“I worry all the time— isn’t that just part of being a mom?”

If you’ve asked yourself this, you’re not alone. Motherhood does come with a certain level of worry. You’re suddenly responsible for a tiny, vulnerable human—of course your brain is on high alert. There’s actually science to back this feeling up. But sometimes that worry grows louder, heavier, and harder to manage. When it does, it can shift from “new-mom nerves” into postpartum anxiety (PPA).

Normal Worry vs. Postpartum Anxiety

It’s normal to worry as a new mom. Wondering if your baby is eating enough, checking the baby monitor one more time, feeling nervous before leaving your baby for the first time—these are all part of adjusting to a new role.

But postpartum anxiety takes those worries and turns up the volume. It’s persistent and intrusive. Instead of coming and going, the anxiety sticks around and starts interfering with your ability to rest, connect, or feel present.

You don’t need to check every box to “qualify.” If your worry feels unmanageable, it matters.

What Postpartum Anxiety Can Feel Like

For many moms, PPA doesn’t look like what they expected. You might feel like your mind is always racing—planning, anticipating, overanalyzing every little detail. Small decisions can feel overwhelming. You might find yourself googling constantly, double-checking your baby’s breathing, or feeling incapable of relaxing even when everything seems fine.

The anxiety may also show up in your body. You might feel tense or jumpy, your heart may race, and your chest might feel tight. Sleep can become difficult, not because your baby is awake, but because you can’t turn your brain off long enough to rest. You might feel easily irritated or snappy, especially when you're already running on empty.

This isn't just "being a new mom." It's a sign your nervous system is on high alert—and struggling to come back down.

What’s Really Going On Biologically?

You’re not broken—your nervous system and brain are doing what they were designed to do: keep you and your baby safe.

After birth, your brain literally changes. Research shows that the areas of the brain linked to empathy, vigilance, and emotional sensitivity become more active in the postpartum period. These changes are part of what helps you bond with your baby—but they can also make you more prone to anxiety, especially if you’ve had a history of trauma, mood disorders, or chronic stress.

When your nervous system stays in a prolonged state of activation, it can get stuck in hyperarousal—a fight-or-flight state where you're constantly scanning for danger. Even when nothing is wrong, your body feels like something could go wrong at any moment. That’s why you might feel wired, tense, or unable to rest, even during peaceful moments. Understanding that this is a biological response—not a personal failing—can be a powerful first step in healing.

What Helps (and What Healing Can Look Like)

The good news is: you don’t have to live in a constant state of worry forever. Postpartum anxiety is treatable, and support is available in ways that honor both your mind and your body.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched and effective treatments for postpartum anxiety. It focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns, reducing anxious behaviors, and building coping skills that help you feel more in control. CBT can be especially helpful for challenging intrusive thoughts and reframing the pressure to “do it all right.”

At the same time, many new moms benefit from approaches that go beyond talk therapy—especially if anxiety is rooted in past trauma or shows up in the body. Somatic therapy helps you connect with and regulate your nervous system through grounding, movement, breathwork, and sensory tools. EMDR can support you in processing trauma from past experiences, medical procedures, or a difficult birth in a way that’s both efficient and deeply healing.

Sometimes, the right support also includes medication, hormone evaluation, or lifestyle adjustments. Therapy doesn’t mean you’re “broken”—it means you’re showing up for yourself with care. And community matters too. Having just one person in your life who sees you, supports you, and listens without judgment can be a powerful part of the healing process.

You Deserve Support

If you’re stuck in survival mode, always bracing for what might go wrong—please know this: you’re not being dramatic. You’re not weak. You’re not failing. You’re overwhelmed. And you’re doing the best you can with a system that’s asking for care. Therapy can help you come back to yourself. And from that place, it gets easier to connect—to your baby, your life, and the parts of you that might feel far away right now.

✨ At Wise Roots Therapy, I specialize in helping moms regulate, reconnect, and restore after birth and beyond.
Curious what that could look like for you? [Book a free 20-minute consultation ➜ here]