May, Motherhood, and Mental Health: Learning to Move at My Own Pace
By: Kim Hedaya, LCAT
May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness around the emotional and psychological experiences of pregnancy and postpartum. As both a mother and a therapist working with children, this month feels deeply personal to me. It invites reflection not just on the families I support in my work, but on my own journey navigating postpartum life and returning to my role as a clinician.
Coming back to work after having a baby is often framed as a “return to normal.” I’ve learned there is no going back, only forward, into a new version of life that requires gentleness, flexibility, and a reimagining of balance. This season has asked me to give myself more grace than I ever have before.
Spring, in many ways, mirrors this transition. There is an expectation of blooming, of productivity, of renewal. But nature doesn’t rush, and I’ve been reminding myself that I don’t have to either. Slowing down has become an intentional practice. Moving through my days with awareness of my energy, my needs, and my limits has been essential, not indulgent. I’ve learned to adjust my expectations, honor my capacity, accept and ask for support, and prioritize what truly matters.
This is especially important when we consider Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which affect 1 out of every 5 individuals during pregnancy and postpartum. PMADs include conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and more. They are common, treatable, and often misunderstood. Research shows that when postpartum depression and related conditions go untreated, they can affect not only the parent’s well-being but also the developing parent-child relationship, impacting bonding, responsiveness, and early attachment patterns. Additionally, studies have found that PMADs can play a significant role in shaping the child’s development across physical, cognitive, social and emotional domains, in infancy and through adolescence.
A parent who is struggling may feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure of themselves, but with support, healing is possible and relationships can strengthen in meaningful ways. As a perinatal mental health therapist, I specialize in supporting individuals and families through the emotional complexities of pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you’re navigating anxiety or depression, identity shifts, relationship changes, or simply feeling unlike yourself, you don’t have to go through it alone. Therapy can be a space to process, rebuild, and reconnect, with yourself and your child.
This Maternal Mental Health Month, I’m reminding myself that change is hard and beautiful, finding a balance needs constant readjusting, and moving slowly, intentionally, and with compassion toward yourself is not falling behind, it’s a powerful way forward.
References
Lubotzky-Gete, S., Ornoy, A., Grotto, I., & Calderon-Margalit, R. (2021). Postpartum depression and infant development up to 24 months: A nationwide population-based study. Journal of affective disorders, 285, 136–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.02.042
McMahon, C. A., Barnett, B., Kowalenko, N. M., & Tennant, C. C. (2006). Maternal attachment state of mind moderates the impact of postnatal depression on infant attachment. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 47(7), 660–669. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01547
Rogers, A., Obst, S., Teague, S. J., Rossen, L., Spry, E. A., Macdonald, J. A., Sunderland, M., Olsson, C. A., Youssef, G., & Hutchinson, D. (2020). Association Between Maternal Perinatal Depression and Anxiety and Child and Adolescent Development: A Meta-analysis. JAMA pediatrics, 174(11), 1082–1092. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.2910
