Hormonal shifts and imbalances across the reproductive lifespan can influence mood, energy, sleep, anxiety, and emotion regulation. These shifts occur during menstrual cycles, fertility treatment, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, and during perimenopause and menopause. While these experiences are often grouped together under the umbrella of hormonal changes, they do not all affect mental health in the same way.

Birth trauma can occur when an experience during labor, delivery, or immediate postpartum feels life threatening, out of control, violating, or dehumanizing. The type of birth someone had does not automatically qualify or disqualify it as a traumatic experience. Instead, it is important to consider how the person experienced birth and the impact it has on them at present. Birthing parents, their partners, and support system can all experience a loved one’s birth as traumatic. Each person’s responses to a labor and delivery experience are valid, even if others tell them that nothing bad happened or that they should be grateful.

98% of parents experience intrusive thoughts. After a baby is born, parents’ brains “rewire” to be more alert to danger, so they can protect their baby from possible harm. It makes sense for parents to be on higher alert when caring for a baby that relies on adults to stay alive. However, constantly being on high alert can be a risk factor for developing an anxiety disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Postpartum anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns after birth. During the postpartum period, many people expect the exhaustion and emotional changes that come with sleep deprivation. Fewer people expect the constant worry, urges to check on the baby, sense of dread, or the feeling that something terrible is about to happen, that can emerge in the early weeks and months.