Supporting Families Through the Peripartum Period:: A Clinician’s Guide for Affirmative, Practical, and Therapeutic Care (Mental Health support) - Softcover

Zweig, MSW, Allison

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798287510183

Publisher: Independently published, 2025

Synopsis

Support the peripartum journey with confidence and care.
This comprehensive peripartum resource is designed for new parents, therapists, doulas, and educators seeking to understand and support the pregnancy and postpartum experience. Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself or helping others, this bundle offers evidence-based guidance, emotional support, and tools for mental health awareness, including how to recognize and treat PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders).

🌈 Understanding Unique Experiences
LGBTQ+ families may have additional considerations when navigating the postpartum period. For example, same-sex couples or non-gestational parents may experience different dynamics in the early days of parenthood. Clinicians and educators need to be aware of how gender identity and sexual orientation may impact the experience of parenthood and how to foster an inclusive, affirming environment.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)

Definition and Prevalence
PMADs affect a significant portion of new parents, with estimates suggesting that 1 in 7 individuals experience a mood or anxiety disorder during the perinatal period. These disorders include:

• Postpartum Depression (PPD): Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue that can affect daily functioning.

• Postpartum Anxiety (PPA): Heightened worry, restlessness, and sometimes panic attacks, often related to fear of harming the baby.

• Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (PPOCD): Recurrent intrusive thoughts (e.g., harming the baby) and compulsive behaviors (e.g., checking) to reduce anxiety.

• Postpartum Psychosis: A rare but serious condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and impaired reality, which requires immediate medical attention.

• Postpartum PTSD: Can develop following a traumatic birth experience, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.

• Recognizing Symptoms: Reflect on how you’ve been feeling emotionally. Have you noticed any changes in your mood or behavior that feel concerning? What steps could you take today to seek support if needed?

• Postpartum Plan: Create a plan that includes ways to check in with yourself and others about your mental health. What signs would prompt you to reach out for professional help?

Edition details

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798287510183
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 58