While postpartum depression is widely recognized, postpartum anxiety often lingers in the shadows, affecting many new mothers without the same level of awareness. This condition manifests as intense, often overwhelming fears about a baby’s safety, with vivid, intrusive thoughts of harm—such as the baby falling, getting hurt, or even more distressing scenarios like bleeding. These fears can jolt a mother awake from vivid dreams where she’s forgotten something critical to her child’s safety. Everyday stories of accidents or mishaps can amplify these anxieties, leaving new mothers feeling trapped in a cycle of worry. It’s a silent struggle for many, but understanding its signs can be the first step toward relief.

Postpartum anxiety shows up in a variety of mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms. Mentally, it can bring excessive worry about the baby’s well-being, intrusive thoughts of harm, or relentless generalized anxiety that’s hard to control. Some mothers experience obsessive-compulsive thoughts or sudden panic attacks, paired with feelings of being overwhelmed, irritable, or hopeless. Physically, symptoms might include a racing heart, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, or disrupted sleep—even when the baby is resting peacefully. Behaviorally, mothers may avoid certain situations, compulsively check on their baby, or struggle to concentrate, sometimes withdrawing from loved ones. These symptoms can feel isolating, but they’re more common than many realize and don’t reflect a mother’s ability to care for her child.

You are not alone in these fears—they are not omens but simply the mind’s response to the stress and overstimulation of new parenthood. Feeding these thoughts by dwelling on them can deepen the anxiety, but relief is possible. Try acknowledging these fear-based thoughts without following them down the rabbit hole. Breathe deeply, exhaling the worry, and shift your focus to the love and joy your child brings. Engage in small, grounding actions—laugh, move your body, or find a thought that feels lighter. If the anxiety becomes unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek support. Therapists are equipped to help you navigate this, offering tools to ease the burden and rediscover calm. You’re not failing; you’re human, and help is within reach.

Alissa is joining Birch Counseling as a graduate student intern from St. Mary’s University in the Counseling and Psychological Services program. She has over 15 years of experience in diverse administrative roles, collaborating with people from various backgrounds.

Alissa offers a warm, compassionate, and safe space to explore what matters most to clients. She believes every client deserves to feel heard, seen, and validated. She values humor to build connections and create a supportive space for growth.

Alissa works with adults, older adolescents, and couples. She uses an integrative approach that includes aspects of acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and feminist therapy. As a mother, Alissa has a special interest in supporting individuals experiencing pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety. She is passionate about helping new parents navigate the challenges of expanding their family.

In her free time, Alissa enjoys reading at coffee shops, making arts and crafts with her children, and taking advantage of the many Minnesota lakes.