5 Powerful Truths About Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

There are many ways I could begin talking about postpartum depression and anxiety — however, I think the most valuable place to start is with this truth:

It is time to normalize a mother’s struggles post-birth, during that sacred 4th trimester when everything in her life has been turned upside down.

If you, friend, have ever walked through postpartum depression and/or anxiety in any capacity, I want to offer you so much love and understanding — from one mama to another. Nothing is wrong with you. It is okay to struggle. You will make it through. And you are a wonderful mother regardless of whatever battle you’re fighting within.

Why We Need to Normalize Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Let’s start with a simple example. Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach when doing something outside your normal routine — flying, moving, getting married, starting a new job, or launching a business? That anxious feeling is a very natural human response to encountering something new and unfamiliar.

It is my personal belief that anxiety — and sometimes depression — can be a completely normal reaction when we’re stepping into the unknown. Emotions themselves aren’t the problem. What matters is what we do with them, and we’ll get to that.

So, let’s talk specifically about postpartum depression and anxiety.

The hormonal journey from pregnancy to birth to postpartum is unlike anything else a woman’s body experiences. At the moment of birth, there is a massive crash in estrogen and progesterone, while oxytocin and prolactin surge to encourage milk production and bonding. Cortisol and hCG also drop significantly — contributing to what’s commonly known as the “baby blues.” These dramatic hormonal shifts cause significant physical and emotional changes, and they happen to every postpartum mother.

That natural dip in a woman’s emotional state after birth is not something she caused. It’s simply what her body is going through.

And then add to that the sheer newness of becoming a mother. Especially for first-time mamas — every single day is filled with learning, adjusting, and navigating something she’s never done before. It makes complete sense that postpartum depression and anxiety can emerge in this season.

For me, entering motherhood in 2020 with our first son was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Nothing prepared me for being needed 24/7. Breastfeeding was incredibly difficult. Nourishing my body well felt impossible. Sleep deprivation stretched on for months. My husband and I had zero local family support, and layered on top of all of that — COVID. No wonder I struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety.

I wish I had known so much more back then. But I’ve come to peace with this truth: I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I did my best. I made it through. And now I’m here to help you do the same.

This is exactly why we must normalize postpartum depression and anxiety. Give yourself permission to say:

• “I’m okay and this will pass.”
• “It’s okay to feel anxious right now. I am learning so much in this season!”
• “It’s okay to feel low… my body is healing and adjusting after major hormonal changes.”

What Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Look Like

Every mother experiences postpartum depression and anxiety a little differently — and yet there are common threads that connect us all. Here’s a breakdown of how PPD and PPA can manifest:

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

• Mood & Emotional Changes: Intense irritability, anger, hopelessness, guilt, or feelings of worthlessness
• Bonding Difficulties: Feeling detached from your baby or having little interest in your newborn
• Physical Symptoms: Severe fatigue, insomnia or oversleeping, changes in appetite, headaches
• Cognitive Issues: Trouble concentrating, difficulty making decisions, persistent brain fog
• Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, family, and activities you once enjoyed

Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)

• Emotional & Mental: Constant, uncontrollable worry (“what if” thinking), racing thoughts, intense dread, irritability
• Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted, disturbing images or thoughts about your baby being harmed — these cause distress but are not acted upon
• Physical Symptoms: Racing heart, dizziness, nausea, hot flashes, trembling, shortness of breath
• Behavioral Changes: Over-checking on the baby, avoiding people or places, inability to rest even when exhausted

What To Do When You’re Struggling with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

This is where I want to share what I wish I had known as a first-time mom. Start by honestly answering these questions — they can reveal a lot about what you’re experiencing and where you need support:

1. Are you eating 3 full, nourishing meals per day plus snacks when hungry?
2. Are you hydrating consistently with water and electrolytes? (my fav is LMNT)
3. Do you have a support system around you — family, friends, or church community?
4. Are you getting fresh air and sunshine each day?
5. Have you tried journaling what you’re feeling and experiencing?
6. Are you a working mother trying to juggle too much at once?
7. Have you talked to someone you trust about how you’re feeling?
8. Have you spoken with your doctor or midwife about your symptoms?

For me, the root of my postpartum depression and anxiety was the lack of local family support. My husband and I were navigating new parenthood completely alone. If we’d had someone to call — someone to come over when we needed a break — my experience would have been so different. Digging into questions like these can reveal your own “why” and give you a starting point for healing.

* Please note: This is NOT medical advice. Some cases of postpartum depression and anxiety are caused by abnormal hormonal imbalances that require medical attention. Please talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re concerned about your symptoms.

How to Overcome Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Naturally

I believe there is a time and place for medication. But when it comes to postpartum depression and anxiety, I don’t believe medication should be the first solution. It often addresses the surface without touching the deeper roots.

What’s far more effective is identifying the “why” — and then working to lighten your load so you can actually enjoy motherhood, even in all its beautiful mess.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to talk to your spouse, a trusted friend, a family member, or a counselor. There is absolutely NO shame in needing help. None. You are not superwoman. You’re doing something you’ve never done before, learning it one day at a time. And no one — not a single person — is looking at you expecting you to have it all together.

Give yourself grace. Ask for help. In my own life, the breakthrough I desperately needed came when I was finally honest with myself and a few people around me. Voicing my struggles out loud was the beginning of my healing.

Go back to those questions above. Answer them honestly. Let them be your guide to understanding what areas need support. And remember — always, one day at a time.

If you need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to support you. ✉ hope@noblemotherhood.com

Blessings, friend,

Hope

Noble Motherhood