A Mother’s Guide to Perinatal Mental Health Services in Southeastern Virginia

Motherhood is often portrayed in the media as a time of pure bliss, soft lighting, and instant bonding. But for many women in Southeastern Virginia, from the bustling streets of Norfolk to the rural stretches of the Western Tidewater, the reality is different. The transition into motherhood can feel very different, and not as happy as it is portrayed.  It involves a total identity overhaul, massive hormonal fluctuations, and physical recovery.

If you are feeling overly emotional, teary, and stressed, it isn’t a sign of weakness; it is a condition known as a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). At The Up Center, we believe that a healthy community begins with healthy mothers. This guide serves as a roadmap for women navigating the highs and lows of pregnancy and postpartum life.

What It Is: Understanding Perinatal Mental Health

When does the Perinatal Period start? The “perinatal” period lasts almost two years.  It begins the moment a woman becomes pregnant and continues through the first full year after the baby is born (the postpartum period).

Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional well-being of a woman during this specific window. It is not limited to just “Postpartum Depression.” In fact, perinatal mental health encompasses many different experiences.

1. Perinatal Depression: This involves more than just sadness. It is a persistent feeling of emptiness, lack of energy, and an inability to feel pleasure in things that used to bring joy.
2. Perinatal Anxiety: Often the most common but least talked about, this involves “what if” thinking, racing thoughts, and a physical inability to relax.
3. Perinatal OCD: This manifests as intrusive, scary thoughts (often about the baby’s safety) and repetitive behaviors (like checking the monitor dozens of times) used to reduce that anxiety.
4. Postpartum Psychosis: A rare but emergency-level condition where a woman may lose touch with reality.

Women face different environmental stressors in Southeastern Virginia than in other parts of the country:  from the high-pressure lifestyle of military families in Virginia Beach to the economic stressors in rural counties. Understanding these conditions, on top of motherhood, can impact your health, and help you realize that you are not alone and these factors are very real.

Professional counseling may be helpful if you experience the following things:

• No “Good Days”: You find that your mood does not lift, even when the baby is sleeping or when you have help.
• You feel “checked out”: You feel like you are watching your life through a foggy window or like a robot going through the motions.
• Extreme Worry: You are so worried about germs, sleep safety, or visitors that you cannot function.
• You can’t sleep: Even when your baby is finally asleep and you are exhausted, your brain will not “shut off.”
• You feel regret, anger, or resentment: You find yourself wondering if you made a mistake becoming a mother, or you feel deep anger toward your baby or partner.

Even if you don’t feel these exact symptoms, but feel like you need some support, please contact The Up Center. You do not need to reach a “breaking point” before you deserve support.

What are the symptoms? (A Detailed Breakdown)

The signs that you might need help can be very subtle because society expects new mothers to be tired and overwhelmed. However, clinical symptoms are distinct in their intensity and duration.

Emotional Symptoms

• Loss of Interest: You no longer care about your favorite shows, foods, or hobbies.
• Inadequacy: A constant voice in your head telling you that you are a “bad mom” or that your baby would be better off with someone else.
• Mood Swings: Rapid shifts from anger to deep sadness within minutes.

Physical Symptoms

• Chest Tightness: Often associated with anxiety attacks.
• Headaches and Body Aches: Physical manifestations of the stress your nervous system is carrying.
• Appetite Changes: Either a total loss of appetite or a significant increase in emotional eating.

Cognitive Symptoms

• “Brain Fog”: Extreme difficulty making simple decisions, like what to eat for lunch or what the baby should wear.
• Intrusive Thoughts: These are “scary thoughts” that pop into your head unbidden—often involving accidental harm to the baby. For many women, these thoughts cause immense guilt, but they are actually a symptom of high anxiety, not a desire to cause harm.
  

Your Mental Health as a New Mother Matters

There is a common saying: “You cannot pour from an empty cup.” In the context of motherhood, this is a biological reality. A mother’s mental health is the central pillar of the family unit.

1. The Biological Connection

A mother’s emotional state directly impacts her physiological bond with her child. When a mother is in a state of chronic “fight or flight” (anxiety) or “freeze” (depression), it can be harder for her body to produce oxytocin—the “love hormone” that facilitates breastfeeding and bonding. Even if you aren’t breastfeeding, this is important.  By treating the mother, we are literally supporting the biological bond between her and her child. 

2. Breaking the Generational Cycle

Untreated perinatal mental health issues can impact a child’s emotional development and future attachment styles. By seeking help at The Up Center, you aren’t just helping yourself; you are changing and helping protect your child’s emotional life by breaking cycles of trauma or untreated illness that may have existed in your own family.

3. Reducing the Impact of “Health Deserts.”

In Southeastern Virginia, nearly one-third of our counties are considered perinatal health deserts. This means women in these areas have significantly less access to OB-GYNs and mental health specialists. When a mother’s mental health is ignored, the entire community suffers. Prioritizing your health is an act of advocacy for all women in our region.

Specialized Perinatal Counseling

Our therapists are specifically trained in the nuances of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. We don’t just offer general therapy; we offer targeted interventions that address the specific identity shifts of being a woman in the perinatal period.

The “It Takes a Village” Initiative

Thanks to our partnership with the Virginia Health Care Foundation, we are proud to offer the It Takes a Village program. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap for women who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the healthcare system.

• Affordability: We offer low-cost and no-cost options. We believe that a woman should always have access to mental health care, regardless of finances.
• Telehealth Options: We know that getting out of the house with a newborn is a monumental task. Our telehealth services allow you to speak with a therapist from your couch, your bed, or even your car,wherever you feel safe and private.

Doula Services and Physical Support

We recognize that mental health is tied to physical support. The Up Center offers Doula services to provide emotional and physical support during labor and the immediate postpartum period. Having a Doula has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing postpartum depression.

Family Strengthening and “Dad 2 Dads”

While our focus is on the mother, we know that a woman thrives when her environment is supportive. We offer programs for partners to help them understand what the mother is going through and how to help support her recovery.

Navigating the Path Forward: How to Start

If you are reading this and you recognize yourself in these descriptions, please know that this is not your fault. You did not do anything to cause this, and you cannot simply “snap out of it” any more than you could snap out of a broken leg.

The journey to wellness at The Up Center begins with a simple, confidential step.

Step 1: The Reach Out

You can call us at 757-965-8623 or email outpatientcounseling@theupcenter.org. You don’t need a formal diagnosis from your OB-GYN to call us. You just need to know that you want to feel better.

Step 2: The Assessment

We will match you with a provider who understands your specific situation—whether you are a first-time mom, a mother of multiples, a military spouse, or a woman dealing with high-risk pregnancy stress.

Step 3: The Healing

Through a combination of talk therapy, coping strategies, and, if necessary, coordination with medical providers for medication management, we will help you navigate your way back to yourself.

A Note to the Mothers of Southeastern Virginia

To the woman in Chesapeake who is staring at the nursery wall, feeling overwhelmed: We see you. To the mother in Norfolk who is afraid to tell anyone about her intrusive thoughts: You are safe with us. To the woman in Suffolk who feels isolated and alone in her struggle: We are here for you.

Southeastern Virginia is a place of incredible strength and resilience, and that strength starts with you. The Up Center is more than just a service provider; we are your neighbors, your advocates, and your village.

Motherhood is the hardest job in the world. You were never meant to do it alone. Let us walk with you.

Contact Information

• Location: 580 E. Main Street, Suite 400, Norfolk, Virginia 23510
• Phone: 757-354-3819 (General) | 757-965-8623 (Counseling)

New Client Registration: Available online at theupcenter.org