Pregnancy and Mental Health: Understanding Pregnancy-Related Challenges

While pregnancy is often a joyful and transformative experience, for many women, it can cause a myriad of mental health challenges. Postpartum depression, fertility struggles, and pregnancy loss are all significant emotional events that can trigger feelings of sadness, anxiety, grief, guilt, and depression. In addition, women suffering from these challenges often do so in silence because of how incredibly isolating the experience can feel. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your mental health and seek support if you are struggling.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most well-known mental health issues related to pregnancy, affecting approximately 1 in 7 women after childbirth. Unlike the "baby blues," which describes mild feelings of worry, sadness, and exhaustion in the first two weeks after giving birth, postpartum depression is persistent and severe and usually begins within four to eight weeks after birth. Women with postpartum depression often experience feelings of extreme sadness, fatigue, or anger and generally do not feel better without treatment.

Women with postpartum depression may also struggle with bonding with their newborn, experience feelings of inadequacy as a parent, and even have difficulty taking care of the baby and themselves. In severe cases, it can lead to thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby. Postpartum depression is believed to be caused by hormonal changes, but the intense social pressures and expectations that new moms often feel can also play a significant role.

Fertility Struggles

Fertility issues also can take a toll on mental health. Couples trying to conceive may find themselves battling feelings of frustration, isolation, and helplessness when pregnancy does not happen as quickly or easily as expected. It can often feel like a personal failure, leading to depression and anxiety. Women may struggle with their identity and self-esteem, feel guilty for being unable to conceive, or feel as if they’ve lost control over their own bodies.

Additionally, struggles with fertility create a sense of isolation, especially when social expectations place pressure on women to have children. Friends, family, and even strangers may unintentionally add to the emotional burden by asking about pregnancy plans or offering unsolicited advice. This can deepen the sense of loneliness and exacerbate feelings of depression or anxiety. Experiencing difficulty conceiving also puts immense pressure on the couples’ relationship, increasing resentment, conflict, and stress.

Pregnancy Loss

The loss of a pregnancy is one of the most devastating experiences a woman will have to cope with. The loss of a baby can feel like a loss of hope, and many women may find it difficult to process their emotions. Women may experience feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy in addition to intense grief, which can take months or even years to heal. Women who have experienced pregnancy loss are also at higher risk for postpartum depression if they later conceive because the psychological trauma of loss can continue to affect their emotional well-being.

Common Threads: Hormones, Psychological Stress, and Societal Pressure

Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, after childbirth, and during fertility treatments can greatly influence mood and increase vulnerability to depression. These fluctuations, especially combined with the stress of fertility treatments or the grief of a pregnancy loss, create a perfect storm for emotional distress.

The psychological stress from dealing with infertility, the exhausting routine of being a new mom, or the trauma of losing a pregnancy is also a major contributing factor to feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the stress from experiencing one of these challenges makes it more likely for a woman to experience mental health struggles when facing another challenge down the road. For example, a woman who has had difficulty conceiving may feel immense pressure to have a healthy pregnancy, and when that doesn’t happen, it can significantly exacerbate feelings of inadequacy or loss of control. Likewise, a woman who has lost a pregnancy is more likely to experience postpartum depression because of the trauma she already experienced with her previous pregnancy.

The strong societal pressure to have children, especially for women, can make those who are struggling with fertility or pregnancy loss feel even more isolated. The stigma surrounding these issues can make it difficult for women to speak out, leading to feelings of shame that further degrade their mental health. Pressure to be a good mom and feel instantly bonded to your newborn may also contribute to postpartum depression.

Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Help

Common symptoms associated with these pregnancy-related mental health challenges include:

• Intense sadness or severe mood swings
• Severe anxiety and panic attacks
• Difficulty bonding with your baby
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Loss of appetite or eating more than usual
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Overwhelming exhaustion
• Loss of interest in activities and things that you used to enjoy
• Intense irritability and anger
• Fear that you're not a good mother or won’t be a good mother
• Feelings of hopelessness or isolation
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Lack of concentration or ability to make decisions
• Feelings of resentment, anger, or frustration toward your partner

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Early intervention is key: the sooner you address your symptoms, the higher your chance of successfully recovering, improving your quality of life, and preventing more severe symptoms from developing.

• Counseling is an effective tool for working through the psychological aspects of these challenges. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach used to address negative thought patterns and provide healthy coping strategies to alleviate feelings of overwhelming depression and anxiety.
• Medication may also be an option to balance moods and reduce symptoms. See a general practitioner or psychiatrist to evaluate you and offer guidance on the right type of medication for your symptoms.

• Support groups play an essential role in healing. Connecting with others who have experienced similar challenges offers comfort and validation in a safe space where you can share stories, gain valuable advice, and learn from others on a similar journey.

You Deserve Help and Healing

If you or someone you know is struggling with a pregnancy-related mental health issue, remember that help is available.

At Haven at Ramapo Ridge, we provide inpatient trauma-informed care in a safe space for women only. Women suffering from severe depression and anxiety related to various types of trauma – including pregnancy loss, fertility struggles, and postpartum depression – heal in a comforting environment through personalized care plans that address their individual struggles and experiences. Because Haven is a safe space separate from the general population, we provide women with privacy, a sense of security and stability away from triggers, and a peaceful environment for small-group therapy sessions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (201) 848-5500 or visit ChristianHealthNJ.info/Haven and take the first step toward the healing that you deserve.

We also offer outpatient counseling services. From your first appointment at at LiveWell, our therapeutic counseling center, you’ll receive personalized, compassionate care, customized to treat your individual symptoms. Your treatment plan may include counseling to talk through emotions and develop effective coping skills, medication to help alleviate symptoms, or a combination of both. Recommended treatment may include one or more different types of therapy, such as private one-on-one counseling, family therapy, or group therapy. To learn more, please call (201) 848-5800 or visit ChristianHealthNJ.info/LiveWellCounseling.