Is This Normal… or Is Something Wrong With Me?
Real Questions About Perinatal Mental Health
If you’ve ever typed a question into Reddit at 2 a.m. wondering “Is this normal or am I broken?” you are not alone. Thousands of parents and parents-to-be ask these same questions every day, often quietly and with a lot of shame.
Below are real questions people ask online about perinatal mental health, with answers grounded in compassion, validation, and clinical understanding.
“Is it possible to have PPD while pregnant?”
Yes it is possible to experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy, and having these feelings while pregnant does not mean you’re failing or doing something wrong.
When someone asks “Is it possible to have PPD while pregnant?” what they’re often really asking is: Why do I feel so low when I’m supposed to be excited?
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can show up during pregnancy or after birth, and early support can make a meaningful difference.
“I feel like I’m drowning and my baby isn’t even here yet… has this happened to anyone?”
Yes. Many people feel overwhelmed, panicked, or emotionally flooded before birth, especially if there’s a history of anxiety, trauma, fertility struggles, or high expectations placed on parenthood.
Feeling like you’re “drowning” doesn’t mean you’re weak it often means your nervous system is overloaded and asking for care.
“I don’t feel excited or happy , am I broken?”
If you’re asking “Am I broken because I don’t feel excited or happy?” the answer is no—you are not broken.
Not everyone feels joy or connection right away. Emotional numbness, fear, or ambivalence are common perinatal experiences, especially when there’s pressure to feel grateful or glowing.
“Why do I feel guilty like I’m not bonding with my baby?”
Feeling guilty about bonding often shows up when expectations don’t match reality. Bonding is a process, not a moment, and it can take time—sometimes weeks or months.
When someone asks “Why do I feel guilty like I’m not bonding?” it’s usually because they care deeply and are holding themselves to impossible standards.
“I’m in a bad place . I can’t eat or sleep and my days are ruined by anxiety. Is this normal?”
This question comes up constantly—and it’s important to say this gently: this level of anxiety is common, but it’s not something you have to push through alone.
If anxiety is affecting sleep, appetite, or daily functioning, it’s a sign that support could really help, not a sign of personal failure.
“I still don’t love my baby does anyone else feel this?”
Yes. Many people experience delayed attachment, especially after a difficult pregnancy, birth trauma, depression, or exhaustion.
Asking “Does anyone else feel this?” tells us how isolating this experience can be. Love often grows through care, safety, and support not pressure.
“What if I don’t have depression. I just really don’t want to be a mum?”
This is one of the hardest questions to say out loud. Wondering this doesn’t mean you made a mistake it often reflects burnout, loss of identity, or unmet support needs.
Therapy can be a place to explore these feelings safely, without judgment or assumptions.
“If I tell my doctor or therapist how I’m really feeling, will I be judged?”
This fear keeps many people silent. A trained perinatal therapist’s role is not to judge or shame, but to help you feel safer, more supported, and more like yourself again.
At Serenity Counselling, perinatal mental health is approached with care, confidentiality, and respect for your lived experience.
“Is therapy actually helpful for postpartum anxiety or depression?”
Yes therapy is one of the most effective supports for perinatal anxiety, depression, trauma, and intrusive thoughts.
Many clients find relief through evidence-based, body-aware approaches that help calm the nervous system and rebuild trust in themselves. You can learn more about counselling options in the Tri-Cities through our team at Serenity Counselling BC.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Support is available locally and beyond:
Postpartum Support International offers education, groups, and helplines for perinatal mental health: https://www.postpartum.net
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) provides resources and referrals across BC: https://cmha.ca
Book Perinatal Therapy in Port Coquitlam, BC
If these questions sound like your inner dialogue, you don’t have to carry them alone.
Carrie, our perinatal mental health specialist, offers compassionate, non-judgemental therapy for pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. She supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, identity shifts, birth trauma, and overwhelm.
👉 Book a free consultation with Carrie today and take a gentle step toward feeling more supported.
Serving Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Metro Vancouver.
