The Overlooked Reality: Postpartum Depression After IVF – A Therapist’s Personal Story
When I began my journey through IVF, I was already a licensed therapist—trained, experienced, and deeply passionate about supporting others through life’s toughest moments. But nothing truly prepared me for the emotional aftermath that followed the birth of my child. I had imagined that once the long, complicated road of fertility treatment ended with a healthy baby in my arms, the clouds would lift. What I didn’t anticipate was that postpartum depression (PPD) could still find its way in.
IVF Doesn’t “Protect” You From Postpartum Depression
There’s a common misconception that parents who conceive through IVF should only feel grateful. After all, you worked so hard to get here, right? But the truth is, PPD doesn’t discriminate. In fact, the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatments can increase vulnerability to postpartum mood disorders. The hormonal shifts, the emotional letdown after the high-stakes IVF process, and the unrelenting pressure to be joyful can all compound an already difficult transition into new parenthood.
As a therapist, I knew the signs. I knew how to counsel clients through PPD. But experiencing it firsthand—while also showing up to hold space for others in my practice—was isolating and overwhelming. I had to navigate feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, and exhaustion, all while trying to reconcile the internal message of “You should be happy” with the very real emotional storm I was facing.
Balancing Motherhood and Mental Health Work
The work I do at Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting is deeply personal. As someone who has experienced infertility, IVF, and postpartum depression, I know just how multifaceted this journey can be. I also know how critical it is to have support that acknowledges the full scope of what you're going through—not just the physical, but the emotional, relational, and spiritual pieces as well.
Working with clients while I was experiencing postpartum depression gave me a new level of empathy and insight. It deepened my commitment to creating a space where perinatal mental health is taken seriously and treated with the nuance and compassion it deserves.
Turning Experience Into Purpose
My journey through IVF and postpartum depression didn’t just change me—it changed the way I show up in my work. It brought new clarity to the kind of care people deserve during life’s most tender, complicated transitions. These experiences became the foundation for how I reshaped my practice.
At Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting, I’ve built a space where clients can bring all of their truth—grief, joy, fear, ambivalence, gratitude, overwhelm—without being judged or rushed toward a silver lining. I know how lonely and disorienting the postpartum period can be, especially after fertility challenges. I also know how powerful it can be to feel seen and supported by someone who gets it.
That’s why I’m pursuing certification in perinatal mental health and why I’ve made it my mission to support individuals and families navigating infertility, postpartum transitions, and parenting with medical or mental health complexities. My personal experience isn’t just part of my story—it’s now part of the heartbeat of Resilient Roots.
If this resonates with you, please know:
It’s okay to not be okay, even after the long-awaited baby arrives.
Your gratitude and your struggle can coexist.
Reaching out for help is not a weakness—it’s resilience in action.
Let’s rewrite the narrative around IVF, postpartum, and maternal mental health—together.
