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Reproductive & Perinatal Mental Health
You probably expected things like pregnancy and new parenthood to be exciting and happy times. But there are many challenges that can arise during these life transitions. Since they’re not often discussed, it can leave you feeling alone and unsure of how to process your range of thoughts and emotions.
It’s not just you. And you are not alone.
Many, if not most, mothers have questions about pregnancy and postpartum related physical changes and fluctuating moods, along with concerns or fears about pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. Others wish to develop ways of caring for themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually during this time.
Are you wondering if perinatal or reproductive mental health services are right for you?
Here are just a few of the examples of the reproductive and perinatal mental health concerns that we help with at The NEST:
Pregnancy
Fear that something bad will happen
Anxiety over the childbirth experience or being a new parent
Wondering what emotions and feelings are “normal”
Concerned over physical changes that you’re experiencing
Fear or concern over how to transition from pre-baby to being a parent
Struggling to think clearly or make decisions
Wanting to prepare for the flood of emotions that you hear come after giving birth.
Infertility or loss
Struggling with feelings of grief
Dealing with guilt or shame
Overwhelm from trying to decide what the next best steps are
Adjusting to the idea that your future doesn’t look like you expected
Exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions from fertility treatments
Feelings of isolation as your mourn your loss (loss of pregnancy, stillborn, infant loss, or vision of the life you expected)
Postpartum
Wondering if you weren’t cut out to be a parent
Struggling with transition to your new life or missing the way things used to be
You don’t feel the way you expected to feel
The childbirth experience didn’t go how you expected and you have feelings of dissapointment, guilt or shame
Experencing scary or wanted thoughts and feelings
You just don’t feel like yourself anymore
Adjusting to life after adoption
Menopause
Struggling to deal with this transition during an already overwhelming time in life
Feeling “off” or not feeling like yourself
Anxiety over not knowing what to expect through this not-often-talked about part of life
Difficulty accepting this change in life
Feelings of grief
Struggling with body image
Emotions around change in libido
Reproductive & Perinatal Mental Health Solutions
The NEST tailors treatment programs using psychotherapy along with a holistic and integrative approach to meet your unique needs at any stage of pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, loss or menopause.
Created by clinical psychologist, Dr. Harmony Carlson, The NEST grew out of years of traditional psychotherapy with prenatal and postpartum mothers experiencing mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety and loss. Our experienced team also specializes in women's issues from adolescence through menopause and beyond.
We invite you take the first step
We understand you may have mixed emotions about reaching out for help. The feelings that you’re experiencing are normal. The NEST is a safe place to share and get help for these personal concerns and challenges that you’re facing.
To make it as easy as possible for you, we have a baby-welcoming and family-friendly environment located in Stillwater MN. We also provide telehealth therapy through phone or video if you’re unable to attend in-person appointments or are located outside of the Twin Cities area.
Your first step towards addressing your concerns and reconnecting with yourself, is to schedule an appointment.