhelmed, sad, and/or anxious. You might also have a mixture of both. Generally, society presents the former as the norm and you might feel as though you are expected to just know what to do. As a result of these expectations you may be under the impression that something is “wrong” or that you are a “failure” if you have difficulty meeting society’s expectations of immediate connection and happiness. However, experts report that an estimated 80% of all new mothers will experience mood swings and/or weeping that starts a few days after following the birth of a new child. These are symptoms of what we refer to as “Baby Blues”. Symptoms of baby blues typically only last for a few weeks and do not require medical intervention nor do they interfere with your ability to care for your infant.
Symptoms of Baby Blues include:
Mood swings
The other side of motherhood. At times, the responsibilities of motherhood can be exhausting.
Anxiety
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling Overwhelmed
Crying
Reduced concentration
Appetite problems
Trouble sleeping
Now that we’ve highlighted the symptoms that are characteristic of the Baby Blues; I believe that it is equally important to highlight the symptoms that are characteristic of Postpartum Depression as well so that you might be better able to to distinguish the differences between the two. It is important to note that if you observe that your symptoms of Baby Blues does not resolve or even start to increase after a few weeks, then it may be a possibility that you are experiencing symptoms of Postpartum Depression or another perinatal mood disorder. Please know that you are not alone! Postpartum Depression affects approximately 15% of women and it even affects 10% of dads. It is also important to note that symptoms of Postpartum Depression are very much similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder although symptoms of Postpartum Depression tend to occur after pregnancy and can last up to one year postpartum. If left untreated, Postpartum Depression can potentially develop into Major Depressive Disorder.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression include:
Severe mood swings
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues can be debilitating, leading us to question our parenting skills.
Excessive crying
Difficulty bonding
Insomnia
Intense irritability and anger
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness
Inability to concentrate
Thoughts of harming self or baby
Please remember that if you are experiencing symptoms of either of these disorders; early identification leads to early treatment and relief. Postpartum depression is temporary and treatable with professional help. However, it is important to note there is no universally defined time frame to feel better and each person is unique with different needs. If you feel that you may be suffering from Postpartum Depression, please reach out for support. A few possible treatment options include connecting with your social circle (family or friends), connecting with a therapist, joining a support group, and/or consulting with your primary care physician, OBGYN, or a psychiatrist for medication if necessary. As a new parent, it is important for you to take time to engage in self-care activities including but not limited to getting rest and recuperating, eating well, and taking breaks to prevent burnout. No one is perfect and each of us could use a helping hand at times. Never be afraid to ask for help.
At Compassionate Counseling Company, we are offering an ongoing weekly Postpartum Stress Support Group that begins virtually on Monday August 8th at 7 PM. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis in order to attend the group. Come meet and be supported by other parents with shared experiences by taking advantage of the opportunity to process the stressors and emotions that come along with having a new baby. If you are interested, sign up here.
April graduated from Boston College in 2012 with her Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. April enjoys working with children, adolescents, adults, and families and she currently runs the Postpartum Stress Support Group here at Compassionate Counseling Company.
