The Follow-Up: Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
6/15/202612 min
In this episode, Dr. Mona is joined by Chelsea and Kaitlin, the founders of Mama Psychologists, to unpack a crucial topic that many new mothers face: the difference between the "baby blues" and more serious perinatal mood disorders. Together, they challenge the misconception that postpartum anxiety and depression always look like crying on the floor. Instead, they discuss the subtle, real-world signs—like the inability to hand your baby to a loved one without a racing heart or a mental to-do list that won't shut off at 3:00 AM. The "Baby Blues" vs. Postpartum Disorders: While the baby blues are an incredibly common reaction to the massive hormonal shifts right after birth, symptoms that persist, worsen, or significantly disrupt daily functioning may signal postpartum anxiety or depression. Signs of Postpartum Depression: Key red flags include a persistent low mood, an inability to enjoy things you used to love, and struggling to meet basic needs like eating, drinking, or showering. Signs of Postpartum Anxiety: This often manifests as racing thoughts, an intrusive "worst-case scenario" mindset, physical agitation (like a racing heart or tension), and difficulty turning off your mind to rest, even when the baby is sleeping. The Timeline Myth: Postpartum mood disorders don't always appear in the early weeks; they can frequently emerge four months postpartum or even later. Seeking support is vital, no matter how much time has passed since giving birth. Breaking the Silence: Many moms suffer in silence due to guilt, shame, or fear of judgment. Finding a safe person to talk to is the first step toward healing because suffering quietly is not a badge of honor. Want more? Listen to the full, original episode. Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter! And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMona Amin· Host0:00
Welcome to The Follow-Up. [upbeat music] I'm Dr. Mona, your pediatrician and online mom friend, and this is where we revisit a past episode of the show in less time than it takes to convince yourself you're fine when you're really not, and I know you've been there. Speaking of which, are you actually fine as a mom? Because here's the thing. I have seen a lot of new moms in my office, and postpartum anxiety and depression doesn't always look like what you'd expect. They don't always look like crying on the floor. Sometimes they look like not being able to hand your baby to grandma without your heart racing. Sometimes they look like a to-do list that won't shut off at 3:00 a.m. Sometimes it looks like being so consumed with worst-case scenarios that you can't enjoy the moments you're in. And for so many moms, they chalk it up to just being tired, just being a worried mom, just adjusting. But when does just adjusting become something more? That's exactly what this episode is about. I sat down with Chelsea and Kaitlin, the founders of Mama Psychologists, and we get into the real difference between the postpartum blues and postpartum anxiety and depression, what the signs actually look like, and how to know when it's time to get support. Because suffering quietly is not a badge of honor, and you deserve to actually feel like yourself again. Download this episode, share it with a new mom in your life, and tag @thepedstalktalkpodcast, pedstalktalk, and mamapsychologists, because someone in your circle needs to hear this one.