PSI HelpLine 800-944-4773

Maternal Mental Health Hotline
833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)

It’s okay not to be okay

After having a baby, everything about your life has changed. That doesn’t have to mean it has changed in a bad way, but you will need to give yourself a lot of grace in this new season of life. It will take time to create new habits and routines, which always seem to be changing with a young child.

Everyone’s postpartum journey is different. There is an expectation for you to be filled with constant joy. Although joy is a part of this journey, 80% of women will experience the “Baby Blues” post-birth. Mood shifts and hormonal fluctuations are common after birth, and these usually goes away on their own within two weeks.

One in five women experience varying degrees of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Symptoms can range from sadness, eating or sleeping problems, questioning if you should have become a parent, or upsetting thoughts that you cannot get out of your head.

You are not alone and do not need to suffer. Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are treatable. Talk with your provider or call the Postpartum Support International (PSI) or Maternal Mental Health helplines.

Postpartum Resources

  • Cedars-Sinai Preparing for Postpartum Wellness Class - Available and free for individuals delivering at Cedars-Sinai.

    DCFS Preventative and Supportive Services - Anyone can access the preventative and supportive services as a parent or expectant parent.

    Huntington Hospital's Virtual Maternal Wellness Program - Designed to support new mothers experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety.

    Jewish Family Services - Free virtual home visiting program, Raising Baby, providing individual sessions with a Parent Coach and Early Childhood Clinician, and other virtual support groups.

    Kindred Space LA - Virtual and in-person support groups for parents organized by what stage of their journey they are currently in, midwifery services, and childbirth classes.

    Mission Hospital Laguna Beach's Maternal Intensive Outpatient Program - Designed to help new moms improve their ability to cope and function in their daily life.

    New Moms Connect - Free online group to help navigate stressors and symptoms associated with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

    Unfiltered Therapy - A no cost, virtual, 6-week group for mother's adjusting to the postpartum period.

    Well Baby Center - Affordable individual, couples, and family counseling.

  • National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - A 24/7, free, confidential hotline for pregnant and new moms: 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)​.

    Postpartum Support International -Perinatal mental health resources, support groups and postpartum experts available for parents, including loss & grief, LGBTQ+, military partners, and adoptive parents: 1-800-944-4773.

    Text “Help” in English: 800-944-4773

    Text in Español: 971-203-7773.

    SANA Peer Support Warmline - Parents in Los Angeles County can call for mental health support: 888-823-SANA.

    The Fussy Baby Network - Fussy Baby Network serves any family caring for their fussy babies through our free warm line Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm Central Time: 888-431-2229.

  • Websites-

    Postpartum Support International - Perinatal mental health resources, support groups and postpartum experts available for parents, including loss & grief, LGBTQ+, military partners, and adoptive parents: 1-800-944-4773.

    Text “Help” in English: 800-944-4773

    Text in Español: 971-203-7773.

    Lactation Therapist - Perinatal support groups, virtual lactation consultations and ways to “hold the mother” while she gives her all to the baby.

    Maternal Mental Health Now - A library of perinatal mental health information and resources available for parents and families in various languages.

    Mom and Mind - Weekly podcasts hosted by Dr. Kat, a psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health.

    Recovery Diaries - A collection of stories shared by individuals who lived or are living with perinatal mental health challenges and how they are moving through their recovery journeys by sharing their story to further awareness.

    Return to Zero HOPE - Provides holistic support, resources and community to anyone who has experienced loss.

    Apps

    Expectful - Mental Health App for before, during, and after pregnancy.

    LEIA - A mental and physical support guide for after giving birth.

    Mamamend Postpartum Tracker - A personalized guide to childbirth recovery and postpartum health.

    Mindful Mamas - Mindfulness and self-care for mothers at any stage.

    Positively Pregnant - A tool to provide weekly baby updates and provide families with strategies to prepare for this transition.

    Pregnancy After Loss - An app to support families through the emotional journey as they conceive after loss.

    The Wonder Weeks - An app that teaches about the baby’s 10 mental leaps and how parents can support them when learning new developmental skills.

  • Let’s Talk Postpartum - A safe place for moms to share their postpartum stories, in a world where life after birth isn’t talked about enough.

    Mom and Mind Podcast - Weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Kat, a psychologist specializing in perinatal mental health. Some topics include Postpartum (PP) Depression, PP Anxiety, PP OCD, parenting, and relationships/sex.

    The Healthy Postpartum Mama - Designed for mothers planning for postpartum or living in postpartum to discuss the struggles women are facing after giving birth and giving them steps to reclaim their life to become the mothers they desire to be.

  • Car seats - A list of car seats distributed at free or no cost for low-Income families living in LA County.

    Infant Risk - Research driven articles and information regarding medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding: 1-806-352-2519.

    Mother to Baby - Provides evidenced-based research about effects of medication during pregnancy and lactation: 866-626-6847.

    USC Verdugo Hills Hospital: Family Education Program - A variety of free or low cost educational classes about breastfeeding, infant care, and CPR: 818-952-2272.