How Negative Beliefs Can Shape Postpartum
I have previously mentioned I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health, but what exactly is Perinatal Mental Health? Perinatal (i.e., can occur during pregnancy and/or postpartum) Mood + Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the #1 pregnancy and postpartum complication. Number. One.
PMADs can occur any time during pregnancy or in the first year of postpartum, usually peaking around 3-4 months (aka around the time when the birth parent may be going back to work).
Research has indicated that 1 in 5 birth parents experience one or more PMADs. The actual number is most likely much higher, as it is common for mental health conditions to be underreported due to stigma and shame.
38% of birth parents of color experience PMADs, which is almost 2X the rate of white birth parents. Also, 60% of people of color with PMADs do not, or are not able to, access treatment.
PMADs can also happen to partners, as well as those who have experienced pregnancy loss, abortion, and adoption.
While postpartum depression has been the umbrella term for postpartum mental health, and while as many as 10-15% of birth parents do experience it, many others don’t identify with the depressive symptoms. PMADs encompass a variety of other diagnoses, including Perinatal Anxiety and Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Something very interesting I have noticed since starting my work with parents, is seeing how people’s childhood negative core beliefs pop back up when they become parents, and how these beliefs can play a role in the development of a PMAD.
For example, if a person believed “I am a failure” or “I am not enough” during their upbringing, those beliefs may come back up for them if they are unable to produce enough milk their baby needs. Without awareness of the presence of these negative core beliefs, and without actively engaging in ways to cope with how they may be feeling (e.g., sadness), the person could spiral into a PMAD (e.g., perinatal anxiety could look like obsessively weighing the baby before and after every feeding, and becoming highly anxious when the baby gains a minimal amount).
If you want to read an example of how I have identified, and started working on changing, one of my own negative core beliefs, subscribe to my newsletter here. Then, you can also get access to my FREE guide, What’s Holding You Back?: 10 Common Limiting Beliefs in Parenthood!
If you are concerned you may be experiencing a PMAD, please reach out for support. Postpartum Support International has amazing information and resources listed on their website: https://www.postpartum.net.
