Perinatal Psychiatry Services
Mental Health Medication Management During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect up to 1 in 5 individuals during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth, making them the most common complication of pregnancy. At our practice, we provide specialized, compassionate psychiatric care to support your mental health throughout this transformative period—from preconception planning through the postpartum year.
What Is Perinatal Psychiatry?
Perinatal psychiatry focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy, postpartum, and the preconception period. Our specialized approach recognizes that mental health care during this critical time requires expertise in managing psychiatric medications safely during pregnancy and breastfeeding, understanding hormonal influences on mood, and supporting the developing parent-infant relationship.
The perinatal period—defined as pregnancy through the first year after delivery—represents a time of significant physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that can trigger or exacerbate mental health conditions. With proper treatment, these conditions are temporary and treatable
Conditions We Treat
Our perinatal psychiatry services address a comprehensive range of mental health conditions that can arise during the perinatal period:
Perinatal Depression: Affecting 10-15% of pregnant and postpartum individuals, perinatal depression involves persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep and appetite, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
Perinatal Anxiety Disorders: These include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and health-related anxiety, affecting approximately 10-15% of perinatal individuals. Symptoms include persistent worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, and difficulty relaxing.
Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (often about harm coming to the baby) and compulsive behaviors such as excessive checking or cleaning, affecting 1.7-7% of postpartum individuals.
Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Can develop following traumatic birth experiences, pregnancy complications, or loss, involving flashbacks, avoidance, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing.
Bipolar Disorder: The postpartum period represents a high-risk time for bipolar episodes, with approximately 20% of individuals with postpartum depression having an underlying bipolar spectrum disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
Recognizing the symptoms of postpartum depression is crucial for getting timely treatment. If you experience five or more of the following symptoms for at least two weeks, you may have postpartum depression:
Core Symptoms
Persistent depressed mood – feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the day, nearly every day
Anhedonia – loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, including caring for your baby
Significant fatigue or decreased energy beyond normal new parent tiredness
Additional Symptoms
Sleep disturbances – difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much (beyond what’s expected with a newborn)
Appetite changes – significant decrease or increase in appetite or unintended weight changes
Psychomotor changes – feeling restless and agitated or unusually slowed down
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt – believing you’re a bad mother or that your baby would be better off without you
Difficulty concentrating – trouble making decisions, focusing, or remembering things
Suicidal ideation – thoughts of death, dying, or harming yourself
Anxiety and worry – excessive concerns about your baby’s health, your ability to care for your baby, or persistent worry about many things
Irritability or anger – feeling unusually irritable, frustrated, or having angry outbursts
Obsessive thoughts – intrusive, unwanted thoughts about harm coming to your baby or yourself
When Symptoms Signal an Emergency
Seek immediate help by calling 988 or going to the nearest emergency room if you experience:
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Hallucinations or delusions
Severe confusion or disorientation
Inability to care for yourself or your baby
Postpartum Depression vs. Baby Blues
Understanding the difference between postpartum depression and baby blues is important for knowing when to seek professional help:
Baby Blues (Normal and Temporary)
Affects 50-75% of new mothers
Symptoms begin within 1-2 days after delivery
Resolve within 10-14 days postpartum
Symptoms include brief crying spells, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and sleep difficulties
Does not significantly impair daily functioning or ability to care for baby
No treatment required, but support and reassurance are helpful
Postpartum Depression (Requires Treatment)
Affects 10-15% of new mothers
Can begin during pregnancy or anytime in the first year after delivery
Symptoms persist for weeks or months without treatment
Significantly impairs daily functioning and ability to care for yourself and baby
Requires professional treatment with therapy and/or medication
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I need treatment?
Will medication affect my ability to breastfeed?
What if I don't get better with the first treatment?
Can I take care of my baby while I'm depressed?
Will this happen again with future pregnancies?
How do I know if I'm getting better?
About Our Postpartum Depression Treatment Services
Michael Colver, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with specialized training in perinatal mental health (PMH-C certification), Michael has extensive experience treating postpartum depression in mothers throughout Spokane and Eastern Washington.
Michael understands that becoming a mother is one of life’s biggest transitions, and when depression occurs during this vulnerable time, it can feel overwhelming and isolating. Using a combination of evidence-based medication management, supportive therapy, and comprehensive care coordination, Michael helps mothers recover from postpartum depression and develop the tools needed for long-term wellness.
Specialized Training:
Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Perinatal Mental Health Certificate (PMH-C)
Treatment Philosophy:
Every mother deserves to feel healthy, confident, and joyful during the postpartum period. Depression is never your fault, and seeking help is a sign of strength and love for both yourself and your family.
WHY CHOOSE US
Committed to Your Mental Well-Being
At Persona Mental Health, we believe in providing compassionate, individualized care that respects your unique journey. Our team of qualified professionals is dedicated to creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where you feel heard and understood.
WHY CHOOSE US
Committed to Your Mental Well-Being
At Persona Mental Health, we believe in providing compassionate, individualized care that respects your unique journey. Our team of qualified professionals is dedicated to creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where you feel heard and understood.