11 - Postpartum Mental Health Guide for Christian Moms: Symptoms, Causes, and Support

Feb 2

A note for Christian moms:

If you’re a Christian mom finding this blog, I want you to know this space is for you. Many of the moms I support love Jesus DEEPLY and can still find themselves struggling with their mental health all while feeling confused, ashamed, or conflicted for struggling in the first place. You may have heard messages (spoken or unspoken) that if you just trusted God more or prayed more then you wouldn’t feel this way. Or that because motherhood is a gift you shouldn't feel this way.

I want to be very clear: struggling with your mental health doesn't make you a bad Christian or a weak believer. Loving your children deeply doesn't prevent mental health concerns. I know many of us in the Christian space often hear things like "just pray more", "don't speak that over yourself", or "be anxious for nothing", and while Scripture is true, that messaging can sometimes leave moms feeling ashamed for very real struggles they didn't choose. Faith doesn't cancel out hormones, trauma, nervous system overload, or the realities of postpartum life. This is here to offer understanding, education, and permission to seek the support you deserve.

Working in the postpartum space and being a mom myself, I’m no stranger to the realm of mental health challenges. Motherhood is the greatest blessing. It is often one of the most meaningful and most beautiful seasons of life. It’s also one of the most emotionally vulnerable periods a woman will ever go through. For many moms, mental health issues pop up unexpectedly and in ways they weren’t prepared for whether during pregnancy, postpartum, or long past the newborn phase.

For Christian moms specifically, these struggles can feel confusing, more isolating, and even shame-filled at times. You may wonder why you’re feeling this way when you love your baby and you trust God. You might question whether something is wrong with you not only mentally, but spiritually (spoiler: there’s nothing wrong with you).

As a faith-based doula, I’ve seen how common these are and how isolating it can feel when those in your community don’t talk about it honestly, openly, and with compassion. I pray this post brings you some clarity and reassurance. Whether you’re currently struggling and you’re trying to understand what you’re going through, or you’re simply educating yourself, my prayer is that you will walk away feeling less alone.

What I Mean By Maternal Mental Health Challenges

When I talk about maternal mental health, I’m not talking about one specific diagnosis or one shared experience. A mother’s mental and emotional well-being exists on a spectrum, and what feels challenging for one mom may be easy for another. These experiences can vary in intensity, how long they last, and how they show up day to day.

Mental health challenges can come up during pregnancy, in early postpartum, or months (and sometimes even years in my opinion) after a baby is born. They don’t only affect first-time moms and they aren’t prevented by loving your baby oh so much.

Some of the mental health conditions that can fall under this umbrella include:

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to pregnancy, birth, or postpartum
Bipolar Mood Disorders (Types 1 & 2)

Why They Happen

Mental health challenges in pregnancy and postpartum almost never have just one cause. More often, they’re the result of several biological, psychological, and social factors overlapping at once and they can look different with every pregnancy, birth, and postpartum season. The same mother can have one postpartum experience that feels like a dream and another where she’s dealing with intense anxiety, depression, or mood shifts.

Biological changes, like postpartum hormone shifts or a family history of anxiety or depression, can make emotions feel bigger, heavier, or harder to predict.

At the same time, past trauma, a difficult pregnancy or birth, or the sudden identity shift that comes with becoming a mother can add another layer of stress.

Then there are the day-to-day realities: broken sleep, long days at home with a newborn, isolation, and the repetitive nature of caring for a baby around the clock. All of that can wear on a mother’s emotional well-being.

Add in relationship stress, financial pressure, family members crossing boundaries, or the idea that moms are “supposed to have it all together,” and it’s easy to see why even deeply loved, supported, and prepared moms can still struggle with their mental health.

Symptoms You Might See

Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum depression can show up as ongoing sadness, heaviness, or numbness that doesn’t really lift with rest or reassurance. Crying easily is common. Some moms notice more irritability, anger, or even rage, while others feel disconnected from their baby, their partner, or even themselves.
  Even if baby is sleeping, your sleep and appetite can change by struggling to fall asleep/stay asleep, struggling to eat, sleeping too much, or overeating. Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness are common, and things that used to bring joy may feel distant, flat, or uninspiring.
  In more severe cases, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby can happen and need immediate support.
Postpartum Anxiety
- Postpartum anxiety often feels like constant worry or a sense that something bad is about to happen, even when everything looks “fine” on the outside. Thoughts may race, the body may feel tense or restless, and relaxing can feel nearly impossible.
  Physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, or stomach issues are common. Many mothers describe feeling on edge, irritable, or unable to shut their mind off especially at night.
Postpartum Psychosis
- Postpartum psychosis is rare, but very serious, and needs immediate medical care. It can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, extreme mood changes, confusion, or a big decrease in the need for sleep paired with unusually high energy. Thoughts or speech may feel disorganized or hard to follow.
  This is a medical emergency and is not caused by lack of support, effort, or love.
  ***If a mother is showing signs of postpartum psychosis, it is critical that she receives immediate medical attention. PPP carries a higher risk of harm to herself or others (including her baby), and even though it doesn’t happen in every case, being seen right away can be life-saving.
Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Postpartum OCD often involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts or images (frequently centered around the baby) that feel scary or upsetting. These thoughts are not desires or intentions, but they can bring up a lot of fear or shame.
  To cope, some mothers develop compulsive behaviors like repeated checking, cleaning, counting, or avoiding certain situations altogether. Feeling constantly on high alert or afraid to be alone with the baby is also common.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- PTSD can develop after a traumatic pregnancy, birth, or postpartum experience. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, heightened anxiety, and avoiding things that remind you of the trauma, including medical appointments or postpartum care.
  Some mothers describe feeling detached, jumpy, or constantly bracing for something to go wrong.
Bipolar Mood Disorders (1&2)
- Bipolar mood disorders involve shifts between depressive episodes and periods of elevated or irritable mood. During these higher-energy phases, a mother may feel unusually energized, need less sleep, have racing thoughts, talk more quickly, or act impulsively.
  Childbirth can trigger a manic or hypomanic episode, which may later be followed by depression. In more severe cases, hallucinations or delusions can occur and need immediate care.

What is the Difference Between These and Baby Blues

The difference between these concerns and baby blues are that baby blues are short-term and less severe. Baby blues usually peak in the first few days after birth and only last about two weeks before resolving on their own. They shouldn’t interfere with your ability to function or care for your baby in any major way. With baby blues you might experience mood swings, irritability or frustration, crying easily, feeling overwhelmed or anxious, fatigue and trouble sleeping, restlessness or worry, and/or trouble concentrating.

If these emotions begin to extend beyond the 2 week mark and/or are making it hard to function, sleep, or care for yourself or baby, those are red flags for a deeper root.

Why Early Recognition Matters

Noticing changes in your mental health early can make a huge difference. Early support can help keep symptoms from becoming more intense, protect the bond between you and your baby, and can bring relief when things already feel overwhelming.

If you ever catch yourself thinking, “Should I talk to someone about this?” or “I might need help,” the answer is YES. Reaching out doesn’t mean you’re failing or weak, and it doesn’t mean anyone will judge you. In fact, being able to acknowledge when you need support and seek it out is a sign of STRENGTH. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Support is available, and getting help sooner rather than later matters for your well-being.

What Treatment Can Look Like

Support for maternal mental health concerns can look different for every family and often involves a mix of practical help, professional care, and sometimes medication. This might include:

Bringing in extra help with meals, chores, or childcare to reduce overwhelm
Choosing sleep over keeping up with the house whenever possible
Making small pockets of time for reading, movement, or hobbies that feel grounding
Working with a therapist or counselor who specializes in postpartum mental health
Prayer, scripture, or talking with a trusted pastor or mentor can be grounding and can provide comfort and community
Using medication when recommended by a healthcare provider

There’s no one “right” way to get support. Support can look many different ways. Here is your permission slip to seek help that meets your needs. Every mother’s needs are different, and it’s okay to explore a few options to find what actually helps you feel better.

If you needed this, I want you to hear me: nothing about what you are experiencing means you’re failing as a mother. Mental health challenges are not a reflection of your love for your baby. I pray it reminds you that there is help, there is hope, you are not broken, there is support available to you, and you are deeply worthy of love and care in this season.

If this post resonated, I’d love to keep walking with you. You can sign up for my weekly blog updates here to follow the rest of this mental health series, get practical tips, encouragement, and resources for navigating postpartum <3

With love,

Greta

Resources

If you’re reading this and are seeing yourself in any part of it, don’t wait to get help. You can text or call the Postpartum Support International hotline, join a local support group, or reach out to someone you trust. You don’t have to face this alone.

Postpartum Support International: https://postpartum.net/

Postpartum Support International Hotline (Text or Call): 1 (800) 944-4773

Greta O'Hara