I love myself enough to take care of all of me- body, mind, spirit and soul.
-Rachel Macy Stafford
The perinatal period can be one of the hardest to go through for women. There’s often a lot of societal pressure to be happy, vibrant and glowing at every step of your pregnancy, which is often not the case for most of us. If you’re in postpartum, you might be struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or a myriad of other issues that can show up during the first year after giving birth. If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone, and that pregnancy and postpartum have their unique set of issues. Keep reading for more information on perinatal fatigue, overwhelm and unmet needs.
Possible causes of perinatal fatigue:
- Pregnancy discomfort
- Baby not sleeping
- A child having nightmares
- Anxiety
- Greif
- A sick kid
- A medical issue
- Depression
- Trauma
- SAD/ Seasonal Affective Disorder in the fall and winter months
What else would you add here?
Possible causes of perinatal overwhelm:
- Trying to do it all yourself
- Relationship instability
- Being socially isolated
- Lack of emotional connection with others
- Putting other people’s needs above your own
- Lack of self-care
- Financial stressors
- Too much to do and not enough time to do it
- Too many emotions hitting all at once
What else would you add here?
Unmet needs in pregnancy and postpartum:
- Sleep
- Movement
- Feeling connected to others
- Healthy eating
- Mental stimulation
- Hydration
- Needing quiet
- A clean home
- Alone time
- Time for self-care
What else would you add to this list?
Struggles in pregnancy and postpartum are common and often hard to admit to ourselves and others. If you’re struggling right now, please reach out to a doctor or therapist in your area to get extra support. I’m sending lots of compassion your way as you navigate these stages in your own life.
