Early motherhood can look fine on the outside while you feel completely different on the inside. You might love your baby and still feel anxious, flat, overwhelmed, or not like yourself. When symptoms show up weeks—or even months—after birth, it could be postpartum depression.
Chrissy Teigen’s postpartum experience brought visibility to this reality, reminding many mothers that postpartum mental health challenges are common, complex, and worth taking seriously. Her openness has helped expand the conversation beyond “baby blues” and toward a deeper understanding of how childbirth affects brain health, emotional regulation, and recovery.
At Neurotherapeutix in New York City, we focus on brain-based, personalized mental health care. Using fMRI-guided TMS therapy and fMRI-based computational brain mapping, our team helps identify the neural circuits involved in mood disorders and develop individualized treatment plans that reflect each patient’s unique brain function.
To learn more about personalized care for postpartum mental health, contact our team or continue reading below.
Chrissy Teigen’s postpartum experience explained
Chrissy Teigen, model and television personality, has been candid about experiencing postpartum depression since the birth of her daughter, Luna. What stood out to many mothers was not only her honesty but the timing of her symptoms.
In interviews and essays, Teigen shared that her postpartum depression did not appear immediately. Instead, symptoms emerged months after childbirth, during a period when many women feel pressure to be “back to normal.” She described feeling emotionally flat, disconnected, physically exhausted, and unsure why daily life felt so heavy despite having support and resources.
Her experience highlights an important truth: postpartum mental health symptoms do not follow a single timeline, and delayed onset is more common than many people realize.
Understanding postpartum mental health and mood disorders
Postpartum mental health exists on a spectrum. While temporary emotional shifts are common after birth, some symptoms persist, intensify, or interfere with daily functioning.
Postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood shifts
Postpartum depression and anxiety are medical conditions that can affect emotional regulation, motivation, sleep, appetite, and stress response. Symptoms may include persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, numbness, racing thoughts, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others.
According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression, and symptoms can appear anytime within the first year after childbirth—not just in the early weeks.
How postpartum mood disorders affect daily life
Postpartum mood disorders can quietly reshape daily routines. Tasks that once felt manageable may feel exhausting. Social connection can feel overwhelming. Some mothers withdraw to cope, while others push through at the cost of their own well-being.
When these patterns persist, they can affect bonding, confidence, relationships, and long-term mental health if left unaddressed.
The overlooked role of brain health in postpartum mental wellness
Postpartum mental health is often discussed in emotional or hormonal terms, but brain health also plays a critical role in how symptoms develop and resolve.
Effects of childbirth on brain health and function
Pregnancy and childbirth involve significant neurological adaptation. Brain networks related to emotion, stress regulation, empathy, and threat detection reorganize to support caregiving demands. For some women, these changes can temporarily disrupt emotional balance or resilience.
Hormonal changes and their impact on the brain
Rapid shifts in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and oxytocin influence neurotransmitter systems involved in mood regulation. These hormonal changes interact directly with brain circuits responsible for motivation, anxiety, and emotional control.
When regulation does not rebalance smoothly, mood symptoms may persist.
The neuroscience behind postpartum depression
Research published in the National Library of Medicine suggests postpartum depression is associated with altered activity in brain regions involved in emotional processing, reward, and stress response. These patterns can vary significantly between individuals, which helps explain why symptoms and recovery timelines look different for each mother.
How brain health affects postpartum mental health
Understanding postpartum mental health through a brain-based lens can help explain symptoms that feel confusing or difficult to articulate.
The link between brain changes and postpartum depression
Changes in functional connectivity—how different brain regions communicate—may contribute to persistent low mood, anxiety, or emotional blunting. These patterns are not visible through standard exams but can be identified through advanced neuroimaging.
Brain health challenges that many mothers don’t recognize
Many mothers assume their symptoms are personal failures or signs they are “not coping well enough.” In reality, these experiences often reflect how the brain is adapting, or struggling to adapt, after childbirth.
Recognizing this can reduce self-blame and open the door to more effective care.
Maternal mental health treatment options
Postpartum mental health care should reflect both emotional experience and biological reality.
Traditional and holistic approaches
Treatment for postpartum mental health conditions often depends on the specific symptoms and diagnosis.
For postpartum depression, care may include structured psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy, which focus on mood regulation, thought patterns, and adjustment to new roles.
Postpartum anxiety may be addressed through therapy that targets fear response, rumination, and stress management, sometimes alongside short-term medication when appropriate.
Lifestyle-based supports are often used in combination with clinical care and may include sleep stabilization, nutritional support, gradual reintroduction of physical activity, and stress-reduction techniques.
Counseling and mental health coaching can also help mothers process identity shifts, relationship changes, and the emotional demands of early parenthood.
While these approaches can be effective, especially when started early, their impact can vary, and some mothers continue to experience symptoms that reflect underlying challenges in brain-based regulation.
When to seek postpartum depression support
If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, worsen over time, or interfere with daily life, seeking professional evaluation is an important step. Support is not a sign of weakness—it is part of recovery.
fMRI-guided TMS therapy for postpartum depression: A brain-based approach
For mothers whose symptoms reflect underlying neural dysregulation, fMRI-guided TMS therapy offers a personalized, non-invasive option.
How fMRI-guided TMS therapy works for brain-based mood disorders
At Neurotherapeutix, treatment begins with fMRI-based computational brain mapping, which identifies functional connectivity patterns involved in mood, stress response, and emotional regulation. This allows clinicians to pinpoint the specific circuits contributing to symptoms.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is then applied with millimeter-level precision to support healthier neural communication. Unlike medication, this approach does not affect the entire system.
Benefits of fMRI-guided TMS therapy for maternal mental health
For many mothers, this approach:
- • Supports brain function without medication
- • Targets symptom-related circuits directly
- • Is non-invasive and outpatient-based
- • Can be used alongside therapy and lifestyle support
Outcomes vary, but many patients experience meaningful symptom improvement when care is guided by individualized brain data.
Why more mothers are considering TMS therapy in New York City
As awareness of postpartum brain health grows, more mothers are seeking options that feel personalized, data-informed, and compatible with long-term well-being, especially when traditional approaches have not provided enough relief.
Chrissy Teigen’s story and the importance of speaking up
Public conversations about postpartum mental health matter, especially when they reduce shame and encourage earlier support.
Reducing stigma around postpartum mental health
Teigen’s willingness to name her experience helped counter harmful myths that postpartum depression only affects certain people or looks one specific way.
How celebrity experiences help normalize the conversation
When well-known figures speak openly, it creates permission for others to do the same. Visibility helps postpartum mental health be recognized as a legitimate medical condition—not a personal weakness.
Effective brain-based treatments at Neurotherapeutix in NYC
Choosing postpartum mental health care can feel overwhelming, especially if symptoms don’t fit expectations. You deserve care that reflects how your brain actually functions.
Neurotherapeutix is located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and is the first and only clinic in the United States offering patented fMRI-guided TMS therapy. Our expert-led team combines advanced neuroimaging with compassionate care to support maternal mental health at the circuit level.
If you are exploring personalized treatment options, contact our team to learn more or request an appointment today.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding postpartum mental health and treatment options can feel overwhelming. These answers address common questions to help you make informed, confident decisions about next steps.
How does childbirth affect a mother’s brain health?
Pregnancy and childbirth involve neurological changes that affect emotional regulation, stress response, and connectivity. These changes are part of adaptation but may contribute to symptoms for some mothers.
Can postpartum depression occur months after giving birth?
Yes. Postpartum depression can emerge weeks or months after delivery, which often leads to delayed recognition and treatment.
Is TMS therapy safe for breastfeeding mothers?
TMS therapy is non-invasive and does not involve medication. Your care team will review your individual situation to determine suitability.
How do hormonal changes contribute to postpartum anxiety?
Hormonal shifts influence neurotransmitter systems and stress-response circuits in the brain, which can heighten anxiety in vulnerable individuals.
