When Becoming a New mom sucks: 7 common challenges of new moms

You have just become a mother, there is nothing more magical in life. At least that is how it is supposed to feel, right? However, there are times after having your baby that don’t feel magical. At Katy Counseling our skilled team of therapists offers Postpartum Counseling to help new mothers navigate these feelings.

New mothers can face a variety of challenges as they navigate the transition to motherhood.

Here are some common problems that new mothers may face:

Postpartum depression:

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs after childbirth. Symptoms may include feelings of sadness, irritability, fatigue, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

Lack of sleep:

Newborns require around-the-clock care, which can lead to sleep deprivation for new mothers. This can make it challenging to manage other aspects of daily life, such as work or household chores.

Breastfeeding difficulties:

Breastfeeding can be challenging for some new mothers. Issues such as low milk supply, engorgement, or difficulty latching can cause physical and emotional stress.

Lack of support:

New mothers may feel isolated or unsupported, particularly if they don’t have a strong support system or partner to help with childcare.

Physical recovery:

Physical recovery from childbirth can be difficult and take time. New mothers may experience pain, fatigue, and other physical symptoms that can make it challenging to care for themselves or their newborn.

Balancing work and family:

Many new mothers face the challenge of balancing work and family responsibilities, which can be stressful and overwhelming.

Expectations: 

We have a lot of expectations coming into motherhood – some put on us, others that we create for ourselves. Regardless, we have all of these expectations of what motherhood is supposed to be from the very start. The issue with this is these expectations are usually put into our mind without the realization that post-baby our body changes more than we realize including hormone changes and weight or body shape.

Women Can Experience Postpartum Depression as a Result of These Challenges

It can be really easy to feel overwhelmed in general after having a baby. Learning a new schedule, trying to figure out what your baby needs, and giving all of who you are to this new child are something that can take a toll on any woman. What can happen to women after having their babies is that they can experience Postpartum depression or anxiety. 

Postpartum Depression Looks Different for Every Woman

Postpartum depression or anxiety can look different for each individual woman, but symptoms often include feeling irritable, empty, and moody. A woman can lose interest in the things that she used to enjoy or lack confidence in something that she once did well.  In some cases, postpartum depression can develop into much worse issues including psychosis and suicidal thoughts.  The changes from having a baby can also make pre-existing mental health issues worse especially if a new mom had to stop taking medications during pregnancy or nursing. Postpartum counseling can help overcome these challenges.

You Are Not in This Battle Alone

You do not have to struggle alone!  Postpartum Counseling is proven to help new moms struggling to adjust. We want to give you some free resources to support you whether you are simply trying to heal your body or need more intense support for mental health issues arising from becoming a new mom.

Here are several resources for you:

PSI Online Support Meetings | Postpartum Support International (PSI) – Online support groups for women experiencing Postpartum mental health issues available internationally.

Helpful Postpartum Depression Resources – Support Groups, Tools & More – A website full of resources for women including screening quizzes, online support groups, and other helpful tools.

Postpartum Freebies & Resources (elephant-baby.com) – Free resources for all things postpartum including nutrition guides, hair guides, and couples’ intimacy after postpartum.

Are you ready to start postpartum counseling in Katy, TX?

Therapy with a therapist specializing in women’s issues can help you learn skills and tools to reduce new motherhood stress or treat postpartum depression.  You are not in this alone. If you are drowning Katy Counseling is here to offer you a lifeline. Follow the steps below to start your journey to healing.

• Learn more about our team here.
• Fill out our convenient online contact form for more information.
• Begin the journey to finding joy in life and motherhood.

Other Mental Health Services Offered at Katy Counseling

In addition to offering services for postpartum care and Women’s Issues, we also offer a wide range of services for adults, teens, and children. These services include Play Therapy, Teen Counseling, Adult Counseling, Couples Counseling, Trauma Counseling, and Lens Neurofeedback. Our goal is to meet you where you are and help guide you through the issues you are facing in a positive and supportive way.