Postpartum Resource: Postpartum Support International
The postpartum period begins after childbirth and is considered to end within the first year. However, I have clients who experience postpartum mood symptoms for up to 2 years. I also see clients who experience feelings of depression and anxiety during their pregnancy. The term postpartum depression is limiting in the way that many people do not recognize how prevalent anxiety is as well as the need for support during pregnancy.
Childbirth is a major life change. Within a few hours or a few days after childbirth, most new birthing parents experience mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, moments of joy and happiness followed by spells of sadness and crying.
The "baby blues" usually begin within the first 2 to 3 days after delivery and can last up to two weeks. About 75% of women experience similar symptoms. Some moms progress into a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression and anxiety. If you or a loved one experience these types of symptoms after two weeks, it is a good idea to reach out for support.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) provides information and resources to support perinatal mental health. PSI has members all over the world, including coordinators across the United States and 36 additional countries.
Postpartum Support International provides direct support to families including: online support groups, a helpline, peer support and the opportunity to chat with an expert. PSI also provides training and certification for professionals.
Depression and anxiety are very common during pregnancy and postpartum and are treatable. Here are some of the online support groups PSI offers to support the emotional changes during this time of transition. You can click here to register for one of their support groups.
You may not be sure which group is right for you or you may not be ready to share your experience in a group setting.
You are not alone.
Support for Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Adoptive and Foster Parents Support for the Early Years
This support group is specifically designed for adoptive or foster parents who have a child from birth to three years living in their home. As a caregiver for an infant or toddler, it is common to experience feelings of anxiety, depression, overwhelm and stress. At times, it can be challenging to navigate the unique struggles associated with this role. This support group offers a safe and understanding space for participants to connect with other parents who are in similar situations.
Bipolar Support for Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Moms and Birthing People
This perinatal (pregnancy & postpartum) bipolar support group for moms and birthing people helps those navigating symptoms of bipolar disorder which includes depression and mania. This group is led by PSI-trained support group leaders who have personal and professional experience with bipolar disorder. They understand the emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum as a mom or birthing person living with bipolar disorder. No official diagnosis is necessary to attend the group.
Birth Moms Support Group
The Birth Moms Support Group is intended for women who are considering adoption or have placed a child for adoption. Whether your child was born recently or years ago you are welcome to join us for support.
Black Moms Connect
This group is for anyone pregnant or postpartum (up to two years) and identifies as Black or African-American. Mothers and birthing people can connect, discuss their experiences, and learn helpful tools and resources. Pregnant and postpartum moms with a biological connection to the African diaspora (African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, Afro-Latin Americans, Black Canadians, etc.) are also welcome.
Birth Trauma Support
This group is for any birthing person who has experienced trauma (mental and/or physical) during childbirth. Led by trained peer facilitators, this group focuses on the effects of birth trauma, coping skills, and connecting with others. No formal diagnosis for birth trauma is needed to join this group. You can be at any point post-delivery, from 1-week to many years. This group is not for partners or non-birthing parents or those who experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.
Birth Trauma Support for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Birthers
This group is for any birthing person who has experienced trauma (mental and/or physical) during childbirth. Led by trained peer facilitators, this group is for any Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) who has experienced trauma (mental and/or physical) during childbirth. This includes feeling unsupported during childbirth or grieving the birth experience. BIPOC birthers can also experience trauma related to racism, discrimination, oppression, and specific cultural views and beliefs. No formal diagnosis for birth trauma is needed to join this group. You can be at any point post-delivery, from 1-week to many years. This group is not for partners or non-birthing parents or those who experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.
Dads Support Group
This online group brings together dads, who have newborns up to toddlers. Participants are able to share their experiences with each other and learn helpful tools for raising children.
Military Moms Perinatal Mood Support Group
This online group is for military spouses, active-duty personnel, and veteran moms who want to talk about their experiences, and learn helpful tools. This group is specifically led by trained peer facilitators who understand the unique stress of military family life.
Mental Health Support for Special Needs and Medically Fragile Parenting
This peer support group is for parents raising a child with medical complications or special needs. This group is for parents from birth to four years postpartum. Open to parents from birth to four years postpartum.
Mindfulness for Pregnant and Postpartum Parents
PSI-trained facilitators help participants mindfully approach pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood. Each 60-minute session begins with an overview of mindfulness, then moves to practicing mindfulness (breath work, meditation, journaling), and ends with self reflection and sharing.
NICU Parents
This online NICU group is intended for parents of babies who are currently or formerly in the NICU. Whether your baby is currently in the NICU or returned home, this NICU parents support group provides parents with helpful tools for coping with this stressful experience.
Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) Mood Support for Moms
This online perinatal support group helps moms connect and compare their experiences while learning helpful tools for coping with postpartum depression, anxiety, and general stress.
Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) Mood Support for Parents
This online perinatal support group helps parents connect and compare their experiences while learning helpful tools for coping with postpartum depression, anxiety, and general stress. This group is intended for parents of all genders. Single or partnered parents, all are welcome.
Perinatal Mood Support for Returning Members Only
This online perinatal support group helps returning members connect and compare their experiences while learning helpful tools for coping with postpartum depression, anxiety, and general stress. This group is for participants who have attended perinatal mood support groups 3 times already.
Perinatal (Pregnancy & Postpartum) OCD Support for Moms
This online perinatal support group helps those dealing with symptoms of OCD, including repetitive compulsions, intrusive thoughts, and various obsessions and compulsions. You do not have to have an official diagnosis to attend the group.
Perinatal Support for Latinx Moms and Birthing People
This group is for anyone who is pregnant or postpartum (up to two years) and identifies as Latina, Latinx, or Latino. All are welcome who have a familial connection to Latinx culture.
Perinatal Support for South Asian Moms
This group is for anyone who is pregnant or postpartum (up to two years) and identifies as South Asian or South Asian American. All are welcome who have a familial connection to South Asian culture including all pregnant and postpartum moms who have a biological, familial connection to South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, & Afghanistan) are welcome.
Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) Support for Moms
This online peer support group is for Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) survivors who are in recovery and no longer experiencing psychosis.
Pregnancy Mood Support Group
This online support group details the many emotions around pregnancy, the physical challenges of pregnancy, and the anxiety about childbirth or postpartum. This group is for pregnant people only.
Pregnant and Postpartum Parents of Multiples
The Pregnant and Postpartum Parents of Multiples support group is for parents of two or more babies who are gestational twins (born at the same time) OR foster/adoptive parents or caregivers with babies four months apart or less. It is led by trained PSI facilitators and parents of multiples from pregnancy up to two years postpartum are welcome.
Queer & Trans Parent Support Group
The Queer & Trans Parents Support Group is open to all members of the queer community who are expecting, adopting, and/or parenting babies up to 2 years.
Single Perinatal (Pregnancy and Postpartum) Parent Support
This support group is for perinatal single parents who are widowed, divorced, or never married or partnered with their co-parent, but they are caring for a baby (up to two years old) without a partner in their home.
Support for Parents of One to Four Year Old Children
This online support group is led by experienced group leaders and supports parents of one to four year old children. This group helps similar parents connect, talk about their experiences, and learn helpful tool. Open to all parents and primary caregivers, no matter the biological connection to the child.
Support for Parents of High Needs Babies
This group is for parents of “high need” newborns to 12-month-old babies. A “high needs baby” is a term used to describe babies who suffer from things like constant crying for several hours in a row, difficult to soothe to sleep, frustration when transitioning from one environment to another. Crying babies are welcome.
Support for Pregnancy and Infant Loss & Fertility Challenges
Black Moms in Loss Support Group
This online group helps bereaved mothers find support to help them cope with the pain of their loss of a pregnancy or infant. This group is focused around the unique nuances Black moms experience in miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility.
Early Pregnancy Loss Support for Moms
The Early Pregnancy Loss Support for Moms is an online group that connects mothers grieving the loss of their baby at 20 weeks or before. This group is led by PSI-trained facilitators and provides useful information and resources to help them cope with the pain of a lost pregnancy.
Fertility Challenges
This group helps women find support when facing fertility challenges.group. It is led by PSI-trained facilitators, each with their own personal experience of fertility challenges. It is intended for people who have been trying to conceive for 6 months or longer.
Parenting After Loss
This online group is for parents who have experienced pregnancy loss and also have living children. This could include having older children before the loss or having a baby since the loss. Trained peer facilitators create a safe space for bereaved parents to share their experiences and painful emotions.
Pregnancy After Loss Support
The Pregnancy After Loss online support group is led by PSI-trained facilitators, each with their own personal lived experience of loss. This group helps parents cope with the emotions of a pregnancy after early miscarriage, late miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss. This group is for individuals who are pregnant and not for those trying to conceive or beginning to discuss pregnancy.
Pregnancy After Stillbirth and Early Infant Loss
The Pregnancy After Stillbirth and Early Infant Loss online support group is led by PSI-trained facilitators, each with their own personal lived experience of stillbirth and early infant loss. This group helps parents cope with the emotions of a pregnancy after stillbirth and early infant loss. This group is for individuals who are pregnant and not for those trying to conceive or beginning to discuss pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support for Moms
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support for Moms online group is led by PSI-trained facilitators. This perinatal support group helps mothers that are grieving the loss of a baby either by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, early infant loss, or any type of pregnancy or infant loss.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support for Parents
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support for Parents online group is led by PSI-trained facilitators. This perinatal support group helps both parents that are grieving the loss of a baby either by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, early infant loss, or any type of pregnancy or infant loss.
Stillbirth and Infant Loss Support for Parents
The Stillbirth and Infant Loss Support for Parents online group is led by PSI-trained facilitators who have lived similar experiences. This perinatal support group helps both parents that are grieving the loss of a baby either by stillbirth or early infant loss.
Termination for Medical Reasons
The Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR) online support group is led by PSI-trained facilitators that provide non-judgmental support to bereaved mothers. This group is only for mothers and not intended for partners or fathers.
You can click here to register to learn more about Postpartum Support International support groups.
You may not be sure which group is right for you or you may not be ready to share your experience in a group setting.
You are not alone.
Please contact me and I can get you the help you need.