Having a baby changes almost everything—your routine, your sleep, your relationships, your body, and often the way you think about safety and responsibility.
Some worry is expected. You may find yourself checking whether your baby is breathing, wondering whether they are eating enough, worrying about illness, or questioning whether you’re doing things “right.”
But sometimes the worry doesn’t turn off.
You may be exhausted but unable to sleep. Your mind may constantly jump to everything that could go wrong. You may repeatedly check on your baby, search symptoms online, seek reassurance, or experience upsetting thoughts or images that seem to appear out of nowhere.
These experiences can be signs of postpartum anxiety.
What Does Postpartum Anxiety Feel Like?
Postpartum anxiety doesn’t always look like a panic attack. For some women, it looks like being constantly “on.” You might notice:
- Racing thoughts
- Constant worry about your baby’s health or safety
- Difficulty relaxing
- Irritability
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Trouble sleeping even when you have an opportunity to sleep
- Repeatedly checking on your baby
- Feeling afraid to leave your baby with someone else
- Repeatedly seeking reassurance
- Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, nausea, dizziness, or muscle tension
- Feeling overwhelmed by decisions that previously seemed simple
Sometimes anxiety can become so woven into new motherhood that women don’t recognize it as anxiety at all. They may simply think, “This is what being a mom feels like.”
What About Intrusive Thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts can be particularly frightening for new mothers. An intrusive thought is an unwanted thought, image, or idea that appears suddenly. It may involve something bad happening to the baby or an upsetting “what if” scenario.
Having an unwanted intrusive thought does not automatically mean someone wants the thought to happen. In fact, people with anxiety can become extremely distressed precisely because the thought conflicts with what they want and value.
Because these thoughts can feel embarrassing or frightening, some mothers hesitate to tell anyone about them. A mental-health professional experienced in perinatal and postpartum concerns can help evaluate what you’re experiencing and determine what type of support may be appropriate.
Postpartum Anxiety vs. the “Baby Blues”
The early postpartum period can involve significant emotional changes. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, physical recovery, feeding challenges, relationship adjustments, and the enormous responsibility of caring for a newborn can all affect mood.
But when anxiety is persistent, difficult to control, interfering with sleep or functioning, or making it difficult to enjoy daily life, it may be time to seek additional support. You don’t have to wait until anxiety becomes unbearable before talking with someone.
Therapy for Postpartum Anxiety
Therapy can provide a place to understand what is fueling the anxiety and develop strategies for responding differently to anxious thoughts and physical symptoms. Depending on your needs, treatment may address:
- Excessive worry
- Intrusive thoughts
- Birth-related trauma
- Changes in identity after becoming a mother
- Relationship stress
- Perfectionism
- Guilt
- Difficulty asking for help
- Previous trauma resurfacing after childbirth
- Depression and anxiety occurring together
For women whose symptoms are connected to traumatic pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum experiences, trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR may also be considered when clinically appropriate.
Postpartum Therapy in Chicago and Illinois
Victress, A Wellness Center for Women provides mental-health services for women experiencing postpartum anxiety, depression, trauma, and other emotional challenges in Chicago, Palos Heights, Chicago’s South and Southwest Suburbs, and throughout Illinois via telehealth.
In-person services are available in Palos Heights, and telehealth allows eligible clients to receive therapy from throughout Illinois. This can be particularly helpful for new mothers who may find it difficult to arrange childcare, travel with a baby, or fit another appointment outside the home into an already demanding schedule.
Does Victress Accept Medicaid for Postpartum Therapy?
Victress accepts select Illinois Medicaid managed-care plans, including BCCHP, Meridian, and Aetna Better Health of Illinois. Insurance networks, eligibility, and individual provider participation can change, so coverage should always be verified before beginning services. Victress does not accept Indiana Medicaid.
Getting Started
If worry is taking up more of your day than you would like, interfering with sleep, affecting your relationships, or making motherhood feel dominated by fear, support is available.
Contact Victress, A Wellness Center for Women to learn about current therapist availability and insurance participation.
FAQ
Is postpartum anxiety normal?
Some worry after having a baby is common. When anxiety becomes persistent, difficult to control, interferes with sleep or daily functioning, or causes significant distress, talking with a mental-health professional may be helpful.
Can postpartum anxiety cause intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Some people with postpartum anxiety experience unwanted intrusive thoughts or images. Experiencing an unwanted thought does not automatically mean a person wants it to happen. A qualified professional can help assess symptoms and determine appropriate support.
Can I do postpartum therapy online in Illinois?
Victress offers telehealth for eligible clients throughout Illinois, in addition to in-person therapy in Palos Heights.
Does Victress accept Medicaid for postpartum therapy?
Victress accepts select Illinois Medicaid managed-care plans, including BCCHP, Meridian, and Aetna Better Health of Illinois. Coverage and clinician participation should be verified before scheduling.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI and reviewed for accuracy and relevance by Victress, A Wellness Center for Women.