You imagined this time would feel different. Instead, the days blur together, the nights are long, and a heavy, flat feeling won't lift. Maybe you feel guilty for not enjoying your baby more, or you're quietly wondering if something is wrong with you. If you're a new parent in Ottawa and you've been struggling since pregnancy or since your baby arrived, you're not alone, and support is available. This guide walks through how postpartum depression therapy can help at each stage, from pregnancy through the first year, and how to fit it around life with a newborn.
This post is for birthing parents, partners and adoptive parents. Whoever you are, your mental health matters too.
Who postpartum depression therapy is for
Postpartum depression therapy is for anyone who is struggling emotionally around the arrival of a baby. That includes people who:
Are pregnant and feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed.
Gave birth recently and feel sad, numb or irritable most days.
Adopted or welcomed a child through surrogacy and feel unexpectedly low.
Are a partner who is finding it hard to cope.
Are months into parenthood and still haven't felt like themselves.
You don't need a diagnosis to reach out. If something feels off, that's reason enough to talk to someone.
Our Ottawa office offers prenatal and postpartum therapy, in person downtown or online from home.
More than the baby blues
Many new parents feel tearful or moody in the first days after birth. MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, explains that these "baby blues" usually go away within a few days to a week, and that postpartum depression symptoms are more intense and last longer.
The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes perinatal depression as a mood disorder that can happen during pregnancy and after childbirth, and that can bring extreme sadness, anxiety and fatigue that make daily tasks hard. It's also common. The World Health Organization notes that about 13 percent of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, primarily depression.
Only a professional can tell you what you're experiencing. If you'd like a closer look at what postpartum depression can feel like, a conversation with our team is a good place to start. If constant worry is the bigger issue, Cleveland Clinic describes postpartum anxiety as excessive worrying after childbirth or adoption, and our post on postpartum anxiety may help.
The timeline: support at every stage
Postpartum depression doesn't always start after birth, and it doesn't always end on a set schedule. Here's how therapy can help at different points along the way.
During pregnancy. NIMH notes that perinatal depression includes depression during pregnancy, sometimes called prenatal depression. Pregnancy can bring worries about birth, changes in your body and relationships, and memories of past losses. Prenatal therapy gives you space to talk through these feelings before the baby arrives, and to plan for support afterward.
Around the birth. Birth doesn't always go as planned. Some parents feel shaken, disappointed or even frightened by their birth experience. Talking it through can help you make sense of what happened.
The first weeks at home. This is when sleep loss hits hardest. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains that not getting enough sleep can make it harder to manage emotions and cope with change. Short, practical sessions, often online, can help you get through the hardest days.
Months two to six. Visitors fade, partners may return to work and the reality of daily care sets in. Many parents say this is when they notice they still don't feel like themselves.
Later in the first year and beyond. Returning to work, changes in your relationship and questions about identity often come up now. It's never too late to reach out, even if your baby is no longer a newborn.
What therapy can help with
Every parent's experience is different. In general terms, postpartum therapy can help with:
Low mood, numbness or a sense of emptiness.
Guilt, shame or feeling like you're not a "good enough" parent.
Changes in identity and missing your old life.
The strain of broken sleep.
Changes in your relationship with your partner.
Difficult or upsetting birth experiences.
Worry and intrusive thoughts.
NIMH notes that several types of psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or counselling, can help with perinatal depression. A therapist can help you understand what you're feeling, build coping strategies and feel less alone.
Fitting therapy around a newborn
Getting to an appointment with a new baby can feel impossible. That's why flexibility matters.
Online from home. Many new parents choose online sessions. You can join from your couch or bedroom, without packing a diaper bag or finding parking downtown. Online sessions can be a good fit during nap times or when a partner or family member can watch the baby.
In person downtown. Some parents want a reason to get out of the house, and a calm room away from the baby monitor. Our Ottawa office is at 1 Rideau Street, 7th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1N 8S7, inside the Fairmont Château Laurier. You can reach our Ottawa team at (613) 691-1006.
Switching as you go. You might start online in the early weeks and move to in person later, or the other way around. Either is fine.
If you have questions about practical details, like bringing your baby, ask our team when you call.
Support during pregnancy, too
You don't have to wait until after birth to get help. If pregnancy is bringing up anxiety, low mood or old grief, prenatal therapy can help you feel more prepared and supported. Our clinic describes its prenatal and postpartum therapy as support for parents through the transitions of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting.
Starting therapy during pregnancy also means you already have a relationship with a therapist if things get harder after the baby arrives.
Partners need support as well
When one parent is struggling, the whole family feels it. Partners may feel helpless, worried or worn out themselves. NIMH notes that spouses, partners, family members and friends may be the first to notice the signs of perinatal depression.
Partners can struggle with their own mental health after a baby arrives, too. Their feelings deserve attention, not just their role as a support person. Our guide on how to support someone with postpartum depression offers practical ideas for partners and family.
Partners are welcome to book their own sessions with us.
Small things that can help right now
Therapy works best alongside small, kind steps in daily life. These are our suggestions, not a replacement for support:
Say it out loud. Tell one person you trust how you're really feeling.
Protect one stretch of sleep. If you can, trade night shifts with a partner or family member.
Lower the bar. Dishes can wait. Takeout counts as dinner.
Get outside. A short walk with the stroller along the canal or around the block can help.
Accept help. When someone offers, give them a specific task.
None of these will fix postpartum depression on their own, but they can make the hardest days a little lighter while you get support.
Cost and billing
Here's what to know about cost:
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so it's worth checking your plan.
Health Spending Accounts can often be used for therapy, depending on the plan.
We direct bill many insurers, even for sessions with a registered psychotherapist (qualifying). Our team can help you check what applies to your plan.
If you're in crisis
If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please get help right away. Call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night. If you're in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Your first step
Reaching out can feel like one more thing on a long list. We'll keep it simple.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. They can answer your questions about online or in-person sessions in Ottawa, cost and billing, and help you find a therapist who fits.
You deserve care during this season, too.