Finding Clarity and Relief in Perinatal Mental Health
You deserve to feel like yourself again. LÉVO provides mental health assessments, accurate diagnosis, and postpartum depression treatment for parents navigating pregnancy and early parenthood.
You Aren't Overreacting, and You Aren't Alone
1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experience a perinatal mental health condition. While these struggles are most often associated with mothers, partners and non-birthing parents can also face severe mental health difficulties during this major life transition.
Many parents wait months before seeking postpartum depression treatment because they’re told their feelings will pass, or they feel guilty for struggling, or they simply can’t find available care. But if something feels off, that alone is enough reason to schedule an assessment.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
“Perinatal” refers to the time during pregnancy and the first year after giving birth. The challenges during this time go far beyond standard mood fluctuations. Conditions included under the perinatal mental health umbrella include:
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Prenatal depression and anxiety (during pregnancy)
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Postpartum depression (PPD)
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Postpartum anxiety
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Postpartum OCD (such as intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the baby)
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Postpartum rage and irritability
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Birth trauma and PTSD related to delivery
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Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in partners and non-birthing parents
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
It’s incredibly common to feel tearful, overwhelmed, or emotionally fragile in the first week or two after having a baby. This brief period of hormonal fluctuation and exhaustion is often called the “baby blues,” and it usually resolves on its own within a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression (PPD), on the other hand, lasts for weeks or months and tends to be more intense. If these feelings make it difficult to function and care for yourself or your baby, it may be time to seek postpartum depression treatment.
Like all kinds of depression, postpartum depression is treatable. Struggling with PPD is also a very common experience. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests implementing Postpartum Depression screenings at the 1, 2, 4, and 6-month well-child visits because the diagnosis is missed about 50% of the time.
Signs and Symptoms of Perinatal Mood Conditions
- Sadness, anxiety, or anger that doesn’t go away
- Feeling worthless, helpless, guilty, or hopeless
- Feeling distant or disconnected from your baby
- Crying more than usual or feeling unable to cry
- Low energy or exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Eating much more or much less than usual
- Trouble sleeping even when the baby is sleeping
- Constant doubts about your ability as a parent
- Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to your baby
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby
LÉVO’s Approach to Perinatal Care
At LÉVO, we look beyond isolated symptoms to understand how physical experiences, thoughts, and emotions connect. Our approach to postpartum depression treatment is focused on treating each individual as a whole:
1. Assessment
We provide a full 60-minute initial evaluation, giving you much more time to be heard than standard clinics offer.
2. Diagnosis and Clarity
We take the time to identify the biological, psychological, and social drivers of your well-being for the most accurate diagnosis.
3. Holistic Treatment Plan
Instead of merely sending you away with a quick prescription, we build a clear path forward that addresses the systems creating the symptoms.
Treatment Options and Collaborative Care
Treatment with medication doesn’t have to be the answer, but therapy and medication used together have been shown to be effective. A personalized postpartum depression treatment plan may include some combination of:
- Medication Management: Responsible oversight of psychiatric medications when appropriate, to ensure optimal effectiveness.
- Therapy Coordination: While we provide supportive therapy during visits, we do not replace your long-term counselor. We collaborate closely with your OB, therapist, and primary care provider.
- Lifestyle and Behavioral Strategies: Non-medication tools to navigate daily challenges.
Why Choose LÉVO for Perinatal Mental Health Care
Our approach is all about getting you the right care exactly when you need it. Here’s why so many choose LÉVO for support during pregnancy and postpartum:
Same-Week and Same-Day Appointments
Immediate access when you need support, so you won't have to struggle for weeks or months while you wait.
60-Minute Initial Assessments
Time for real connection and comprehensive evaluation.
Bio-Psycho-Social Evaluation
A whole-person focus that looks at your mind, body, and circumstances.
Experienced Psychiatric Providers
Specialists highly experienced in perinatal mood and anxiety conditions.
Perinatal Mental Health Care Across Utah
LÉVO is a Utah-based, locally operated mental health clinic. With multiple office locations from the Wasatch Front to St. George, we’re in touch with all the cultural quirks of our state.
Utah has higher-than-average rates of maternal depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, there’s also an intense cultural pressure many Utah parents feel to push through their struggles alone and keep up appearances. You don’t have to put on a brave face here. We offer the postpartum depression treatment you need in a safe, validating environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after birth can postpartum depression start?
Symptoms can begin within the first few weeks after delivery, but they can also surface several months into your baby’s first year. If it ever feels like too much, don’t second guess before reaching out. It’s never a bad time to seek support.
Can I breastfeed while taking medication for postpartum depression?
Yes, there are many safe medication options available for nursing parents. Our psychiatric nurse practitioners will carefully review the safest choices for you and your baby while formulating your postpartum depression treatment plan.
Can postpartum depression start during pregnancy?
While the term implies it begins after birth, many parents experience severe depression and anxiety during pregnancy (often referred to as prenatal depression).
Do partners and non-birthing parents experience perinatal mental health conditions?
Absolutely. The transition to parenthood brings immense psychological, financial, and emotional shifts, making partners and non-birthing parents highly vulnerable to anxiety and depression as well.
Do I need a referral from my OB to schedule with LÉVO?
No referral needed. You can schedule directly with us, and we often have same-day or next-day availability.
Rediscover Joy in Parenting
The weight of early parenthood is heavy, but it’s possible to begin feeling like yourself again. We’re here to provide the support and clarity you need in postpartum depression treatment. Feeling whole starts with an assessment.