Mental Health & Maternal Health
When people talk about maternal health, they often focus on physical milestones positive pregnancy tests, baby bumps, birth plans, and due dates. But the truth is, becoming a parent transforms more than just the body. It deeply affects the heart and mind.
We believe that mental health is an essential part of maternal health. Not a bonus. Not an afterthought. And definitely not something to power through in silence.
The Invisible Load of Pregnancy and Parenthood
From the moment a person learns they’re expecting, everything shifts. Hormones change, relationships evolve, and expectations both internal and external grow heavier. For many, this season brings joy and excitement. But for just as many, it also brings anxiety, fear, exhaustion, and overwhelm.
It’s common to hear people say things like:
“You’re just tired.”
“This is normal.”
“Its just your hormones.”
“You should be grateful.”
These comments often shut down deeper conversations about how someone is really feeling and minimizes very real and often hard to explain emotions. The reality is that mood disorders like perinatal depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD are among the most common complications of pregnancy and postpartum.
Mental health concerns are more common than gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
Why This Matters
Mental health struggles during pregnancy or postpartum don’t just affect one person. They can impact bonding, breastfeeding, sleep, relationships, and long-term family wellbeing. Untreated, these challenges may also increase the risk for poor birth outcomes or even maternal mortality.
We’ve seen firsthand how early support, education, and compassionate care can change everything. When people feel seen and supported, they parent with more confidence, connect more deeply with their babies, and recover more fully; physically and emotionally.
So What Can We Do?
1. Talk About It Openly
Normalize conversations around mental wellness during pregnancy and after birth. Just like prenatal vitamins or birth plans, emotional check-ins should be standard.
2. Create Safe Spaces
Doulas, childbirth educators, and peer support circles play a powerful role. We can be the ones to ask, “How’s your heart?” and truly mean it, giving space for new parents to open up and offload.
3. Make Support Accessible
This is why we offer discounted and Medicaid-supported childbirth education, doula services, alternative midwifery care, and wellness support like fertility-focused V-steams. It’s all connected. When families have access to care, they’re more likely to thrive.
Resources We Trust and Recommend
If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone. Support is available—and you don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.
Postpartum Support International – 1-800-944-4773 | postpartum.net
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-943-5746
Therapy for Black Girls – therapyforblackgirls.com
The Blue Dot Project – thebluedotproject.org
The Well Mom Checklist - https://www.fullcirclefamilyserviceshtx.com/blog-resources/the-well-mom-checklist
How FCFS Can Help
At Full Circle Family Services, we see the full picture. We offer care that honors the emotional, spiritual, and physical journey of parenthood.
Compassionate Midwifery Care
Hospital Birth support doulas
One-day and multi-part childbirth education
Ultrasounds that offer bonding and peace of mind
Fertility and postpartum V-steams for grounding and wellness
Mommy Meetups
We believe that when you care for the parent, you care for the whole family.
Mental health is maternal health. Always. If you’re not okay, that doesn’t mean you’re failing…it means you're human. And you deserve care that sees you, holds space for you, and walks with you through every stage of your story.
If you need support, we’re here for you throughout your journey. You’re not alone.
