More than just the baby blues? Join me for a free community class on PMADs at the Honest Weight Food Coop on 9/18
If you are trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum, you probably have spent a lot of time thinking about pregnancy, planning for birth, and maybe getting ready to bring a newborn home. What you may not have considered is the impact that bringing a new baby into your family can have on your mental health and wellbeing.
Becoming a parent or adding a baby to your family is a profound life transition that has an understandable impact on our bodies, identity, and relationships. It is common to feel an increase in anxiety and mood changes. This can feel tough or unexpected when cultural narrative around motherhood tends to emphasize the joyous parts, and gloss over the parts about how sleep deprivation and hormonal shifts can have a huge impact on mental health.
While most (or all) birthing people and new parents will experience some increase in anxiety and stress, a percentage of birthing people and partners will develop a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD). Untreated mental health disorders are the leading cause of maternal death, and understanding the warning signs, risk factors, and where and how to access support can help all birthing people, new parents, and their support people access care and treatment.
In an effort to help all birthing people and their loved ones feel empowered and supported throughout pregnancy, postpartum and beyond, I am thrilled to offer a FREE community class on PMADs at the Honest Weight Food Coop.
This class is open to all, and will be especially helpful for anyone who is pregnant or postpartum, or knows someone who is.
What We’ll Cover
PMADs affect up to 1 in 5 birthing people and 1 in 10 partners, yet they remain heavily misunderstood and stigmatized. In this session, we will explore:
The Spectrum of PMADs: This class will be provide an introduction of typical perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety disorders and OCD, perinatal PTSD and postpartum psychosis. We will break down the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression, and how to differentiate typical intrusive thoughts from postpartum psychosis.
Signs & Symptoms: Recognizing the warning signs in yourself, a partner, or a loved one.
Resources and Support: We will cover the factors and supports that help to reduce risk of developing a PMAD, and what to focus on when creating your postpartum support plan.
Building Your local Support Network: How to connect with local resources, specialized providers, and community care.
Event Details
Location: Honest Weight Food Coop, Community Room, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, NY.
Time and Date: Friday, September 18, 10:30-12 PM.
Cost: Free & open to the public (Partners, support people, and babies/children welcome!)
Registration: Walk ins welcome, registration preferred: click here to register
About your host
I am a licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental healthcare provider, and the founder of Other Plans Therapy, a private therapy practice in Albany, NY. The focus of my clinical work is on supporting neurodivergent mothers and millennial women, with a particular emphasis on trauma informed care for those in the perinatal window. I am passionate about sharing knowledge and resources so all birthing people and those who love them feel empowered and supported throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. You can read more about my experience and why I opened Other Plans Therapy here.
Come as you are, messy bun, sweatpants, milk stains and all. I hope to see you there, as I am so excited to share the knowledge, community and healing that I wish I had when I was pregnant, because we were never meant to carry this alone.
