International Baby Whisperer
EXPERT NEWBORN CARE
BY GABRIELLE KERSON
What Is Matrescence?
Matrescence is the physical, emotional, hormonal, psychological, and identity transformation that occurs when someone becomes a mother.
Much like adolescence, matrescence reshapes nearly every aspect of life. Understanding this transition helps many parents realize that they are not failing—they are changing.
Recognizing matrescence allows us to approach new parenthood with greater compassion, realistic expectations, and support.
Meet Dr. Alexandra Sacks
Dr. Alexandra Sacks, MD
Reproductive Psychiatrist
Dr. Alexandra Sacks is a pioneering reproductive psychiatrist whose work has brought the concept of matrescence into the global conversation. Through her clinical practice, writing, and public talks, she helps parents understand the emotional and identity shifts of new parenthood so they can feel less alone, less ashamed, and more supported.
Baby Blues
- Begins 2–3 days after birth
- Very common
- Mood swings
- Tearfulness
- Irritability
- Emotional sensitivity
- Usually resolves within two weeks
If your symptoms are intense, last longer than two weeks, or interfere with daily life, please reach out to your healthcare provider or a qualified mental health professional.
Postpartum Depression
- Can begin anytime during the first year
- Persistent sadness
- Loss of interest or joy
- Difficulty bonding with baby
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- May require professional treatment
Postpartum Anxiety
Many new parents don't experience depression—they experience anxiety.
Postpartum anxiety can feel like a mind that never rests. Parents may find themselves constantly checking on their baby, imagining worst-case scenarios, feeling unable to relax, or carrying a persistent sense that something is about to go wrong.
These feelings are common, treatable, and deserving of support. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Postpartum OCD)
Postpartum OCD is one of the most misunderstood perinatal mood disorders. Parents experiencing postpartum OCD often have unwanted, intrusive thoughts that feel frightening, disturbing, or completely out of character.
These thoughts are not wishes or intentions—they are symptoms of anxiety. Parents with postpartum OCD are often deeply distressed by them and may avoid certain situations or develop rituals in an attempt to reduce their anxiety.
Experiencing intrusive thoughts does not mean someone is dangerous or a bad parent. With appropriate treatment and support, postpartum OCD is highly treatable, and recovery is possible.
Intrusive thoughts are common during the postpartum period. If these thoughts become persistent, frightening, or interfere with daily life, reaching out to a qualified mental health professional can make a meaningful difference.
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Postpartum PTSD)
For some parents, childbirth or the early postpartum period can be experienced as traumatic. This may follow a difficult birth, an emergency cesarean, unexpected medical complications, a NICU stay, a frightening loss of control, or other deeply distressing experiences.
Postpartum PTSD may include intrusive memories, nightmares, flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the birth or hospital, feeling constantly on guard, or experiencing intense emotional or physical reactions when recalling what happened.
Healing does not require forgetting. With compassionate, trauma-informed care, many parents find that they can process their experience, reconnect with themselves, and move forward with confidence and hope.
Every birth story matters. If your experience continues to feel overwhelming long after delivery, you deserve support from professionals who understand birth trauma and postpartum recovery.
When Should You Reach Out for Help?
The transition into parenthood can be joyful, overwhelming, exhausting, and emotional—all at the same time. Every parent's experience is unique, and there is no "right" amount of struggle.
If your emotions begin to interfere with your ability to enjoy daily life, care for yourself, connect with your baby, or feel like yourself again, it's time to reach out. You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable.
Signs It's Time to Seek Additional Support
- Persistent sadness or frequent crying
- Constant worry or racing thoughts
- Feeling numb or emotionally disconnected
- Difficulty sleeping even when your baby is asleep
- Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Feeling overwhelmed most of the day
- Intrusive or frightening thoughts that won't go away
- Feeling disconnected from your baby
- Panic attacks or intense anxiety
- Feeling hopeless, trapped, or unlike yourself
"You don't have to experience every symptom—or experience them every day—to deserve support."
Finding the Right Support
Healing looks different for every family. There is no single path through the postpartum period, and many parents benefit from building a team of support that meets their unique needs.
Whether you're looking for someone to listen, practical strategies, medical care, or community, reaching out is an investment in both your well-being and your family's.
Mental Health Therapists
Licensed therapists can provide counseling, coping strategies, and evidence-based treatments for postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and adjustment to parenthood.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing perinatal mood disorders and, when appropriate, prescribing medication that can often be safely used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Support Groups
Many parents find comfort in talking with others who understand what they're experiencing. Peer support can reduce isolation and remind families that they are not alone.
Lactation Consultants
Feeding challenges and emotional well-being are often closely connected. An experienced lactation consultant can help reduce stress and support feeding goals.
Your Medical Team
Your obstetric provider, midwife, primary care physician, pediatrician, or family doctor can all be important partners in recognizing symptoms and helping you access appropriate care.
Trusted Organizations & Resources
Finding reliable information during the postpartum period can feel overwhelming. The organizations below are internationally respected for their evidence-based education, compassionate support, and commitment to helping parents navigate pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood.
Whether you're looking for educational articles, provider directories, support groups, or crisis resources, these organizations are an excellent place to begin.
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
The leading international organization dedicated to perinatal mental health, offering education, support groups, provider directories, and specialized resources for families and professionals.
Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance
A non-profit organization focused on promoting maternal mental health through national advocacy, education, and public policy change.
A global awareness initiative of Postpartum Support International (PSI), helping families recognize that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common, treatable, and deserving of compassionate support.
The national symbol for maternal mental health awareness, working to combat stigma and provide resources for those struggling with mood and anxiety disorders.
March of Dimes
A leader in mother and baby health, providing educational resources on prenatal health, postpartum recovery, and navigating medical complications.
Postpartum Progress Archive
Postpartum Progress was founded by Katherine Stone and remains one of the most influential collections of personal stories and educational writing about postpartum mental health. While the original organization has evolved, its archived articles continue to be an important historical resource. (Postpartum Support International (PSI))
MotherToBaby
The nation's leading authority and resource of evidence-based information on the safety of medications and other exposures during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Books We Recommend
The books below are among the most trusted resources in perinatal mental health. Together, they offer reassurance, practical guidance, and evidence-based information for parents navigating the emotional transition into parenthood.
Whether you're seeking to better understand your own experience or support someone you love, these books provide compassionate, thoughtful perspectives from leaders in the field.
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
Karen Kleiman
An approachable, beautifully illustrated book that normalizes intrusive thoughts and postpartum emotional struggles. It offers reassurance, practical coping strategies, and hope for parents who may feel isolated by their experiences.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "This is one of the most validating books I know for parents experiencing intrusive thoughts. It helps replace fear with understanding and reminds families that they are not alone."
Resources
What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood
Alexandra Sacks, MD & Catherine Birndorf, MD
A compassionate guide to the emotional transition into parenthood, introducing the concept of matrescence and helping parents understand the many emotional changes that accompany becoming a mother.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "Every new parent deserves language for what they're experiencing. This book offers exactly that—with warmth, science, and tremendous compassion."
Resources
This Isn't What I Expected
Karen Kleiman & Valerie Raskin, MD
A classic resource on postpartum depression and anxiety that combines clinical expertise with practical advice, helping parents recognize symptoms and understand that effective treatment is available.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "This has been one of the foundational books in postpartum mental health for decades. It's informative without being overwhelming."
Resources
The Postpartum Husband
Karen Kleiman
Written specifically for partners, this book explains how postpartum mood disorders affect the entire family and offers practical guidance for providing meaningful support.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "Partners often want to help but don't know how. This book gives them the understanding and confidence to become an invaluable source of support."
Resources
Which Book Is Right for You?
If you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious...
Start with:
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
A gentle, reassuring place to begin if intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or overwhelming emotions are making the transition to parenthood feel frightening.
If you're trying to understand why motherhood feels so different...
Start with:
What No One Tells You
An excellent introduction to matrescence and the emotional transition into becoming a parent.
If you're wondering whether what you're experiencing is postpartum depression or anxiety...
Start with:
This Isn't What I Expected
A trusted classic that helps parents recognize symptoms, understand treatment options, and realize they are not alone.
If you're supporting someone you love...
Start with:
The Postpartum Husband
A compassionate guide for partners, grandparents, and loved ones who want practical ways to provide meaningful support.
Every family's journey is different. These recommendations are simply a starting place, and many parents find value in reading more than one of these trusted resources.
How to Find the Right Therapist
Finding the right therapist is a little like finding the right pediatrician or newborn care specialist—it should feel like a relationship built on trust, expertise, and genuine understanding.
Many excellent therapists provide postpartum support, but additional training in perinatal mental health can make a meaningful difference. Knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident as you begin your search.
Look for Specialized Training
Therapists who have completed additional education in perinatal mental health understand the unique emotional, physical, and relational changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Ask About Their Experience
It's perfectly appropriate to ask how often a therapist works with postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma, grief, or infant loss. Experience matters.
The Right Fit Matters
A therapist can be highly qualified and still not be the right fit for you. Feeling safe, respected, and understood is one of the strongest predictors of a successful therapeutic relationship.
Telehealth Is an Excellent Option
Many outstanding perinatal mental health professionals now offer secure virtual appointments, making specialized care available even if there isn't an expert in your local community.
It's Okay to Change Therapists
If you don't feel comfortable after a few sessions, it's okay to keep looking. Finding someone who truly understands your experience is worth the effort.
You deserve a therapist who understands both mental health and the unique transition into parenthood. Don't hesitate to ask questions before scheduling your first appointment.
Understanding Mental Health Credentials
Searching for a therapist can feel overwhelming when every profile is filled with unfamiliar initials. The good news is that many different professionals provide excellent postpartum care. Understanding their training can help you choose the support that's right for you.
The credentials below are among the most common professionals you may encounter while searching for postpartum mental health care.
PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certified)
A PMH-C is a licensed healthcare professional who has completed additional certification in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. This credential indicates specialized education in pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, pregnancy loss, and related mental health concerns.
Best For: Parents looking for a provider with advanced training specifically focused on the perinatal period.
Psychiatrist (MD or DO)
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medications, and help determine whether medication may be beneficial during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Best For: Parents who may benefit from medication evaluation or management.
Psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
Psychologists specialize in assessment and therapy. Many provide evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care.
Best For: Parents seeking psychotherapy, psychological testing, or specialized therapeutic approaches.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
LCSWs provide counseling while also understanding how family systems, community resources, finances, and life circumstances influence mental health.
Best For: Parents looking for therapy combined with practical support and resource navigation.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC or LPCC)
Professional counselors help individuals and families navigate anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships, and stress using a variety of therapeutic approaches.
Best For: Parents seeking regular counseling and emotional support.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
LMFTs specialize in relationships, communication, parenting, and family dynamics. They frequently work with couples adjusting to the transition into parenthood.
Best For: Couples, co-parents, and families navigating relationship changes after welcoming a baby.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) or OB Provider
Many midwives and obstetric providers routinely screen for postpartum mood disorders and can provide referrals to qualified mental health professionals as part of comprehensive postpartum care.
Best For: Parents looking for an excellent starting point if they are unsure where to seek help first.
No single credential is "best." The most important factors are finding someone who is experienced in perinatal mental health and with whom you feel safe, respected, and understood.
Find a Perinatal Mental Health Professional
You don't have to search alone. These trusted national organizations maintain searchable directories of professionals with experience in pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, pregnancy loss, and early parenthood.
If you don't find the right provider immediately, don't be discouraged. Finding the right therapeutic relationship is worth taking the time to do well.
Postpartum Support International Provider Directory
Search for therapists, psychiatrists, support groups, and other professionals with specialized training in perinatal mental health.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "This is my first recommendation because it allows families to search specifically for providers with advanced perinatal mental health expertise."
Resources
Provider Directory
Official Website
Psychology Today Therapist Finder
One of the largest therapist directories available, with filters for postpartum concerns, insurance, telehealth, specialties, and location.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It: "This is an excellent place to begin if you're looking for local providers or need to search by insurance or availability."
Resources
Therapist Finder
Additional therapist directories and provider resources are available throughout Gabrielle's Library and will continue to be added over time.
Helplines and Support
When you need guidance or local connections, reaching out to a dedicated helpline can be the first step toward finding the specific care and community you deserve.
Connecting with others who truly understand the perinatal journey is a powerful part of healing. These facilitated groups provide a safe space to share experiences, find community, and realize that you are not alone.
Helpline Resource
Postpartum Support International HelpLine
What It Is
The PSI HelpLine connects parents with trained volunteers who can provide encouragement, information, and referrals to local resources. While it is not a crisis line, it is an excellent starting point for families who are unsure where to turn for help.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It
Asking for help can be the hardest first step. The PSI HelpLine offers compassionate guidance and can connect families with trusted resources, support groups, and professionals in their own communities.
Services
- Resource Referrals
- Information and Education
- Local Provider Connections
- Support Group Information
- Volunteer Support
Best For
Parents who aren't sure where to begin, are looking for local resources, or need help finding appropriate support.
Resources
PSI HelpLine
Official Website
Local Resources
The PSI HelpLine is not an emergency or crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health emergency, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.
Resource Organization
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
What It Is
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support is a national nonprofit organization that provides compassionate support for families who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, neonatal loss, or infant loss. In addition to supporting grieving parents, Share offers resources for siblings, grandparents, and extended family members, recognizing that the loss of a baby affects an entire community of loved ones.
Why Gabrielle Recommends It
Grief after the loss of a baby is deeply personal, and no one should have to carry it alone. Share provides compassionate support, practical resources, and a community that understands the many forms pregnancy and infant loss can take.
Services
- Peer Support Groups
- Online Communities
- Memorial Events
- Educational Resources
- Bereavement Support
- Resources for Families and Friends
Best For
Families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, infant loss, or anyone supporting a loved one through pregnancy or infant loss.
Resources
Official Website
Support Groups
Educational Resources
Memorial Events
Grief has no timeline. Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, your experience matters, and support is available whenever you are ready.
Questions to Ask a Potential Therapist
Many therapists offer a brief consultation before your first appointment. This conversation is an opportunity to ask questions, learn about their experience, and decide whether they feel like the right fit for you.
You don't need to ask every question below. Choose the ones that matter most to you, and remember that you are interviewing them just as much as they are getting to know you.
Do you have experience working with postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, or birth trauma?
Why It Matters: Experience with perinatal mental health helps therapists recognize the unique challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period and tailor treatment accordingly.
Listen For: Specific examples of their experience, specialized training, or a PMH-C certification.
What approaches or therapies do you typically use?
Why It Matters: Different therapists use different evidence-based approaches. Understanding their style can help you decide whether it matches your needs and preferences.
Listen For: Clear explanations of approaches such as CBT, ACT, EMDR, interpersonal therapy, or other evidence-based methods.
How do you involve partners or family members, if appropriate?
Why It Matters: Some parents benefit from including a partner or trusted family member in part of the therapeutic process, especially during major life transitions.
Listen For: A collaborative approach that respects your preferences and boundaries.
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
Why It Matters: Virtual appointments can make therapy much more accessible during the newborn months when leaving home may feel difficult.
Listen For: Flexible scheduling and a willingness to adapt to the realities of caring for a newborn.
What should I expect during our first few sessions?
Why It Matters: Knowing what the process looks like can ease anxiety and help you feel more prepared for your first appointment.
Listen For: A thoughtful explanation that emphasizes collaboration rather than judgment.
How will we know whether therapy is helping?
Why It Matters: A good therapist should be able to explain how you'll evaluate progress together and adjust your care as your needs evolve.
Listen For: A partnership focused on your goals, regular check-ins, and openness to adjusting the treatment plan.
The best therapeutic relationship is one in which you feel heard, respected, safe, and hopeful. Trust your instincts—you deserve care that feels like the right fit.