Let’s be honest here… If you’re a mom there’s no doubt you’ve experienced guilt related to your role as a mother at some point. With the insurmountable expectations and demands put on mothers its almost inherent that we feel guilt for not being able to do it all.

If you’re feeling that motherhood is harder than you ever imagined it to be, and perhaps tougher than anyone warned you, you’re not alone. There’s never been a time that being a parent has been harder. It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an immense burden for parents. At times it’s made childcare near impossible, our fears about illness soar, and introduced a whole new ballgame of the juggling act that already feels nearly impossible.

This is a common question asked by both therapists and patients alike. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that EMDR is contraindicated during any stage of pregnancy. In fact, untreated mental health conditions appear to be more detrimental to both mother and fetus or infant that far outweigh and negative effects of treatment. While some treatments have adverse side effects that can negatively impact the developing fetus, there’s no evidence that leads experts to believe that this is true for EMDR therapy.

While there is some level of nervousness, worry, and anxiety that comes with the transition to parenthood (and is healthy and adaptive), we’re seeing an increase in postpartum anxiety at clinical levels—causing levels of distress and impairment that interfere with daily functioning. It’s estimated that about 10% of mothers develop anxiety during the postpartum period.