Pregnancy & Postpartum Mental Health
When Pregnancy and/or Postpartum Life doesn't feel like you anymore
You can love your baby and still feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or not like yourself. Many mothers are told this is “normal new-mom stress” — or that they should just be grateful because their baby is healthy.
But when your nervous system has been stretched beyond its limits during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum, these feelings aren’t a failure — they’re a signal.
Support can help.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are often depicted as a time of joy and fulfillment, but for many mothers, it can also be overwhelming and emotionally challenging. If you're experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or worry during pregnancy or after giving birth, you may be dealing with a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD).
What are PMADs really?
PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) include emotional and nervous-system responses that can show up during pregnancy or anytime in the first year after birth — and sometimes longer.
They don’t always look like what people expect.
PMADs may include:
Postpartum anxiety or panic
Postpartum depression
Birth trauma
Intrusive or racing thoughts
Sleep disruption unrelated to the baby
Feeling disconnected from yourself, your baby, or your partner
Constant worry, guilt, or fear of “getting it wrong”
Short answer: PMADs are not a weakness. They are common, treatable, and rooted in how the brain and body respond to overwhelm and stress.
I Had a Healthy Baby — Why Am I Not Okay?
This is one of the most common things mothers say in therapy.
You may have been told:
“At least the baby is healthy”
“You should be grateful”
“This is just part of motherhood”
But your body doesn’t respond to logic — it responds to experience.
If your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum period included fear, loss of control, medical emergencies, pain, isolation, or unmet expectations, your nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode.
Nothing is wrong with you.
**It's Okay to Seek Help**
It's important to understand that PMADs are common and treatable. You are not alone, and your feelings are valid. Our team at Amber Sperling Social Work and Psychotherapy Services is trained to provide compassionate support and evidence-based therapy to help you navigate this challenging time and emerge stronger as a parent.
**You Deserve to Thrive**
Motherhood is a journey filled with ups and downs, but with the right support, you can overcome obstacles and embrace the joys of parenthood. Don't hesitate to reach out for help. You deserve to heal, thrive, and enjoy this precious time with your baby.
**Take the First Step Towards Healing**
If you're struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, know that help is available. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced therapists. You don't have to face this journey alone.
Are there virtual therapy options available in Ontario for new mothers experiencing anxiety?
Yes. Ontario-licensed therapists — including our team — offer virtual therapy for new mothers experiencing anxiety, including postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and mood changes. These services are available across Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, North Bay, etc.) and can be booked online to fit around baby’s schedule. We are very used to babies coming and going through sessions and moms feeding/rocking as needed. We are moms and we get it. No embarrassment or shame needed when baby cries - babies cry! No apologies for when they need you - your baby needs you!
Virtual sessions for new moms mean no packing up diaper bags, cars or wrestling strollers. We love seeing you in our office, but therapy should not add stress to your life.
Is This Postpartum Anxiety or Just New-Mom Stress?
Some adjustment after having a baby is normal.
Feeling constantly on edge is not.
Postpartum anxiety may look like:
Constant worry you can’t shut off
Difficulty relaxing even when the baby is sleeping
Intrusive thoughts that scare you
Physical symptoms (tight chest, racing heart, nausea)
Feeling responsible for everything going wrong
If your anxiety feels persistent, consuming, or out of proportion, therapy can help calm your nervous system — not just manage symptoms.
When Birth Feels Like It’s Still Happening
Many women are surprised to learn that birth trauma doesn’t require a life-threatening event.
If you:
Replay your birth over and over
Feel emotional or panicky when thinking about it
Avoid hospitals, appointments, or conversations about birth
Feel grief or anger about how things unfolded
…this may be birth trauma.
Short answer: If your birth still feels “alive” in your body or mind, trauma-informed therapy can help your nervous system recognize that the danger has passed.
How Therapy Helps With PMADs
Talk therapy alone isn’t always enough — especially when anxiety or trauma lives in the body.
At our clinic, we use mind-body, trauma-informed approaches that support real nervous-system regulation, including:
EMDR therapy
Trauma-informed psychotherapy
Gentle nervous-system stabilization
Support for identity shifts and confidence as a parent
Many clients notice relief within the first few sessions.
If you’re wondering why you’re struggling even though everything looks “fine” from the outside, this article may help:
I Had a Healthy Baby — But I’m Not Okay. Now What?
Care Led by Amber Sperling, MSW, RSW
This work is led by Amber Sperling, MSW, RSW, a perinatal mental health therapist specializing in postpartum anxiety, PMADs, and birth trauma.
Amber is:
EMDR-certified
Specially trained in perinatal mental health
Based in Barrie & Orillia, serving clients across Ontario
Founder of a women-focused psychotherapy practice supporting mothers through pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting transitions
Your care may also include one of our trusted associate therapists, all trained in trauma-informed, perinatal-focused work.
You Don’t Have to Push Through This
You don’t need to wait until things get worse.
You don’t need to prove it was “bad enough.”
You don’t need to carry this alone.
Support is available — and healing is possible.
You deserve the best care
You deserve the best care
Evidence-Based Interventions for Perinatal Mental Health
At Amber Sperling Social Work and Psychotherapy Services, we are dedicated to providing effective, evidence-based interventions to support your journey to maternal wellness. Our therapists are trained in a variety of approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Interpersonal Relational Therapies, all of which have been shown to be highly effective in addressing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Additionally, for those struggling with difficult pregnancy and birth trauma, we offer specialized therapy such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which can help process and integrate traumatic experiences, fostering healing and resilience. Our goal is to empower you to navigate the challenges of motherhood with strength, confidence, and emotional well-being.
We believe in accessible therapy.
Our Perinatal Therapy Clinic offers pay what you can options for anyone pregnant, grieving a Perinatal loss or postpartum up to school age
