​Perinatal Anxiety and Mood Disorders (PMADS) 

​Perinatal Anxiety and Mood Disorders (PMADS) happen in 1 out of 5 birthing people during pregnancy and/or during the first year after childbirth. PMADS include a wide range of emotional complications that affect an expectant or new parents during pregnancy or the first year after birth. Most commonly, PMADS impact the birthing person but many times fathers, partners, and adoptive parents can experience depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders after having a baby.
Symptoms may be gradual or sudden, but should not be ignored.
  • Not eating, not bathing, not taking care of oneself
  • Agitation/Anger/Sadness/Fear
  • Racing thoughts/jumping topics
  • Excessive concern about baby’s or own health
  • Fear of being alone with the baby
  • Feeling numb or not like yourself
  • Not sleeping when the baby is sleeping
​PMADS are impacted by the biology, physiology, lack of sleep, transition of identity from pregnancy to parenthood, one’s dreams, and one’s own expectations of motherhood/fatherhood versus the reality of having a baby.

​"When action
meets compassion,
lives change."