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Postpartum Feelings vs. PMADs: What’s Normal and When to Get Support

After having a baby, everything changes. Your body, your sleep, your relationships, your sense of self. All of it shifts.


That period after birth or loss is called postpartum, and every birthing person experiences it. But not everyone experiences a Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorder, often called a PMAD. Understanding the difference matters, because the words we use shape how quickly people get the support they need.


The Baby Blues: A Common Postpartum Experience

Many people are surprised to learn that feeling emotional after birth is incredibly common. Around 80% of birthing people experience what’s known as the Baby Blues.


This usually starts a few days after delivery and can last up to about two weeks. It often looks like:

  • Feeling tearful or moody for no clear reason

  • Feeling overwhelmed more easily

  • Feeling tired, emotional, or “not quite yourself”


These feelings are often tied to major hormone shifts, sleep deprivation, and the sheer adjustment of caring for a new baby. The Baby Blues are not caused by something you did or didn’t do, and for most people, they ease as the body begins to regulate again.


And yes, this can happen to non-birthing partners too. About 1 in 10 non-birthing partners experience similar emotional changes, often a few months after the baby arrives, as sleep loss, stress, and relationship changes add up.


When It’s More Than the Baby Blues

For some families, those early feelings don’t fade. Instead, they grow stronger, last longer, or begin to interfere with daily life.


Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, or PMADs, describe a group of mental health conditions that can show up during pregnancy, after birth, or after a loss. About 1 in 5 birthing parents and 1 in 10 non-birthing partners experience symptoms that fall into this category.


PMADs are common. They are treatable. And they are not a personal failure.

PMADs don’t look the same for everyone. Some people feel deeply sad or hopeless. Others feel anxious, angry, numb, or stuck in constant worry. Some parents feel disconnected from their baby or terrified that something bad will happen.


PMADs can include things like:

  • Perinatal depression

  • Perinatal anxiety or panic

  • Perinatal OCD

  • Perinatal PTSD

  • Bipolar mood disorders

  • Postpartum psychosis


If you want a more detailed breakdown of symptoms, Postpartum Support International has an excellent overview at postpartum.net.


How Do I Know If I Should Reach Out?

You don’t need a diagnosis to ask for help. You don’t need to be in crisis. And you don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable.


It may be time to reach out if you notice things like:

  • Anger, irritability, or rage that feels out of character

  • Persistent sadness or frequent crying

  • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

  • Feeling disconnected from your baby

  • Constant worry or fear

  • Difficulty relaxing or sleeping when given the chance

  • Changes in appetite not explained by newborn life

  • Feeling unlike yourself for weeks at a time


If you’re wondering whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” or something you shouldn’t ignore, that curiosity alone is a reason to talk with someone.


Support Helps the Whole Family


It can be hard for the person experiencing these symptoms to recognize how much they’re struggling. Partners, family members, and loved ones often notice changes first.


Support doesn’t just help the birthing person. It helps relationships, attachment, and the entire family system. In some cases, attachment-based parent–child therapy can also be helpful, even with infants.


Many parents in and around Louisville reach out simply wanting clarity. They want to know if this is normal adjustment, stress, or something that needs extra support. Therapy can help sort through that without judgment.


You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

I believe in wrapping support around families. Sometimes that includes therapy with me, and sometimes it means helping you find other resources that fit your needs best.


Parenthood is hard, even on good days. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself, reaching out can be the first step toward feeling steadier again.


If you’re unsure whether support would be helpful, I offer a free 15-minute consultation. Whether you’re adjusting to parenthood, navigating family changes, experiencing the Baby Blues, NICU Parent Support, or struggling with a PMAD, support is available.


Additional Support & Resources


Frequently Asked Questions

What is “postpartum” and how long does it last?

Postpartum refers to the period after childbirth or pregnancy loss. People often use it to describe the first year, but emotionally and physically, postpartum can

include ongoing adjustment beyond that early window.


What are the “baby blues”?

Baby blues are common in the first days after birth and can include tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed. They usually improve within about two weeks.


What are PMADs?

PMADs stands for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. It’s an umbrella term for mental health challenges that can show up during pregnancy and after birth or loss, including anxiety, depression, panic, OCD, and trauma symptoms.


How do I know if what I’m feeling is normal adjustment or something I should get support for?

If symptoms feel intense, last longer than a couple of weeks, get worse, or interfere with day-to-day life, it’s worth reaching out. You do not need to be in crisis to deserve support.


Can partners experience postpartum mental health struggles too?

Yes. Non-birthing partners can experience anxiety, depression, and significant stress during pregnancy and after a baby arrives.


Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy?

No. A formal diagnosis is not required to begin therapy. When clinically appropriate, a diagnosis may be used to support treatment planning or out-of-network insurance reimbursement.


Do you offer telehealth in Kentucky?

Yes. In-office sessions are in Louisville, and telehealth sessions are available for clients located anywhere in Kentucky (as appropriate and permitted by licensure).


Is Find Your Village Therapy an LGBTQ+ affirming space?

Yes. Find Your Village Therapy is an LGBTQ+ affirming, inclusive space. You will be treated with respect, care, and dignity.


What if I’m not sure what kind of help I need yet?

That’s common. Many people start with a conversation, talk through what’s been hard, and then decide together what support makes sense.

 
 
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