When Motherhood Feels Heavier Than Expected: Honoring Maternal Mental Health Month

May brings blooming flowers, longer days - and both Maternal Mental Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month! Maternal Mental Health Month isn’t just about awareness - it’s about truth-telling, validation, and support for those who are quietly struggling while doing one of the most life-altering things a person can do: become a mother.

While we celebrate new life, we also need space to acknowledge what’s hard. Up to 1 in 5 mothers experience a maternal mental health disorder, making it the most common complication of childbirth. And yet, many suffer in silence, wondering if what they’re feeling is just part of the process - or something more. This month is a call to change that narrative.

So, what do you need to know about maternal mental health this May? Read on for more info from the holistic healers at Rise and Thrive Counseling! 

1. Know What’s Normal - and What’s Not

The postpartum period is full of emotional highs and lows, and it can be difficult to tell when a new mom is simply adjusting, or in an actual crisis. Understanding the difference helps reduce shame and increase support.

Here are some ways to differentiate between a traditional, normative postpartum experience and something more: 

• “Baby blues” are common and expected, usually showing up within the first few days postpartum and fading within two weeks. They often include tearfulness, mood swings, and exhaustion.

• A key marker of the baby blues is that moms still feel happiness and self-worth, even when emotions run high.

• When symptoms persist beyond two weeks and include hopelessness, low self-esteem, or thoughts of harm, it may signal postpartum depression.

• Less commonly discussed but equally important are postpartum anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and the rare but serious postpartum psychosis.

• If you're unsure, that’s okay. Reaching out to a provider trained in maternal mental health can offer clarity and support.
  

2. Understand Your Risk and Break the Isolation

Maternal mental health struggles don’t happen in a vacuum; they often arise from a perfect storm of biology, life experiences, and lack of support. Knowing risk factors can help reduce self-blame and open doors to early care.

Some things to look out for, and some reminders:

• Risk factors include a personal or family history of mental illness, PMS or hormone-sensitive mood shifts, endocrine disorders (like PCOS or thyroid conditions), or a history of pregnancy loss or infertility.

• A strong support system can be protective, but many moms still feel lonely even when they’re not alone.

• If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not weak, you're human. You may just need more support than what’s currently around you.

• Therapy can be a powerful space to process grief, identity changes, or unmet expectations around motherhood.

• You're not broken - you’re navigating something hard, and help exists to walk you through it.
  

3. Therapy is Not Just Treatment, It’s Transformation

Seeking therapy doesn’t mean you’re failing as a mom. In fact, it’s often the bravest, most loving thing you can do for yourself and your child.

Some thoughts about mental health care for moms: 

• Evidence-based therapies like CBT, ACT, DBT, IPT, and EMDR are effective and tailored to your needs.

• Therapy can help you explore who you are now, as you transition into motherhood—grieve what’s been lost, and make room for what’s ahead.

• Common therapy goals include reducing perfectionism and comparison, improving communication, and strengthening your relationships.

• Therapy also supports rebuilding self-esteem and navigating changes with your partner, family, or work.

• You deserve support that sees you—not just the baby, the role, or the expectations.

Where to Find Support in North Carolina

If you're in North Carolina and seeking support for maternal mental health, several organizations and programs are dedicated to helping mothers navigate the challenges of pregnancy and postpartum periods:

• NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS: This program offers free resources for healthcare professionals and families, aiming to improve access to mental health care for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

• Postpartum Support International – North Carolina Chapter: Provides education, advocacy, and support for perinatal mental health issues affecting mothers and their families across the state.

• Atrium Health’s Maternal Wellness Program: Offers compassionate mental health care during and after pregnancy, including treatment for perinatal depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. 

• Wayne UNC Health Care – Maternal Mental Health Services: Provides counseling and support groups for women experiencing emotional difficulties during or after pregnancy, including postpartum depression and anxiety.

• MAHEC Maternal Health Innovations Resource Hub: A comprehensive resource hub providing information on maternal health initiatives, support services, and programs across North Carolina.
  

Speaking of mental healthcare: if you want more holistic help, look no further than Rise and Thrive Counseling. Our holistic counselors can help address all areas of life. Reach out today to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you!