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Pregnancy, Postpartum & Birth Trauma Therapy – Charlotte, NC

Support for every stage of the journey — pre‑pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early parenting

Pregnancy, Postpartum
& Birth Trauma

Because a healthy baby isn't ALL that matters.

Start your healing journey today

Specialized support for childbirth trauma and pregnancy or postpartum mental health

I supported families as a childbirth doula and educator for over a decade before becoming a therapist specializing in trauma and perinatal mental health. For 20 years, I have walked alongside people through infertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and early parenthood. I understand how deeply reproductive experiences can shape your identity, your relationships, and your sense of self. Whether you’re recovering from a traumatic birth, struggling with postpartum depression, or navigating complex pregnancy decisions, you deserve a safe space where you are heard, supported, and uniquely understood.

Supporting All Stages of Maternal Mental Health

Support for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, infertility, and perinatal trauma

Couple looking at a pregnancy test

Pre-Pregnancy

Infertility stressors
Pregnancy loss, miscarriage & grief
Surrogacy & adoption journeys
Reproductive decision-making

Pregnant person receiving an ultrasound scan

Prenatal

Prenatal anxiety & depression
Pregnancy after loss
High-risk pregnancy stressors
Fear of birth or medical procedures

Person holding their abdomen during childbirth

Birth & Postpartum

Childbirth trauma
Postpartum depression & anxiety
Bonding & attachment difficulties
NICU trauma & separation

Two adults caring for a newborn

Parenting

Identity shifts & lifestyle changes
Relationship challenges
Parenting after trauma
Trauma-informed Early Parenting

Maternal mental health challenges often show up in quiet, unexpected ways. You might feel anxious during pregnancy, disconnected after birth, overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, or unsure how to bond with your baby. Maybe your birth experience was traumatic, or you’re grieving a loss no one talks about. These moments can leave you feeling isolated, ashamed, or like you’re failing — even when you’re doing everything you can.

Maybe it's not "just the baby blues."

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Adult sitting on a couch holding a baby on the Pregnancy Postpartum Birth Trauma page

They’re signs that your nervous system is overwhelmed, not that you’re failing as a parent.

Prenatal & Postpartum Depression

  • Persistent sadness or frequent crying
  • Irritability or emotional numbness
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Loss of interest in things you would normally enjoy
  • Sleep Difficulties (not related to baby's needs)
  • Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
  • Feeling ambivalent, detached or resentful of your pregnancy and/or baby
  • Feelings of dread about birth or parenting
  • Avoiding or struggling to care for your baby
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Prenatal & Postpartum Anxiety

  • Constant worry or racing thoughts
  • Hyper-fixation on baby's needs
  • Fear of being separated from your baby
  • Intense fear something bad may happen to your baby
  • Fear or refusal to let others care for your baby
  • Trouble sleeping despite exhaustion
  • Irritability, restlessness, or inability to relax
  • Difficulty concentrating or feeling “on edge”
  • (Prenatal) Intense anxiety or fear of birth or medical procedures
Angela Hathaway traumainformed therapist in Charlotte NC standing outdoors in natural light

From Doula to Therapist - Why I do this work

My passion for supporting moms with a history of traumatic childbirth is what led me to become a therapist.

Yes, witnessing babies being born was incredible — but it was the look on a mother’s face as she birthed her baby, realizing her own strength and learning to trust her body again, that’s what inspired me most. I lived for those moments. I could do that part all day — so I did.

Now, I specialize in birth trauma and perinatal mental health, helping mothers heal emotionally, reconnect with their bodies, and rediscover their power.

Services

Blog

The Mental (Health) Breakdown

Clients Say

I felt so broken after the birth of my son. Angela’s knowledge of both childbirth and mental health helped me feel like someone finally, truly understood me.​

A.R.

Client, 2022

From the Blog

Is it Postpartum Depression?
Or is it Postpartum PTSD?

When new parents struggle emotionally after birth, the default assumption is often postpartum depression or anxiety. But for many, the deeper issue is trauma — especially after a difficult or distressing or unexpected birth. Postpartum PTSD can look a lot like depression or anxiety, which means it’s often missed, even by providers who care deeply.

You might be prescribed medication or told to “get more sleep,” while the trauma itself goes unrecognized. If you’re having flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or avoiding reminders of your birth experience, it may be more than PPD. It may be postpartum PTSD. And you deserve care that sees the full picture.

In fact, over 30% of new mothers report feeling traumatized during childbirth, and 1 in 5 report mistreatment during their birth experience. Yet childbirth trauma remains one of the most unrecognized and untreated maternal mental health issues.

Maternal mental health conditions, are the most common complication of pregnancy and birth — and they’re often untreated.

You’re not alone. I’m here to help.

New father holding a newborn in a hospital room on the Pregnancy Postpartum Birth Trauma page

What about Dad?

While maternal mental health often takes center stage, fathers can also experience depression, anxiety, and trauma after the birth of a child. In fact, 1 in 10 dads experience postpartum depression — though it often goes unnoticed. Symptoms may include irritability, withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, and feelings of hopelessness.
If you’re a dad struggling with your mental health, know that you’re not alone. Support is available — and you deserve care too.

Support is available, and there’s help for you too →

Graphic showing that one in five mothers experience postpartum mental health complications

1 in 5 mothers experience mental health complications after childbirth. That’s 800,000 families each year.

Circular chart showing the percentage of postpartum mental health complications that go untreated

75% of those mothers go untreated, increasing the risk of long-term impacts on mothers, babies, and families.

22%

22% of maternal deaths are linked to mental health conditions – making them a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths

Risk Factors for Perinatal Depression, Anxiety & PTSD

Icon representing personal history factors

Personal History

Past trauma and mental health struggles can shape how you experience pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

  • Childhood Abuse / Neglect
  • Sexual Violence Trauma
  • Domestic Violence (past or current)
  • Prior Traumatic Childbirth
  • History of other mental health issues (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, BPD, etc.)
Icon representing relational and social stressors

Relational & Social Stressors

Stress in your relationships, finances, or support system can make the perinatal period feel overwhelming.

Icon representing perinatalspecific factors

Perinatal-specific Factors

Even common birth and postpartum experiences — like epidurals, cesareans, or closely spaced pregnancies — can disrupt hormones, bonding, and recovery in ways that often go unrecognized.

  • Unplanned Pregnancy
  • Under age 25
  • Inadequate prenatal care
  • Infertility (even if the current pregnancy was not medically conceived)
  • History of miscarraige or termination (at any gestation)
  • Pregnancies <18 months apart (including miscarriage or termination)
  • Twin (or more) pregnancy
  • Medically Complicated Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth
  • Very rapid or very long labor
  • Certain labor interventions (induction, epidural, etc.)
  • Unplanned or unwanted interventions (including cesarean birth)
  • NICU Separation
  • Infant with medical needs
  • Breastfeeding Challenges

Support is here when you’re ready.

Let’s do this together

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