PSI offers understanding, education, empathy, and resource referrals to parents experiencing a wide range of situations, challenges and roles. In addition to the helpful resources shared below, we have recruited Specialized Coordinators in response to a growing number of requests from families who are eager to connect with someone who truly understands what they are facing.
To connect with one of the Specialized Coordinators below, you are welcome to reach out to them directly, or complete this form, identifying in which Specialized area you could use support, and they will reach out to you within 48 hours.
Connect with a Specialized Coordinator
Have a link you think should be included below, or interested in joining the team of Specialized Coordinator Volunteers? We welcome you to email Melissa Bentley or to fill out this application if you are interested in offering your specialized understanding and knowledge as a PSI volunteer.
Adoptive Parents
Mood and Anxiety Disorders during the postpartum period are experienced by more than just birthing parents. Parents who have adopted a baby/child can experience challenges with mood and anxiety as well. Please visit our Adoptive and Birth Mothers Page for more information.
Anger/Rage/Irritability
Feelings of anger, rage and irritability are surprising and common experiences during the postpartum period due to a variety of sources. However, if you are experiencing these emotions frequently, it could be a sign of a Perinatal Mood Disorder. These intense feelings may not have been common pre-baby, and cause additional distress.
Postpartum anger and rage are a newly emerging topic, one that many parents find themselves battling, and can bring about feelings of deep shame and guilt. Don’t let these feelings keep you from reaching out to get the support you need! Here are some resources you might find helpful, but also know that working with a mental health provider can be very helpful in understanding the source of rage and developing strategies to prevent or deal with these feelings.
Useful Workbook:
3 Tools to Start Managing Mom Rage by Happy as a Mother
Helpful Podcasts:
https://happyasamother.co/2019/09/21/understanding-mommy-rage/
https://happyasamother.co/2022/05/04/under-pressure-a-recipe-for-mom-rage/
https://wellmindperinatal.com/rage-in-motherhood/
Anger Management: Strategies for Parents and Grandparents
Bed Rest Resources
Some pregnancies present significant challenges, such as bed rest. The experience of bed rest during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and support is available!
Better BedRest – an advocacy, public awareness and volunteer-driven non-profit whose sole purpose is to provide support, resources and information to pregnant women who are prescribed bedrest and/or restrictions by their physicians or midwives.
Sidelines – non-profit organization providing international support for women and their families experiencing complicated pregnancies and premature births.
Hand to Hold – great list of helpful tools for self care during bed rest.
PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Bed Rest has been there, and understands how challenging this experience can be!
Birth Mothers Resources
PSI has gathered specialized support resources dedicated to birth moms who are having a hard time, either with the birth and relinquishment of their baby or with subsequent pregnancies. Please visit our Adoptive and Birth Mothers Page for more information.
Breast- and Body-Feeding Resources
We often hear that breast- and body-feeding is the most natural thing in the world. But the experience is often anything but easy, and can significantly exacerbate anxiety and depression in new parents.
- National Women’s Health and Breastfeeding Helpline
- Breastfeeding USA (a free warmline 612-293-6622, leave a message and counselor who specializes in body feeding will call back within 24 hours)
- Pacify Health
- Global Health Media Project
- Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances (Book)
PSI has a Specialized Coordinator available to offer support and understanding around the mental health challenges of breast- and body-feeding.
Colic Resources
As many as 1 in 4 newborns experience severe fussiness and are unable to calm themselves or develop age-appropriate sleep patterns. Sleep deprivation is a real concern for parents of newborns, and extended sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of perinatal mood disorders. Some extremely fussy babies might be diagnosed with “colic” by their pediatrician, but regardless of having a formal diagnosis or not, there is support available.
Fussy Baby Network is an excellent source of information and support for parents who have a baby with colic.
Dads/Fathers Support Resources
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are not only experienced by moms, and PSI has gathered specialized support resources for Dads. The Specialized Coordinator for Dads provides nonclinical support and understanding for fathers who are they themselves struggling. Please visit our Help For Dads Page for more information about these helpful resources, as well as a weekly support group, a closed Facebook page, and monthly informational Chat with an Expert call.
PSI is seeking additional Specialized Coordinators for Dads. Please go here for more information.
Disabled Parents
Disabled parents often experience stigma and have unique challenges and concerns. PSI recognizes that disabled parents have different needs and deserve tailored support and community. Perinatal mood disorders can manifest in different ways and have different triggers for disabled parents.
Disabled Parenting Project – https://disabledparenting.com/
PSI is committed to promoting social justice for disabled families and our Specialized Coordinator is available to support the full range of disabilities.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are often something that folks don’t talk about or even know they’re struggling with. Body image affects everyone at some point or another but is likely to become even more prevalent in the perinatal time period and beyond. It’s important to help parents who may have a poor relationship with food, struggle with their body, or just genuinely need a little more guidance on what might be going on with their mental health before and after pregnancy. It’s important to feel as though you’re not alone in this journey and to be affirmed that these struggles can and will be helped.
Healthy at Every Size Mom’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/976542396109433
Podcasts:
Food Psych (Christy Harrison)
Maintenance Phase
Body Love (Jessi Hagerty)
Books:
The body is Not an Apology – Sonja Renee Taylor
Embody – Connie Sobcazk
The Recovery Mama Guide to Your Eating Disorder Recovery in Pregnancy and Postpartum – Linda Shanti McCabe
PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Eating Disorders and understands the challenges of disordered eating during and after pregnancy, and how body image can be impacted by pregnancy and postpartum.
Fertility Challenges Resources
A diagnosis of infertility is often considered a medical and emotional crisis and is often coupled with the experience of grief and/ or loss. As a result, individuals navigating infertility are at an increased risk of experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. These symptoms can also accompany a pregnancy or even the care of a newborn after infertility has been resolved. Having support to navigate this unique period can be extremely helpful.
- Resolve: The National Infertility Association
- Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
- Fertility IQ
- Fertility Out Loud
- Fertility for Colored Girls
No two journeys to parenthood are the same and for this reason, PSI has Specialized Coordinators who have personal knowledge and understanding of these circumstances.
Foster Parents
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders are not only experienced by biological parents, and PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Foster Parents provide understanding and support for these parents who are struggling.
Gestational Surrogates & Intended Parents
For The Intended Parent
- Experiencing Surrogacy: Perspective and Advice from a Surrogate’s and Intended Parent’s Pregnancy Journey Together (Book)
- Your Future Family: The Essential Guide to Assisted Reproduction (What You Need to Know About Surrogacy, Egg Donation, and Sperm Donation) (Book)
- Intended Parent Resources – Family Makers (website with 16 different resources)
For The Gestational Carrier (not biologically related to baby)
For The Traditional Surrogate (biologically related to baby)
- Experiencing Surrogacy: Perspective and Advice from a Surrogate’s and Intended Parent’s Pregnancy Journey Together (Book)
For young children
Grandparents Resources
Some grandparents will experience a recurrence of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder after the birth of her or his grandchild. PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Grandparents provides understanding and support for grandparents who find themselves struggling.
Hindu Parents Resources
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Hindu Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for Hindu Parents.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum Resources
Pregnancy can come with rather unpleasant symptoms. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a pregnancy complication that is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and possibly dehydration. This is not simply “bad morning sickness”, but it is all too often minimized or left undiagnosed. Because this is not a common symptom, it can feel isolating and frightening. Talking to someone who has been been there can be very helpful, and our HG Specialized Coordinators are here for that exact purpose.
Immigrant Resources
Significant changes during pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Our Immigrant Coordinators can relate to other immigrant parents who are going through the process of learning a new language, finding friends and adapting to a new environment. These volunteers will work to connect them to resources that assist in navigating life in a new country.
Insomnia Resources
Insomnia is often associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. But sometimes it can become overwhelming. Many individuals find themselves struggling to cope from day to day, we understand severe insomnia is especially distressing, and requires extra support. PSI’s Insomnia Coordinator is here to provide a safe place to talk, and help find a way through the challenges of insomnia.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
The term “parents” means so much more than a mom and a dad pair. Just as the LGBTQIA+ acronym suggests, there is a wide range of sexual orientations and gender identities that comprise parents who may be struggling with mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. Queer families are at higher risk for perinatal mood struggles for a variety of reasons including: discrimination, stigma, possible issues with their family of origin, conception or adoption complications, denial of parental rights and more. Please visit our Support for Queer Parents page for more information.
Maternal Near Miss Resources
A maternal near miss is an event where a woman nearly dies due to pregnancy or childbirth related complications. The events are often unexpected and may leave the survivor feeling isolated and alone. You may also request to join the Maternal Near Miss Survivors Support Group on Facebook, which is run by peer support volunteers independently of PSI. Here are additional websites related to near-miss that might be helpful for those seeking support:
National Accreta Foundation: preventaccreta.org
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: blackmamasmatter.org
Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation: afesupport.org
National Blood Clot Alliance: www.stoptheclot.org
Lets Talk PPCM: https://letstalkppcm.org/
Preeclampsia Foundation: www.preeclampsia.org/get-support
Sepsis Alliance: www.sepsis.org
The Compassionate Friend: www.compassionatefriends.org
PSI has 2 volunteer Specialized Coordinators for Maternal Near Miss Survivors and we invite you to reach out for the understanding and support they can offer.
Military Families Support Resources
PSI has Support Coordinators to support military families of most branches. Please visit our Support Military Families page for more information.
Muslim Parents Resources
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. Muslim Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and understanding of their background can feel free to connect with this Specialized Coordinator.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Resources
The experience of having a baby in the NICU can be frightening, isolating and overwhelming. Here are a few resources that parents with a baby in the NICU, or who have already returned home, may find helpful:
- Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation – For parents whose infants require feeding tubes at home.
- Graham’s Foundation – National parent support organization for parents of micro-preemies.
- Hand to Hold – has some really great podcasts and support group offerings for NICU.
- NICU Helping Hands – Support, peer mentors, and information.
- NICU Parent Network – National organization of NICU peer support organizations.
- the NICU Dad – support specifically for dads who have a baby in the NICU.
- Peek a Boo ICU – Empowerment and education for families, celebration of the baby, their growth and development, and parenting in the neonatal intensive care.
- Support 4 NICU Parents – Website created and maintained by the National Perinatal Association with interdisciplinary guidelines for psychosocial support services for parents whose infants are in the NICU.
Led by trained PSI facilitators, our online NICU group is intended for parents of babies who are currently or formerly in the NICU. Connecting with others who have experienced the uniquely stressful environment of a NICU will provide parents with understanding, as well as helpful tools and resources. Whether your baby is currently in the NICU or you have finally returned home, our NICU parents support group is here for you.
Every Thursday 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
Parents who have a baby in the NICU or are now home after a NICU stay are invited to reach out to our Specialized Coordinator for NICU parents.
Neurodivergent Parents
Neurodivergent parents often experience stigma and have unique challenges and concerns. PSI recognizes that neurodivergent parents have different needs and deserve tailored support and community. Perinatal mood disorders can manifest in different ways and have different triggers for neurodivergent parents.
PSI is committed to promoting social justice for neurodivergent families and our Specialized Coordinator is available to support the full range of neurodivergence.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a challenging and creative disorder. Symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, contamination, checking, and record keeping can occur during perinatal OCD. It is said that about 8-13% of birthing people may have perinatal OCD & we’d like to give you tips & tricks to help cope with your perinatal OCD.
IOCDF is a wonderful resource and support for those who have perinatal OCD.
PSI has a Specialized Coordinator who understands, is ready to listen and help you through this process by finding resources and providing knowing support.
Parents of Multiples Resources
From the moment you find out you’re expecting multiples to the day you are juggling newborns in your hands, being a parent of multiples is a unique and overwhelming experience. Stress, worries, and guilt can be amplified when you’re caring for more than one baby, which may increase the risk of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.
Multiples of America – dedicated to supporting families of multiple birth children through support, education, and research.
Raising Multiples – the leading national nonprofit provider of support, education and research on higher-order multiple births. Seeks to advocate for quality prenatal care, promote healthy deliveries, and supply information to all multiple birth families in order to support successful parenting through every phase of their children’s development.
PSI’s Specialized Coordinators for Parents of Multiples understand the challenges faced by parents with multiples and offer knowing support and understanding.
Perineal Tear Resources
The physical recovery from childbirth can be much more difficult than we expected. Birth injuries such as 3rd or 4th degree tears can increase the risk of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, and are often suffered in silence due to the embarrassing complications such as fecal incontinence and fistulas. You aren’t alone! You may also join the Facebook community, 4th Degree Tear Support Group, which is run independently of PSI.
PSI’s Specialized Coordinator for Perineal Tears has been there, and understands how difficult this experience and the healing process can be!
Post Abortion Support Resources
Abortion is a common experience – one in four women will choose to terminate a pregnancy and 60% of those are already parenting. Despite abortion being a common experience, it is also very complex. From the stigma surrounding abortion, to the various reasons that can make an abortion decision difficult, we know that nonjudgmental support after abortion is essential. Below are resources that individuals seeking this support may find helpful:
If you are pregnant and unsure how to feel or what to do next, or you want to talk about a past or current experience with abortion, adoption, parenting, infertility or pregnancy loss, you’ve found the right place. Call our All-Options Talkline at 1-888-493-0092 from anywhere in the United States!*
Exhale
Exhale offers a free, national textline that provides emotional support, resources and information. All texts are completely confidential and counselors offer support and respect without judgment. The Exhale textline is available to individuals who have had abortions, and to their partners, friends, allies, and family members.
Connect & Breathe
1-866-647-1764
Connect & Breathe creates a safe space to talk about abortion experiences by offering a talkline staffed by people trained to listen and provide unbiased support and encouragement of self-care. Whether abortion has affected you or a loved one, yesterday or years ago, we are here for you.
The PSI Post-Abortion Specialized Coordinator offers this nonjudgmental support, as well as assistance in getting you connected to further resources like mental health therapy and peer groups.
Postpartum Psychosis Resources
PSI has Support Coordinators to provide support and assistance to women and families of women who are experiencing postpartum psychosis but who do not need emergency support. Please visit our Postpartum Psychosis Help Page for more information.
Preeclampsia and Long-term Health Complications Resources
Occurring in both pregnant and postpartum women, preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure. There are also other maternal health complications of pregnancy and delivery that can be more long-term and leave parents with unresolved feelings of anxiety or sadness.
Helpful Medical Information Resources:
“How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home,” Michigan Medicine (VIDEO)
“Your Blood Pressure. Check. Know. Share,” Preeclampsia Foundation
March of Dimes’ overview of preeclampsia, postpartum preeclampsia, risk factors, and signs and symptoms
Preeclampsia Foundation’s preeclampsia health information & FAQs for women and their families
“High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy,” CDC
Mayo Clinic’s overview of preeclampsia, symptoms, causes, risk factors, prevention and treatment
Emotional Support Resources:
“Not Just Physical: The Psychological Burden of Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome,” Preeclampsia Foundation, 2020
“Grounding Techniques for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” VeryWell Mind, 2021
“8 Deep Breathing Exercises for Anxiety,” VeryWell Mind, 2022
“Re-Centering In Times Of Uncertainty,” Meditation by Alex Elle, 2022
The PSI Preeclampsia Specialized Coordinators offer this nonjudgmental support, as well as assistance in getting you connected to further resources like mental health therapy and peer groups.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Resources
PSI has 4 Support Coordinators to support individuals and families who lost a pregnancy or baby. Please visit our Support for Loss & Grief in Pregnancy and Postpartum page for resources, loss-specific support group and our Pregnancy and Infant Loss Specialized Coordinators’ information.
Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR) Resources
Many parents face the difficult choice to end a pregnancy due a devastating maternal and fetal diagnosis. Our specialized coordinator provides non-judgmental support to families who experienced termination for medical reasons.
- Exhale
Exhale offers a free, national textline that provides emotional support, resources and information. All texts are completely confidential and counselors offer support and respect without judgment. The Exhale textline is available to individuals who have had abortions, and to their partners, friends, allies, and family members. - Ending a Wanted Pregnancy
Ending a Wanted Pregnancy provides abortion grief support after pregnancy termination for medical reasons, whether your decision was based on a poor prenatal diagnosis or maternal health problems.
PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Resources
History of trauma or a traumatic childbirth can result in or contribute to Perinatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P-PTSD). Parents may have feelings of fear, detachment, panic, anxiety and experience nightmares, poor sleep, and flashbacks.
PATTCh – Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth
Here at PSI, we have a Specialized Coordinator just for you; ready to listen and help you through this process by finding resources and providing one-to-one listening support.
Relationship Conflict
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring about challenges to relationships in unexpected ways. For some couples, roles and chores are renegotiated and expectations of each other adjusted. But the shift required can also lead to more serious conflict and require more urgent intervention.
Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. If you feel unsafe in your relationship, please call visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website, call them at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
Suggested books related to the struggle some relationships experience during pregnancy and postpartum:
- Becoming Us: The Couple’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood
- What About Us: A new Parents Guide to Safeguarding Your Over-Anxious, Over-Extended, Sleep-Deprived Relationship
- Becoming Us: 8 Steps to Grow a Family that Thrives
- Tokens of Affection: Reclaiming Your Marriage After Postpartum Depression
The PSI Relationship Conflict Specialized Coordinator offers this nonjudgmental support, as well as assistance in getting you connected to further resources.
South Asian Parents Resources
Postpartum mood disorders are experienced across all races, cultures and religious groups. South Asian Parents who are coping with a postpartum mood disorder (such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, etc.) and would like to connect with someone with knowledge and personal experience can feel free to connect with our Specialized Coordinator for South Asian Parents.
Substance Use & Misuse Resources
- Confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories. https://findtreatment.gov/
- SHE RECOVERS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) includes National Helpline (24/7/365) in English and Spanish (800-662-4357)
Teen and Young Adult Parents Support Resources
Having a baby as a teenager or younger adult can be stressful, lonely and overwhelming.
“There are a lot of negative messages out there about teen parents, undermining their ability to parent effectively and pursue their academic and career goals. When young people receive and internalize these messages, they may become discouraged from seeking their dreams and opportunities.” – the MOASH Expecting and Parenting Youth Inclusivity Toolkit
MOASH Expecting and Parenting Youth Inclusivity Toolkit
- A guide for adults – service providers, teachers, relatives, and others – about how to make their environments and interactions welcoming and supportive of young parents
Power Source Parenting – The Lionheart Foundation (Book)
- Written for teen and young adult parents and the professionals who support them
An Overview of Consent to Reproductive Health Services by Young People | Guttmacher Institute
- This resource guide gives state by state information about services you can access for reproductive health care and privacy rights.
Our Specialized Coordinators work with teen moms and can provide understanding and support, as well as helpful resources.
Unplanned C-Section
Many parents have clear expectations for how their birth will happen, but the experience does not always go as planned. Did you (or your partner) have an unplanned Caesarean Section? This type of birth, in particular, can cause a wide range of complex emotions—before, during and after, and even if everyone is safe. Many parents have shared feeling like their body “failed”, and that after the birth they were left feeling powerless, afraid, guilty and disappointed in both the healthcare system and their body. Some report experiencing symptoms such as: depression, anxiety, nightmares, difficulty going to or staying asleep, social isolation or withdrawing from pleasurable activities, and intrusive thoughts of the event.
It is important to know that you are not alone in these feelings, and there is help! Here are some resources available:
https://www.birthtrauma.org.au/caesarean-section/
https://www.vbac.com/cesarean-section-and-birth-trauma/#.Yzz5wy-B28U
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/cesarean/the-emotional-scars-of-c-sections/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-46347942
https://thebirthhour.com/unplanned-cesarean-birth-story-working-with-a-birth-trauma-therapist/
PSI has a Specialized Coordinator who understands, is ready to listen and help you through this process by finding resources and providing knowing support.