“Is This Normal?” Understanding Postpartum Mental Health for New Moms

If you recently had a baby and found yourself wondering, “Is this normal?”—you are so not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I hear in my practice, often whispered with hesitation or tucked inside layers of guilt.

You might feel emotional, anxious, numb, on edge—or just not quite like yourself. You might be wondering: is this just part of being a new mom... or is it something more?

Let’s talk about it. 

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Meet the Author

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Dr. Jasmine Sawhne is a board-certified psychiatrist with a specialty in women’s mental health, including pregnancy and postpartum care. She runs a thriving private practice serving patients throughout California and New York, offering thoughtful, personalized treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, and the unique identity shifts that come with motherhood. As a mom of two herself, as well as a fierce advocate for compassionate care, Dr. Jasmine Sawhne blends clinical expertise with lived experience to help women feel seen, supported, and empowered. Learn more about Dr. Jasmine.

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The Emotional Rollercoaster of New Motherhood

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Having a baby is a massive life transition—body, mind, and soul. You're recovering physically, adjusting emotionally, and learning to care for a tiny human who (surprise!) doesn’t come with a manual.

It’s completely normal to feel a mix of joy, overwhelm, confusion, and exhaustion. Common early experiences in the first couple weeks can include:

• Crying more than usual
  
• Worrying if you're doing everything "right"
  
• Feeling raw or disconnected
  
• Wondering if you’re bonding “enough”
  
  

These feelings often ebb and flow and may improve with rest, support, and time. But if they linger or get heavier... that’s your cue to look a little deeper.

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Baby Blues vs. Something More

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The “baby blues” are very common—up to 80% of new moms experience them. They typically:

• Start a few days after birth (around day 3–5)
  
• Peak and fade within two weeks
  
• Come with mood swings, irritability, and anxiety
  
  

It is thought to be related to hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the emotional adjustment to new motherhood. It’s a tough stretch, but the blues should not last past the two-week mark. If they do, we may be looking at something else—like postpartum depression or anxiety.

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Postpartum Depression (PPD)

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This is more than just feeling emotional or tired. Signs of PPD include:

• Persistent sadness, numbness, or lack of joy
  
• Difficulty bonding with baby
  
• Appetite or sleep disruptions (beyond the newborn norm)
  
• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
  
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby (seek immediate help)
  
  

PPD can start anytime in the first year, not just right after birth. And most importantly—it is treatable. Getting support doesn’t mean you’re broken or ungrateful. It means you’re human.

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Postpartum Anxiety (PPA)

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Unlike PPD, you might not feel sad at all. Instead, you may feel constantly on edge. Common signs:

• Racing thoughts
  
• Constant worry, especially about baby’s safety
  
• Trouble sleeping (even when baby is asleep)
  
• Physical symptoms like nausea, rapid heartbeat, or tight chest
  
  

This isn’t “just being a careful mom.” It’s anxiety—and it deserves care. It’s consuming and exhausting, like you can’t relax or “turn off your brain”. It is also very much treatable.

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Postpartum OCD: What It Is (and Isn’t)

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Postpartum OCD (yes, it’s a thing): This one is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed because moms are afraid to talk about it. It can look like:

• Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (e.g., fears of accidentally hurting the baby)
  
• Repetitive behaviors (e.g., checking baby’s breathing again and again)
  
• Avoidance of certain tasks or situations out of fear

If this is you, know this: these thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they’re disturbing because they go against your values. Having them doesn’t mean you’ll act on them. It means your brain is stuck in a loop, and it needs support to get out of it.

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What To Do If This Sounds Like You

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First, take a breath. This is hard, but you’re not alone, and there is help. Here’s what you can do:

• Talk to someone. Partner, friend, OB, or pediatrician—just saying it out loud matters.
  
• Ask for a screening. Quick, simple, and can help guide next steps. Many OB and pediatrician clinics support these.
  
• Reach out to a perinatal-trained therapist or psychiatrist. This matters—specific training makes a difference.
  
• Explore all support options. Therapy, groups, lifestyle tweaks, medication if needed (yes, there are safe options while breastfeeding).
  
• Don’t wait. You deserve more than to just “get through.” You deserve to feel good.
  
  

How to Find a Perinatal Specialist

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Not all therapists or psychiatrists are trained in postpartum mental health, but there are people who are. Here are a few ways to find them:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI): www.postpartum.net
  This directory can help find therapists, psychiatrists, and support groups near you, and many also offer virtual care.
• Psychology Today: Use filters for “pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum” when searching for providers.
• Your OB-GYN or pediatrician: They often have trusted referrals.
• My practice is also here to help.
  I work with women across California and New York, offering compassionate, expert care for postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and the complex identity shift that comes with new motherhood. If you’re looking for a psychiatrist who understands both the science and the soul of this stage of life, you’re in the right place.

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You Deserve to Feel Well

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There’s no “right” way to feel after having a baby. Every mother’s journey is different, but no one should suffer in silence wondering if what they’re feeling is “just part of it.” If your mental health is making it hard to get through the day, connect with your baby, or feel like yourself, let that be the signal to check in with someone who can help.  

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You are not weak.
You are not failing.
You are not alone.

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You deserve to feel well, whole, and supported—just as you care for your baby, you deserve that care, too.

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