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When we discuss birth, we include all individuals who give birth—regardless of gender identity, birth setting, or delivery method. This inclusive language honors the diverse experiences of labor, delivery, and transition into parenthood.
We focus on supporting everyone navigating the physical, emotional, and psychological journey of birth—whether it unfolds in a hospital, at home, via cesarean, or through unmedicated labor. Every birthing story matters, and so does your mental health throughout it.
“My birth didn’t go how I hoped, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“Leaving my baby in the NICU broke something inside me.”
“No one listened to me—I felt invisible during my own birth.”
“I know the C-section saved us, but I still feel like my body failed me.”
Let's talk about birth and mental health
Giving birth can be transformative—and it can also be disorienting, physically intense, and emotionally complex. Some people leave birth feeling empowered, while others leave feeling grief, fear, or confusion. All of those experiences are valid.
Up to 45% of
birthing people describe their birth experience as traumatic
1
Roughly 1 in 3
report feeling out of control or frightened during labor
2
Birth-related trauma can increase the risk for postpartum anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and can affect bonding and recovery in the weeks and months that follow.
Up to 3 in 4 NICU parents report high stress, with over half experiencing depression or anxiety—much more than parents of healthy newborns.
3
PTSD after childbirth is often mistaken for postpartum depression or adjustment issues, leading to delays in accurate diagnosis and effective care.
4
When the Plan Shifts
Not every birth follows the plan. Emergency cesareans, unexpected interventions, or traumatic deliveries can leave emotional marks that linger long after physical healing.
Birth Psychiatry helps process these moments with compassion and support.
The Quiet Home
When your baby needs intensive care, the start of parenthood can feel overwhelming and uncertain. We’re here to support you through the shock, grief, and complexity of this unexpected beginning.
Tears, Not Joy
Sometimes the moments after birth aren’t filled with celebration—they’re filled with numbness, sadness, or fear.
If you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unlike yourself, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.
What You Felt
Matters
Birth trauma is defined by how it felt—not just what happened. If your experience was overwhelming or hard to name, it’s real. We’re here to listen and support your healing.
When the Connection isn’t Instant
Not everyone feels instantly connected after birth—and that’s okay. Exhaustion, trauma, or complications can delay bonding. If you feel distant or unsure, you’re not alone. We’re here with compassion, not judgment.
Whether you’re navigating overwhelming emotions, feeling disconnected from your baby, grieving how your birth unfolded, or trying to make sense of it all—you are not alone, and it’s not your fault.
Birth Psychiatry offers compassionate care that honors your experience, supports your healing, and helps you feel grounded again.
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