You matter: Mental Wellbeing during pregnancy
Today, I’m sharing about the importance of women's mental health when it comes to fertility, pregnancy and postpartum health, and being your own advocate.
You see that picture above? That’s me about a year ago when I was 5 months pregnant with my first child. I’m smiling because I was genuinely pumped about the human that was going to be joining my husband and I. But this photo doesn’t tell you the whole story.
When we decided to start trying and I found out I was pregnant, excited was just one of the many emotions. After excitement, it quickly turned to "oh shit, now what," which then turned to panic, stress, anxiety, and ambivalence. I remember feeling like excitement and happiness were the only acceptable emotions I was allowed to display. And, frankly, that was bullshit.
-
I am the 1 in 5 women that have a mental health condition in the form of ADD which manifests into panic attacks and immobilizing anxiety. I take medication daily to help me thrive and it works. It's just one of the many coping mechanisms I have in place, but it is the missing piece to my mental health puzzle. Period. End of discussion there.
After disclosing my pregnancy to my first psychiatrist, I was told that I would not be treated for my anxiety any longer because "the baby didn't have anxiety". I promptly hung up on this person. I then sought a second psychiatrist who was willing to work with me but then pulled out because the practice would not treat pregnant women. At this point my medication was running low, I started rationing and my anxiety and stress levels went through the roof. It was difficult to do my job, concentrate, sleep, or cope.
Why did I no longer matter outside of pregnancy? I am the one taking care of this baby at the moment. Did my ability to care for myself and therefore this pregnancy not factor into the equation here? I had to reach out for help and get my support team together ASAP or else things were not going to go well for me or this baby.
I am lucky. I know how to advocate for myself and I have every benefit of privilege that comes with money, education, good health insurance, and being white.
I spoke with my OB, my primary care physician, my therapist, and Women’s Mental Health Psychiatrist, Pooja Lakshmin, MD, who I am lucky enough to personally.
Dr. Lakshmin is leading the way in educating women at any stage of pregnancy from preconception to postpartum on the risks of PMAD (perinatal mood and anxiety disorder) and associated strategies for prevention/getting help.
One of the best things I did during that time was sign up for a course she was offering. She referred me to The Motherhood Center here in NYC and I was able to enlist providers that would LISTEN to me and treat me as an individual. Reaching out for help was one of the best things I did for myself and my family.
-
Please know that your mental health and wellbeing is important. It matters. YOU MATTER. That goes for everyone. Your emotions are valid. Always. YOU DESERVE TO FEEL GOOD IN YOUR BODY. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR BIOLOGICAL HEALTH. No matter where you are on your fertility journey, you as an individual matter.
If you are looking for support in healing your mental and emotional surrounding your TTC or pregnancy journey, I highly recommend Pooja Lakshmin, MD and The Motherhood Center. And if you are looking for support in healing your body from burnout and optimizing your fertility with nutrition and self care, I encourage you to check out my coaching programs. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or are interested in learning more about my program.
