Q&A with Mary Stewart
What does perinatal mean?
Perinatal essentially means the 'time around birth.' We use it to describe a period of time that starts at conception and lasts through the first year after giving birth.
Why is it difficult to recognize or admit to being depressed during pregnancy?
Pregnancy and motherhood come with significant life changes to not only routines, jobs, and finances, but also to a woman's body, hormones, families, and self-identity. With so much change, feeling overwhelmed and fatigued is expected. Sometimes we can mistake a higher level of distress for what's "normal." A new mom might feel that asking for help means she's not able to handle motherhood. It can also be difficult to share emotions with loved ones, particularly if a woman not experiencing the "blissful glow" of pregnancy or immediately connecting with their newborn. Finally, every person's experience of anxiety and depression is unique to them, and the signs and symptoms might not look like what we expect depression or anxiety to look like.
What causes perinatal health disorders?
Often a woman can feel like they did something wrong to "get" a mood disorder, or were unable to "handle" it, when in actuality, there is no singular case for a perinatal health disorder. It's often a result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, and social stressors, as well as sensitivity to hormone changes.
What if I'm not feeling depressed? Are there any other perinatal health reactions or disorders?
Yes - it's also common for women to experience anxiety, panic, intrusive repetitive thoughts, posttraumatic stress and feelings of panic. Some women might also experience symptoms of a bipolar disorder, which can include cycling between periods of depression and states of high energy and impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, and elevated moods. The least common reaction is postpartum psychosis, which occurs in .001% of births.
What should I do if I think I have perinatal depression or anxiety?
If you think you might have perinatal depression or anxiety, speak with a trusted and informed care provider as soon as you can. You can also reach out to a care provider who specializes in perinatal mental health for guidance or visit Postpartum Support Internationals' website (www.postpartum.net) for help and recommendations for providers.
What kind of treatment would help?
Treatment is often individualized to best suit your needs. It can include meeting with a therapist who has training in perinatal mental health and finding other ways of increasing support and reducing symptoms, like self-care (rest and nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and support with caring for your child and yourself), increased social support (spending time with friends, loved ones, or a support group) and medication, if needed. You can work with your therapists, doctors, and/or other care providers to find a plan that works best to support you in healing.
How do you approach therapy for perinatal patients?
My goal is to create a safe and comforting space to identify symptoms, process emotions, and create a plan to best support my clients. I use a combination of talk therapy and art therapy to support the exploration of my clients' needs, whether that's processing their new identity as a mom, working challenging thoughts or emotions, practicing coping skills, or setting up external supports to help outside of the therapeutic space.
Are there any unique techniques you utilize when helping perinatal patients?
I use a variety of art therapy and talk therapy techniques that focus on processing emotions, exploring identity, building comfort with coping skills, and providing space to support secure attachment with your child. In a session, we might practice grounding skills, create a visual map of supportive people in your life, or make an artwork or collage to help you discover your new identity as a mom. My approach is collaborative - we'll work together to choose techniques that work best for you.
