Postpartum Anxiety
After the baby arrives, everyone talks about the joy and exhaustion that comes with parenting. But what if you have worries that just don’t stop? What if they multiply, spiraling into worst-case scenarios and heart-pounding panic over your baby’s every breath? As a therapist, I’ve sat with many new parents who say, “No one told me it could feel like this.” If that’s you, you’re not alone and there’s help.
What Is Postpartum Anxiety?
While postpartum depression often gets the spotlight, postpartum anxiety (PPA) is just as real and far more common than many realize. Some studies suggest that up to 1 in 5 new mothers experience significant anxiety after childbirth, sometimes alongside depression, sometimes on its own. And yes, it can also affect fathers and non-birthing partners.
Postpartum anxiety isn’t simply “new mom nerves.” It’s a persistent and overwhelming sense of fear, worry, or dread that interferes with daily life and makes it hard to enjoy those early months with your baby.
Common Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Every parent worries, but in postpartum anxiety, those worries become intense and unrelenting. Here are symptoms I often hear clients describe:
Racing thoughts – “What if the baby stops breathing?” “What if I drop her?” “What if I’m not bonding enough?”
Physical symptoms – heart palpitations, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping even when the baby is asleep, nausea.
Hypervigilance – constantly checking on the baby, avoiding leaving the baby with anyone else, scanning for danger.
Irritability or restlessness – feeling on edge, easily startled, unable to sit still.
Intrusive thoughts – unwanted mental images or fears of harm coming to the baby (sometimes even by the parent’s own hand), which can feel terrifying and shameful.
It’s important to note: intrusive thoughts are common in postpartum anxiety and do not mean a parent wants to harm their child. These thoughts are distressing precisely because they are unwanted.
What Causes Postpartum Anxiety?
There’s no single cause, but postpartum anxiety is often the result of a perfect storm of factors:
Hormonal fluctuations after birth
Sleep deprivation
Past history of anxiety or trauma
Pressure to be a “perfect” parent
Lack of social support
Treatment Options That Help
The good news is postpartum anxiety is highly treatable. The most effective therapies include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify anxious thought patterns and challenge the beliefs that fuel them. For example, a mom who believes, “If I don’t check the baby every five minutes, something terrible will happen,” might work on building tolerance for uncertainty and learning to trust her instincts again.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is especially helpful for intrusive thoughts or postpartum OCD. This involves gradually facing anxiety triggers and resisting the urge to neutralize them with compulsive behaviors.
What I Tell My Clients
You’re not failing. You’re adjusting to a life-altering, beautiful, and often overwhelming reality. The fears you’re experiencing are symptoms, not truths. You’re not a bad parent for having anxious thoughts. You’re a human going through a massive change.
And most importantly: you can feel better. With the right tools, support, and sometimes a bit of time, the clouds do clear. Postpartum anxiety often hides in plain sight. Many parents don’t speak up because they’re afraid of being judged or misunderstood. But as a therapist, I can tell you that there is so much strength in reaching out. You deserve support, not silence. You deserve care, not shame. Reach out today to schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation.