Providing Care and Support in a Time That Can Hold Such Polarizing Emotions
Antepartum, pregnancy, and postpartum are seasons often painted with society’s rose-colored glasses.
Antepartum, pregnancy, and postpartum are seasons often painted with society’s rose-colored glasses. We see images of glowing mothers and perfectly swaddled babies, but for many women, this season is far more complex.
As a mom of nearly two under two and a survivor of both traumatic pregnancy and birth, I know firsthand how challenging this journey can be. I am passionate about opening conversations around the real, often unspoken experiences of pregnancy and postpartum.
The Realities Many Women Face
Many women face infertility struggles, unwanted pregnancies, prenatal depression, medical trauma, or life circumstances that overshadow what is often expected to be a joyful season. The reality is, your experience is uniquely yours, and it doesn’t have to feel positive all the time.
You might feel:
Excitement and fear at the same time
Joy mixed with guilt
Peace followed by waves of sadness or frustration
Loneliness, even when surrounded by others
Some women have prayed, manifested, or deeply hoped for this season, while others find themselves mourning the life they had or the identity they have known. All of these feelings are valid.
Why Talking About It Matters
There is so much pressure on mothers to be grateful and happy, which can silence the real struggles happening underneath. Open, judgment-free conversation is essential during this season.
As a mental health provider, I am committed to creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Whether you are ready to process your birth story, explore your fears, grieve your old identity, or simply say out loud, “This is really hard,” you deserve a space to be seen and heard.
Support Is Available
While medication can be a valuable tool for some, many women benefit from non-pharmacological support, education, and consistent resources throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journey. Therapy, somatic practices, mindfulness, and community connection can help you feel supported while honoring the complexity of this season.
Holland Stidham Counseling Intern
Why Counseling?
Over the years as a mental health counselor, I have often heard from individuals “I am not in a crisis so I don't need counseling” or “I don’t want to take a spot from someone who really needs it”.
Over the years as a mental health counselor, I have often heard from individuals “I am not in a crisis so I don't need counseling” or “I don’t want to take a spot from someone who really needs it”. Unfortunately, these statements just reinforce the stigma that counseling is only for people dealing with “real issues”. Which minimizes the truth, that we all can benefit from mental health counseling no matter what we are going through. In this blog, I want to highlight some important benefits of what the therapeutic process can provide for someone considering counseling, but who is still unsure if they “really need it”.
Feeling Heard - A mental health counselor holds space and listens without judgment. There is no hierarchy of pain so no matter what is going on for someone, the counselor is the person who is just present and listens. Think, Brene Brown, they climb down and get in the hole with a person.
Assist Positive Change - A mental health counselor is educated and trained in various evidence-based modalities to promote balance in all life task areas. They do not avoid uncomfortable emotions or conversations, they lean into the discomfort and encourage the client to do the same. Because that is where change can happen.
Promote Balance - Together in the therapeutic process, a client works to increase their insight into what they need for balance. This can be by improving communication skills, boundary setting, coping skills and more to improve their overall well-being.
Provide Connection - They help navigate connections to outside resources within their community for additional support that may be needed.
Overall, mental health counseling is a vulnerable but rewarding process that is beneficial for everyone, no matter what. I would encourage all to take the step of making that first appointment because we all deserve to process emotions, seek change, and find balance in our lives.
Caitlin Hart LCPC NCC