Prioritizing You: Why Perinatal Wellness Matters
We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” But if we’re being honest, most moms—especially new or expecting ones—are out here pouring from a cup that’s cracked, leaking, and barely half full.
The pressure to be everything for everyone else can be overwhelming. You’re juggling sleepless nights, hormonal shifts, the expectations of motherhood, and maybe even the identity crisis that quietly whispers, “Who am I now?” And while you're making sure the baby eats, sleeps, and poops on schedule, who's making sure you’re okay?
More moms are realizing they don’t have to white-knuckle their way through pregnancy or the postpartum period. More moms are fighting against the unrealistic expectations that have been placed on them and finding ways to create sustainable balance. You can thrive—not just survive—with the right support. And that begins by investing in your own wellness.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to a woman’s emotional and psychological well-being during pregnancy and up to a year after giving birth. It’s not just about postpartum depression. It includes anxiety, birth trauma, intrusive thoughts, OCD, and even feelings of disconnection or overwhelm that don’t quite have a name.
This season of life is huge and transformative. It brings change to your body, your relationships, your identity, and your sense of control. That’s a lot to carry, even if you have a support system in place. If you’re navigating it all without intentional care for yourself, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in a sea of diapers, dishes, and doubt.
The Silent Struggle: Why Moms Don't Speak Up
Too many moms in suffer in silence. They feel like they should be grateful. Like they should be stronger. Like they should have it all together. Like asking for help makes them weak or bad at being a mom. Many moms feel like they were put on this earth to help everyone else, but cannot burden someone else to help care for them.
Society often idealizes motherhood as joyful, self-sacrificial, and effortless creating pressure to meet unrealistic standards. When a mom’s experience with motherhood doesn’t quite align, moms fear being judged as weak, ungrateful, or incompetent if they admit they’re struggling.
Let me say this clearly: taking care of your mental health is not selfish. It’s sacred.
When you invest in your own wellness, you’re not taking anything away from your child—you’re giving them the very best version of you.
Signs You May Need Perinatal Mental Health Support
Not sure if what you're feeling is “normal” or a sign that you need help? Here's what to look out for:
Crying often or feeling persistently sad
Feeling anxious, panicked, or irritable most days
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Struggling to bond with your baby
Intrusive or scary thoughts you don’t want to have
Feeling like you're failing, even when you're trying your best
Withdrawing from loved ones
Difficulty sleeping—even when the baby sleeps
These symptoms are not an exhaustive list……. They make you a mom who’s carrying more than her share. And the truth is, you don’t have to carry it alone.
What to Expect from Counseling with a Perinatal Specialist in San Antonio and Schertz
If you’re thinking about therapy but feel nervous or unsure, that’s okay. Here’s what you can expect when working with a perinatal mental health specialist:
1. A Judgment-Free Zone
You don’t have to sugarcoat anything. You can be raw. You can cry. You can say you miss your old life. You can say you don’t feel connected to your baby yet. You can say you’re scared. Your therapist is there to hold space for all of it.
2. Tailored Support for Your Season of Life
Perinatal counseling isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your sessions will be based on your specific experiences and needs. Whether you're dealing with birth trauma, anxiety, or a shift in your identity, your counselor will work with you to create a plan that helps you heal and cope.
3. Tools to Rebuild Emotional Strength
You’ll learn coping strategies that you can actually use in your day-to-day life. These might include grounding exercises for anxiety, ways to reframe negative thoughts, boundary setting with well-meaning but overbearing relatives, and realistic self-care that doesn’t require hours you don’t have.
4. Validation and Normalization
One of the most powerful parts of therapy is hearing the words: "You're not alone. And you're not crazy." Your thoughts and feelings make sense in the context of what you're going through. Maternal mental health counseling can help you name them, understand them, and heal through them.
Why Perinatal Wellness Is Non-Negotiable
Patty Silva, Lead Maternal Mental Health Counselor
Listen, mama—your wellness isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. You are the heartbeat of your family. And when you’re emotionally and mentally well, everyone benefits. Your baby benefits from a present, attuned mom. Your relationships thrive because you’re not running on fumes. And you get to experience motherhood with more peace and joy.
Taking care of yourself is the most loving thing you can do for your family.
How to Make Space for Yourself in the Chaos
You’re busy. We get it. But wellness doesn’t always have to look like spa days or silent retreats. Sometimes, it’s about the small shifts:
Saying “no” to one more obligation and “yes” to rest
Letting someone else help (yes, even if they don’t do it your way)
Scheduling a therapy session and showing up—even if your hair’s in a messy bun and your baby is napping in the car seat
Allowing yourself to be more than just a mom
Because you are. You’re a whole person who matters deeply.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
At our San Antonio and Schertz counseling centers, we specialize in supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, adjusting to motherhood, or recovering from birth trauma, we’re here to walk with you. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Help is here—and healing is possible.
You are worthy of care, too.
Are you ready to say yes to you? Begin counseling with HOPE.
Meet with one of our skilled counselors.
Begin to invest in you, just as much as you invest in others.
Let’s make space for your wellness—starting today.