Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Psychiatry in Philadelphia
Postpartum mental health issues can involve anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, guilt, fear, irritability, or feeling unlike yourself. These symptoms can be especially hard to name when everyone expects the postpartum period to feel joyful or when you are still functioning on the outside but struggling on the inside.
Dr. Laura McLafferty provides thoughtful psychiatric evaluation and treatment for postpartum adults who need clarity, individualized treatment planning, and support navigating emotional symptoms, medication questions, and the transition after childbirth.
You may be here because…
You feel anxious, tearful, overwhelmed, irritable, numb, or unlike yourself right after or even months after delivery.
You cannot relax even when the baby is safe.
You are having intrusive thoughts that feel frightening or out of character.
You are exhausted but unable to sleep or rest when you have the opportunity.
You feel guilty because early parenthood does not feel the way you expected.
You are breastfeeding and have questions about psychiatric medication.
You are preparing to return to work and feel emotionally or cognitively strained.
Why careful psychiatric evaluation matters
Postpartum depression and anxiety can look different from generic sadness or worry. Some patients are tearful or visibly overwhelmed. Others continue to function outwardly while privately struggling with anxiety, irritability, intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, guilt, fear, or a sense that they no longer feel like themselves.
A careful psychiatric evaluation may include mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, sleep, appetite, bonding or connection concerns when relevant, functional impairment, psychiatric history, medication history, pregnancy and delivery context, breastfeeding plans when relevant, support system, safety assessment, and treatment goals.
The goal is not to minimize postpartum symptoms as “normal” or to assume that every symptom is automatically dangerous. The goal is to understand what is happening, assess safety carefully, and develop an individualized treatment plan.
If you are having active thoughts of harming yourself, harming someone else, or harming your baby, do not use the inquiry form. Call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department.
Treatment approach
Treatment recommendations are individualized. Depending on the clinical situation, care may include medication management when indicated, breastfeeding-related risk-benefit discussion, psychotherapy-informed strategies, sleep and support planning, and coordination with therapists, OB/GYNs, primary care physicians, or other clinicians.
Medication decisions during the postpartum period and while breastfeeding require careful discussion of symptoms, prior treatment response, medical factors, infant exposure, patient values, and available alternatives. Website content should not be used to start, stop, continue, or change psychiatric medication.
Postpartum psychiatric care should invite careful evaluation. It should not suggest that postpartum symptoms are mild enough to ignore, nor should it create fear that every postpartum symptom represents an emergency.
Coordinating with your healthcare team
With patient permission, Dr. McLafferty may coordinate with OB/GYNs, therapists, primary care physicians, and other members of the postpartum care team when collaboration supports treatment planning or safety.
This practice provides outpatient psychiatric care. It does not provide emergency postpartum crisis coverage, obstetric care, pediatric care, lactation care, intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, or inpatient care.
Is this practice a good fit?
This practice may be a good fit for postpartum adults who are not in crisis but need outpatient psychiatric evaluation, medication consultation or management, and coordinated care when appropriate.
This practice is not appropriate for urgent postpartum safety concerns. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm, thoughts of harming others, thoughts of harming your baby, psychosis, mania, severe confusion, inability to care for yourself or your baby, or any immediate safety concern, call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department.
The inquiry form should be used only for non-urgent appointment inquiries. It is not monitored continuously and should not be used for crisis situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If anxiety, panic, intrusive thoughts, sleep disruption, irritability, or emotional distress are affecting functioning, relationships, rest, safety, or quality of life, psychiatric evaluation may be appropriate.
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Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, distressing thoughts or images that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They can be frightening and difficult to talk about, especially when they involve harm or safety fears.
Unwanted intrusive thoughts do not necessarily mean that someone wants to act on them. Many people who experience intrusive thoughts are deeply upset by them and have no desire to harm themselves or their baby.
Because safety matters, intrusive thoughts should be discussed openly with a qualified healthcare professional. If you are having active thoughts, urges, intent, or plans to harm yourself, your baby, or anyone else, call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department.
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Medication decisions while breastfeeding require individualized risk-benefit discussion. Evaluation may consider symptoms, prior medication response, medical factors, infant exposure, breastfeeding goals, available alternatives, and patient values.
Patients should not start, stop, or change medication while breastfeeding based only on website information.
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Many patients continue with their therapist while receiving psychiatric care. With permission, collaboration can help align treatment, clarify goals, and support coordinated care.
Taking the next step
Thoughtful postpartum psychiatric care begins with a careful understanding of your symptoms, safety, sleep, support system, treatment history, breastfeeding considerations when relevant, and goals. If you believe the practice may be a good fit, you may submit a brief inquiry.
Educational and emergency disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Reading this page or submitting an inquiry does not establish a physician-patient relationship. This practice does not provide emergency psychiatric services, crisis intervention, or after-hours coverage. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department.