Postpartum Doesn’t Always Look the Way You Think
The word “postpartum” often brings to mind images of sleepy newborns, soft blankets, and parents soaking up quiet moments of bonding. But for many people, the postpartum experience is far more complex. It can be joyful and overwhelming, deeply meaningful and disorienting, tender and lonely, all at once.
Postpartum isn’t just a physical recovery. It’s a major emotional and psychological transition. Your body has changed, your identity may be shifting, and your relationships are adjusting in real time. You might feel grief alongside gratitude, fear alongside love, and exhaustion that runs deeper than anything you’ve ever known.
And yet, because these experiences aren’t often talked about, they can leave parents feeling confused, ashamed, or isolated. You might ask yourself, “Why am I struggling when I thought this would be the happiest time of my life?”
The truth is, postpartum looks different for everyone. And struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.
The Many Faces of Postpartum
There is no one “right” way to feel in the weeks and months after birth. Postpartum might include:
Mood swings, irritability, or numbness
Sleep challenges, even when the baby is resting
Feeling disconnected from your body or your baby
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
Difficulty communicating with your partner
Intrusive thoughts or fears that feel hard to say out loud
A deep sense of grief, even in the midst of joy
Some of these symptoms may fall under postpartum depression or anxiety, but not always. Even outside of a clinical diagnosis, the emotional labor of early parenting can be intense and confusing. You are not alone in this.
Why Therapy Can Help
Therapy during the postpartum period offers space to slow down, name what you’re feeling, and be seen without judgment. It’s a place to untangle the guilt, fear, or uncertainty that often gets hidden beneath the surface.
A skilled perinatal therapist can help you:
Normalize the wide range of postpartum emotions
Process changes in identity, roles, and relationships
Work through birth trauma or difficult medical experiences
Rebuild connection with your body and intuition
Develop coping tools for anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts
Strengthen your support system and ask for what you need
Postpartum therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about supporting you as you navigate something physically and emotionally profound.
You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone
Whether you’re a first-time parent or already have children, each postpartum experience is different. Your healing matters just as much as your baby’s care. You deserve support that honors the complexity of this season, holds space for your full emotional range, and helps you feel less alone.
There is no shame in needing help. In fact, reaching out for it may be one of the most meaningful steps you take for yourself and for your family.
We Are Here For You
Cameron Mashburn
Parenting & Perinatal Director
Becoming a parent is one of the most profound transitions a person can experience, and it doesn’t come with a manual. Whether you’re trying to conceive, navigating pregnancy or postpartum, adjusting to life with a newborn, or struggling with the evolving identity of parenthood, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our Parenting & Perinatal Therapy program is led by clinicians who specialize in these tender, complex seasons of life. We’re here to support you with care, insight, and compassion.
When you’re ready, reach out to us. We’d be honored to walk with you.
