Prenatal & Postpartum Counseling | Kate McReynolds, LMHC | Orlando

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Free Phone Consultation

Mother Baby Bonding

Moms need support, and

you're in the right place.

If pregnancy or childbirth didn't go how you envisioned...

If the transition into motherhood feels more

overwhelming than you thought it would...

If you're recovering from a traumatic birth experience or

grieving the loss of your baby...

If you have thoughts that leave you feeling anxious or depressed...

You are not alone.

Did You Know?

Depression can onset during pregnancy, and about 15% of people experience depression after giving birth.

Up to 10% of people develop significant anxiety during pregnancy or the postpartum period.

1 in 3 people report having a traumatic birth, and nearly 1 in 10 people experience symptoms of postpartum PTSD.

Maternal Mental Health Matters.

Mother Holding Baby

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#grounded #breath #motherhood #breathe #momlife #stress #parenting #momsofinstagram #birth #postpartum #pregnancy #toddlerlife #fatherhood #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #ppd #ppa

🤍

#grounded #breath #motherhood #breathe #momlife #stress #parenting #momsofinstagram #birth #postpartum #pregnancy #toddlerlife #fatherhood #postpartumdepression #postpartumanxiety #ppd #ppa

What are some of yours? ✨

#motherhood #momlife #selfcare #parenting #parentingtips #momsofinstagram #maternalmentalhealth #pregnancy #birth #postpartum

What are some of yours? ✨

#motherhood #momlife #selfcare #parenting #parentingtips #momsofinstagram #maternalmentalhealth #pregnancy #birth #postpartum

So many mothers say that meeting basic needs—like food, hygiene, sleep, alone time, etc.—feels like a significant self-care practice. I think that speaks volumes about how overworked mothers are and how little our society values maternal wellness.

Do these basic needs replenish us and help us feel good? Of course—but they’re physiological regulators, and they’re not meant to be the only things moms should rely on or be limited to in order to access a reset.

They’re survival needs, not a one size fits all self-care package.

All parents deserve to have those basic needs met AND ample opportunities to engage in additional forms of self-nurturing.

But many don’t get the latter.

If this resonates with you, please know—it’s not your fault, and it’s not just you. There are so many systemic factors that have made this the norm, but you deserve more.

Have you experienced this in motherhood? Share in the comments ⬇️✨

#motherhood #momsofinstagram #maternalmentalhealth #momlife #momselfcare #momssupportingmoms #womensupportingwomen #parenting #marriage #relationships #parentsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #pregnancy #postpartum #birth

So many mothers say that meeting basic needs—like food, hygiene, sleep, alone time, etc.—feels like a significant self-care practice. I think that speaks volumes about how overworked mothers are and how little our society values maternal wellness.

Do these basic needs replenish us and help us feel good? Of course—but they’re physiological regulators, and they’re not meant to be the only things moms should rely on or be limited to in order to access a reset.

They’re survival needs, not a one size fits all self-care package.

All parents deserve to have those basic needs met AND ample opportunities to engage in additional forms of self-nurturing.

But many don’t get the latter.

If this resonates with you, please know—it’s not your fault, and it’s not just you. There are so many systemic factors that have made this the norm, but you deserve more.

Have you experienced this in motherhood? Share in the comments ⬇️✨

#motherhood #momsofinstagram #maternalmentalhealth #momlife #momselfcare #momssupportingmoms #womensupportingwomen #parenting #marriage #relationships #parentsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #pregnancy #postpartum #birth

Some things I feel – maybe you do, too.

✨Inspiration from @jessurlichs "Some things I know"

#motherhood #momlife #bigfeelings #mommylife #maternalmentalhealth #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #breathe #breatheinbreatheout

Some things I feel – maybe you do, too.

✨Inspiration from @jessurlichs "Some things I know"

#motherhood #momlife #bigfeelings #mommylife #maternalmentalhealth #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #breathe #breatheinbreatheout

Society talks about moms “losing themselves” in motherhood like it’s a personal failure — as if fading from their passions and struggling to prioritize themselves is something they did wrong.

But it's not a fair description of what's actually happening. It’s like shaming someone for making a wrong turn when they were never given a map or even told the destination.

It's phrased as if mothers did this to themselves, chose the path toward burnout and identity crisis.
As if they aren't being pulled in a thousand different directions, always away from themselves.
As if they don’t live in a patriarchal society that demands the maximum amount of labor from them with minimum support.

Let’s call it what it actually is—
Moms don’t get lost in motherhood.
Society abandons them there.

And once they enter motherhood, society expects them to thrive while trying to meet unrealistic standards and navigate oppressive barriers, like:

❤️‍🔥 No paid family leave
❤️‍🔥 Limited workplace flexibility
❤️‍🔥 The motherhood penalty
❤️‍🔥 Lack of affordable childcare
❤️‍🔥 Inadequate breastfeeding support (plus criticism for breastfeeding in public, or for not breastfeeding at all)
❤️‍🔥 Poor postpartum medical care
❤️‍🔥 Poor postpartum mental healthcare
❤️‍🔥 Loss of reproductive rights
❤️‍🔥 Restricted access to reproductive healthcare
❤️‍🔥 The crushing weight of domestic and emotional labor
❤️‍🔥 Relentless judgment on parenting choices
❤️‍🔥 Constant negative comparison to other mothers
❤️‍🔥 Lack of true village support

It's time to stop blaming moms for society's shortcomings, and to change the narrative on being "lost in motherhood." It's not a personal failure--it's a systemic one.

Does this resonate? I'd love to hear your thoughts 💭

✨Post inspiration from @feminist.mom.therapist

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birth #parenting #listentowomen #momsofinstagram #breastfeeding #mentalload #mentalloadofmotherhood #emotionallabor

Society talks about moms “losing themselves” in motherhood like it’s a personal failure — as if fading from their passions and struggling to prioritize themselves is something they did wrong.

But it's not a fair description of what's actually happening. It’s like shaming someone for making a wrong turn when they were never given a map or even told the destination.

It's phrased as if mothers did this to themselves, chose the path toward burnout and identity crisis.
As if they aren't being pulled in a thousand different directions, always away from themselves.
As if they don’t live in a patriarchal society that demands the maximum amount of labor from them with minimum support.

Let’s call it what it actually is—
Moms don’t get lost in motherhood.
Society abandons them there.

And once they enter motherhood, society expects them to thrive while trying to meet unrealistic standards and navigate oppressive barriers, like:

❤️‍🔥 No paid family leave
❤️‍🔥 Limited workplace flexibility
❤️‍🔥 The motherhood penalty
❤️‍🔥 Lack of affordable childcare
❤️‍🔥 Inadequate breastfeeding support (plus criticism for breastfeeding in public, or for not breastfeeding at all)
❤️‍🔥 Poor postpartum medical care
❤️‍🔥 Poor postpartum mental healthcare
❤️‍🔥 Loss of reproductive rights
❤️‍🔥 Restricted access to reproductive healthcare
❤️‍🔥 The crushing weight of domestic and emotional labor
❤️‍🔥 Relentless judgment on parenting choices
❤️‍🔥 Constant negative comparison to other mothers
❤️‍🔥 Lack of true village support

It's time to stop blaming moms for society's shortcomings, and to change the narrative on being "lost in motherhood." It's not a personal failure--it's a systemic one.

Does this resonate? I'd love to hear your thoughts 💭

✨Post inspiration from @feminist.mom.therapist

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birth #parenting #listentowomen #momsofinstagram #breastfeeding #mentalload #mentalloadofmotherhood #emotionallabor

A little reframe for you 💜

#motherhood #momlife #postpartum #sorrynotsorry #peoplepleaser #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #pregnancy #ppd #ppa #birthtrauma #maternalmentalhealth

A little reframe for you 💜

#motherhood #momlife #postpartum #sorrynotsorry #peoplepleaser #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #pregnancy #ppd #ppa #birthtrauma #maternalmentalhealth

Was going to think of more but I've met my emotional labor quota for the day 💅🏼

#motherhood #mentalload #emotionallabor #domesticlabor #breastfeeding #prenatal #postpartum #maternalmentalhealth #momssupportingmoms #momsofinstagram

Was going to think of more but I've met my emotional labor quota for the day 💅🏼

#motherhood #mentalload #emotionallabor #domesticlabor #breastfeeding #prenatal #postpartum #maternalmentalhealth #momssupportingmoms #momsofinstagram

They say "enjoy every moment," but when not every moment is enjoyable, that's exactly the kind of pressure that can ironically lead to a less enjoyable motherhood.

It's subtle, but significant.

It's another way society refuses to recognize the emotionally demanding nature of motherhood, ignoring our complex range of human emotion and creating a sense of urgency to focus predominately on one thing--joy.

And when we inevitably fail at that (because it IS an unrealistic ask) we go into overdrive trying to be "better" at enjoying things. This adds even more emotional labor to our plates and robs us of our ability to be truly vulnerable and present, which joy requires.

When every moment feels like a test we have to pass, when we're preoccupied by the pressure to meet an unrealistic standard, we're more likely to experience unpleasant emotions.

Disappointment. Frustration. Impatience. Stress. Exhaustion. Disconnect. Guilt. Shame. You know...NOT joy.

We end up overlooking or missing out on the more subtle and frequent moments of joy.

The truth is--
Some aspects of parenting are just plain unenjoyable and will elicit unpleasant emotions, and that's okay. That's normal.

Not enjoying every moment of motherhood isn't a failure, it's a part of human nature.

So, instead of trying to enjoy every moment, I focus on enjoying the easy moments. The moments when I'm not dysregulated, overstimulated, or sleep deprived--when joy doesn't feel forced.

Dropping the pressure to enjoy all of it can open space to deeply enjoy some of it—and that’s more than enough.

Does this resonate? I'd love to hear your thoughts 💭

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #parenting #enjoyeverymoment #maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birth

They say "enjoy every moment," but when not every moment is enjoyable, that's exactly the kind of pressure that can ironically lead to a less enjoyable motherhood.

It's subtle, but significant.

It's another way society refuses to recognize the emotionally demanding nature of motherhood, ignoring our complex range of human emotion and creating a sense of urgency to focus predominately on one thing--joy.

And when we inevitably fail at that (because it IS an unrealistic ask) we go into overdrive trying to be "better" at enjoying things. This adds even more emotional labor to our plates and robs us of our ability to be truly vulnerable and present, which joy requires.

When every moment feels like a test we have to pass, when we're preoccupied by the pressure to meet an unrealistic standard, we're more likely to experience unpleasant emotions.

Disappointment. Frustration. Impatience. Stress. Exhaustion. Disconnect. Guilt. Shame. You know...NOT joy.

We end up overlooking or missing out on the more subtle and frequent moments of joy.

The truth is--
Some aspects of parenting are just plain unenjoyable and will elicit unpleasant emotions, and that's okay. That's normal.

Not enjoying every moment of motherhood isn't a failure, it's a part of human nature.

So, instead of trying to enjoy every moment, I focus on enjoying the easy moments. The moments when I'm not dysregulated, overstimulated, or sleep deprived--when joy doesn't feel forced.

Dropping the pressure to enjoy all of it can open space to deeply enjoy some of it—and that’s more than enough.

Does this resonate? I'd love to hear your thoughts 💭

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #parenting #enjoyeverymoment #maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birth

Wishing all of you a Mother's Day weekend where you feel seen, supported, and deeply appreciated 🩷

Wishing all of you a Mother's Day weekend where you feel seen, supported, and deeply appreciated 🩷

Spa days and brunch are nice but equitable division of labor at home, affordable childcare, better support for teachers, and accessible maternal healthcare are nicer❣️

Spa days and brunch are nice but equitable division of labor at home, affordable childcare, better support for teachers, and accessible maternal healthcare are nicer❣️

🩷🩷🩷
#maternalmentalhealthawareness
#maternalmentalhealthmonth
#motherhood
#momlife
#postpartum
#postpartumbody
#parenting
#postpartumdepression
#postpartumanxiety
#birthtrauma
#perinatalmentalhealth

🩷🩷🩷
#maternalmentalhealthawareness
#maternalmentalhealthmonth
#motherhood
#momlife
#postpartum
#postpartumbody
#parenting
#postpartumdepression
#postpartumanxiety
#birthtrauma
#perinatalmentalhealth

Send this to them 🫶🏻

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #momfriends #thankful #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #momgang

Send this to them 🫶🏻

#motherhood #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum #momfriends #thankful #momsofinstagram #momssupportingmoms #momgang

Traveling with babies or young children can be quite an undertaking, and it’s not unreasonable to ask for some help with lightening the load.

You deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as anyone else in the family, and these are just a few simple ways I think loved ones could help with that.

What else would you add to the list? ❣️⤵️

#motherhood #postpartum #newborn #toddler #momlife #travelingwithkids #travelingwithbaby

Traveling with babies or young children can be quite an undertaking, and it’s not unreasonable to ask for some help with lightening the load.

You deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as anyone else in the family, and these are just a few simple ways I think loved ones could help with that.

What else would you add to the list? ❣️⤵️

#motherhood #postpartum #newborn #toddler #momlife #travelingwithkids #travelingwithbaby

Save this for later, because holiday season = boundary season 🙅🏼‍♀️

#momlife #motherhood #maternalmentalhealth #boundaries #holidays #momsofinstagram #pregnancy #postpartum #breastfeeding #birth

Save this for later, because holiday season = boundary season 🙅🏼‍♀️

#momlife #motherhood #maternalmentalhealth #boundaries #holidays #momsofinstagram #pregnancy #postpartum #breastfeeding #birth

I think a lot of us could use this reminder right now. 🩶

I think a lot of us could use this reminder right now. 🩶

✨ boo ✨

#motherhood #momlife #postpartum #mentalload #momhumor #maternalmentalhealth #pregnancy #momsofinstagram

✨ boo ✨

#motherhood #momlife #postpartum #mentalload #momhumor #maternalmentalhealth #pregnancy #momsofinstagram

It always stops me in my tracks when I think about how motherhood can take me to my wit’s end and also take my breath away. Can you relate? ❤️‍🔥

Follow @the.mom.therapist for maternal mental health and supportive mom humor!

#motherhood #pregnant #postpartum #ppd #ppa #momlife #momsofinstagram

It always stops me in my tracks when I think about how motherhood can take me to my wit’s end and also take my breath away. Can you relate? ❤️‍🔥

Follow @the.mom.therapist for maternal mental health and supportive mom humor!

#motherhood #pregnant #postpartum #ppd #ppa #momlife #momsofinstagram

The idea of the ‘good mother’ as a ‘happy mother’ is making it hard for moms to actually feel good about themselves and have happy motherhood experiences.

Pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and motherhood in general are all emotionally and physically demanding experiences, yet mothers are constantly encouraged to stay within the range of pleasant emotions through it all.

There’s a stigma surrounding mothers who don’t encounter the socially accepted norms of motherhood – things like loving pregnancy, having a positive birth experience, bonding immediately with their newborn, living without mental health issues like PPD or PPA, etc. When mothers have negative or unpleasant experiences that don’t reflect society’s ideals, it seems as though they no longer belong in that ‘happy mother’ category; they no longer fit the ‘good mother’ mold. It seems as though they aren’t moving through motherhood how they’re ’supposed to,’ and their sense of safety in sharing those experiences is impacted by a fear of being labeled as a ‘failed mother.’ They may struggle in silence vs. seek support, which can isolate them, intensify their initial challenges, and feed even more into the stigma.

I think we as a society need to recognize how demanding pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period + beyond can be, and we need to be very mindful of the emotional expectations we place on mothers during these major life transitions. We need to acknowledge how the unrealistic pressure to navigate every motherhood phase with an unwavering sense of joy—the pressure to be happy above all else—can actually contribute to perinatal depression and anxiety.

I also think we need to remember the sense of relief, solidarity, and hope that’s felt when our difficult experiences are validated instead of minimized or ignored. Sometimes all it takes is a simple, “This a really difficult thing you’re going through, and there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling this way,” to change the course of someone’s mental health journey.

Maybe if we allowed mothers the space to feel bad sometimes, they might actually feel good.

#maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birthtrauma #postpartum #pregnancy #momlife

The idea of the ‘good mother’ as a ‘happy mother’ is making it hard for moms to actually feel good about themselves and have happy motherhood experiences.

Pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and motherhood in general are all emotionally and physically demanding experiences, yet mothers are constantly encouraged to stay within the range of pleasant emotions through it all.

There’s a stigma surrounding mothers who don’t encounter the socially accepted norms of motherhood – things like loving pregnancy, having a positive birth experience, bonding immediately with their newborn, living without mental health issues like PPD or PPA, etc. When mothers have negative or unpleasant experiences that don’t reflect society’s ideals, it seems as though they no longer belong in that ‘happy mother’ category; they no longer fit the ‘good mother’ mold. It seems as though they aren’t moving through motherhood how they’re ’supposed to,’ and their sense of safety in sharing those experiences is impacted by a fear of being labeled as a ‘failed mother.’ They may struggle in silence vs. seek support, which can isolate them, intensify their initial challenges, and feed even more into the stigma.

I think we as a society need to recognize how demanding pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period + beyond can be, and we need to be very mindful of the emotional expectations we place on mothers during these major life transitions. We need to acknowledge how the unrealistic pressure to navigate every motherhood phase with an unwavering sense of joy—the pressure to be happy above all else—can actually contribute to perinatal depression and anxiety.

I also think we need to remember the sense of relief, solidarity, and hope that’s felt when our difficult experiences are validated instead of minimized or ignored. Sometimes all it takes is a simple, “This a really difficult thing you’re going through, and there’s nothing wrong with you for feeling this way,” to change the course of someone’s mental health journey.

Maybe if we allowed mothers the space to feel bad sometimes, they might actually feel good.

#maternalmentalhealth #ppd #ppa #birthtrauma #postpartum #pregnancy #momlife

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