21. Why Mental Health Must Be Part of Every Postpartum Plan: From Birth Preparation to Recovery
Prepping for birth without a mental health game plan is like packing a diaper bag with no diapers.
It might look organized on the outside, but trust me—things are going to get messy real fast.
You’ve probably spent hours researching baby gear, comparing birth classes, and curating the perfect playlist for labor (because yes, “Eye of the Tiger” absolutely deserves a spot). But how much time have you spent preparing for the part that actually holds you together—your mind?
Mental health isn’t the bonus round of postpartum—it’s the whole damn foundation. And if you’re not factoring it into your birth prep and recovery plan, we need to talk. Because the truth is, your emotional and mental well-being deserves just as much attention as your hospital bag checklist or your birth preferences.
In this post, I’m breaking down why mental health needs to be part of every postpartum plan (yours included), how to actually do that without getting overwhelmed, and what it looks like to care for your mind from bump to beyond. Ready? Let’s dive in.
The Forgotten Fourth Trimester Is Very Real
You’ve heard of trimester one (nausea), trimester two (energy spike!), and trimester three (can’t see your toes). But what about the fourth trimester—the one no one wants to talk about because it’s a bit... raw?
Here’s what’s wild: 1 in 5 new moms will experience a maternal mental health disorder, and that’s only counting the ones who actually get diagnosed. Anxiety, depression, rage, overwhelm, grief—it doesn’t always look the way it’s “supposed” to.
You might be functioning, showing up for your baby, checking all the boxes—and still feel like you're falling apart on the inside. That doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human.
And no, you’re not supposed to “just be grateful” or “enjoy every moment.” (Insert eye roll here.)
Why Mental Health Support Starts Before Baby Arrives
Planning for mental health after birth is like putting your seatbelt on after the car starts rolling downhill.
Here’s why you want to begin during pregnancy:
You’re more likely to recognize the signs of anxiety or depression later if you know what to look for now.
You can build your support system in advance (hello, postpartum doula, therapist, bestie-with-the-soup-delivery).
You’ll feel prepared—not blindsided—when emotions get big, hormones get wild, and sleep disappears faster than your “me time.”
✨ Mental health planning isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about preparing for all the realities, even the messy ones.
Signs You Need to Prioritize Postpartum Mental Health (Spoiler: That’s Everyone)
Even if you don’t have a history of mental health challenges, postpartum can knock you sideways. And if you do have a history of depression, anxiety, trauma, or high-risk pregnancy? Planning is essential.
Look out for:
Persistent sadness, guilt, or numbness
Irritability or rage that comes out of nowhere
Racing thoughts, panic, or intrusive worries
Trouble sleeping—even when the baby is asleep
Feeling disconnected from your baby (or yourself)
If any of that feels familiar, first: you're not broken. Second: you don’t have to go through it alone.
How to Make Mental Health a Non-Negotiable in Your Postpartum Plan
So how do we actually do this? Start here:
1. Create a Realistic Postpartum Support Map
Not a Pinterest fantasy—your real-life village. Ask yourself:
Who can I talk to when I’m feeling off?
Who’s bringing food (or making sure I eat)?
What kind of professional support can I line up now?
Make a list. Add phone numbers. Yes, now.
2. Prep Your Mind Like You Prep Your Birth Bag
Take a birth class that doesn’t shy away from the emotional side (hint: I teach one 😉). Practice mindfulness, journaling, or even just saying out loud: “I matter too.”
3. Have the Hard Conversations Now
Talk to your partner, family, or birth team about what support actually looks like. Because spoiler: you might need more than “just let me know if you need anything.”
4. Build In Emotional Checkpoints
Set reminders (on your phone or with a friend) to check in with yourself—not just how baby’s doing. Ask:
How am I really feeling?
Am I being cared for or just managing?
These check-ins can help you catch things early instead of waiting until it’s all too much.
The Myth of “Bouncing Back” and Why You Don’t Need to
Let’s just lovingly toss that phrase in the trash, shall we?
You are not the same person you were before you gave birth—and that’s not a flaw. That’s growth.
Postpartum isn’t about getting your “old self” back—it’s about meeting your new self with compassion and support.
This isn’t the time to prove anything. It’s the time to heal, adjust, and be held. You are allowed to struggle. You are allowed to ask for help. And you’re still an amazing parent even when you don’t have it all together.
What No One Told You (But I Will)
You can plan your dream birth. You can rock every prenatal appointment. You can stock your freezer with 47 lasagnas. But if you skip the part where you prepare your mind for the intensity of postpartum, you’re setting yourself up for isolation and burnout.
That’s not what you deserve. You deserve support, strategies, and someone reminding you that your well-being matters—at every stage.
Want to Take This Further? I’ve Got You.
If today’s post hit home, don’t leave without the support you deserve.
✨ Join my email list or follow me on Instagram [@doulafaye]—because this space is built for you. Whether you’re mapping out your birth plan or crying into your postpartum snacks at 2 a.m., I’m here to help you feel seen, supported, and heard.
You don’t have to figure this all out alone.
Let’s keep this conversation going—because your mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s a birth right.
You’re growing a whole human. Let’s make sure you’re taking care of the one doing the growing, too."
