You Are Not Alone

If you or a loved one needs mental health support throughout pregnancy or adjusting to parenthood, contact our Warmline or consult our online directory today.

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Postpartum Health Alliance

The San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance (PHA) is a nonprofit dedicated to recognizing, understanding, and responding effectively to the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families.

About Postpartum Health Alliance

We offer direct support and referrals to help-seekers through our Warmline and online provider directory, and prepare perinatal professionals to deliver compassionate care through education and training.

Support Our Mission

Every donation to the Postpartum Health Alliance fuels programs that provide compassionate care, access to resources, and professional training for our community. When you donate to Postpartum Health Alliance, you’re helping parents and families access the mental health support they need to thrive.

Stay in the Know

Stay up-to-date on local perinatal mental health news and resources for San Diego County. Sign up for the Postpartum Health Alliance newsletter to receive thoughtful updates that keep you informed.

Perinatal Mental Health Conditions

Perinatal mental health (PMH) conditions are the most common complication of childbirth, yet many suffer unnecessarily without professional support. 

Why It Matters

About 1 in 5 moms – and 1 in 10 partners – experience mental health concerns during pregnancy and postpartum. 

Up to 50% of PMH conditions in birthing parents go undetected, and 75% of those affected never receive professional support.

These conditions can cause parental distress, family strain, and, in rare cases, serious health risks. Symptoms may begin during pregnancy and last up to a year—or up to 3 years if untreated.

Get Support Today

Perinatal Mental Health Conditions: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms

Many parents experience changes in mood, thoughts, or feelings during pregnancy and after birth. These conditions are common and treatable—you are not alone, and help is available.

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  • Affects up to 85% of new parents.
  • Often shows up in the first week after birth as mood swings, tearfulness, or feeling overwhelmed
  • Symptoms are usually mild and resolve within two weeks.
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  • Feels like a heavy cloud that won’t lift.
  • Includes sadness, numbness, guilt, self-doubt, irritability, low energy, sleep or appetite changes, or feeling disconnected from yourself or your baby.
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  • Characterized by constant worry, racing thoughts, restlessness, or feeling on edge.
  • Can include panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or physical symptoms like a racing heart or stomach upset.
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  • Involves unwanted, distressing thoughts or images often about your baby’s safety.
  • Parents may cope with mental acts, checking, avoiding, or seeking reassurance, which provides some short-term relief, but these compulsions feed further obsessions.
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  • Can develop after a traumatic pregnancy, reproductive loss, birth, or postpartum experience.
  • Can lead parents to relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, feel constantly on guard, or avoid reminders.
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  • Includes periods of significant depression as well as times of elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania).
  • During high-energy phases, parents may need less sleep, have racing thoughts, take risks, or feel unusually confident.
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  • A rare but serious condition.
  • Usually starts in the days or weeks after birth.
  • Symptoms may include confusion, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things others don’t), delusions (false beliefs), extreme mood changes, or feeling detached from reality.
  • Postpartum psychosis is treatable, but needs immediate medical attention. If you are currently experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or visit the local Emergency Room.
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Are You a Professional Who Treats PMH Conditions?
Join PHA Today!

PHA brings together professionals, students, and community advocates committed to supporting parents during pregnancy and postpartum. By becoming a member, you gain access to valuable resources, professional development, and a supportive network while helping strengthen perinatal mental health care in San Diego County.

Learn More

Membership includes:

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Networking

Attendance at exclusive members-only social events

Training

Access to approximately 6 hours of engaging CE trainings annually

Referrals

Participation in our active clinical listserv for sharing referrals and resources; a featured listing in our online provider directory, which our Warmline uses for referrals

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