ABSTRACT
Non-birth partners can also experience mood changes when having a baby, and upwards of one in ten dads will have a legitimate diagnosable Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD). Lesbian mothers are at an increased risk for PMADs as well. Even though some partners may not show severe symptoms, it is very common for them to have a rough time adjusting to being a new parent. Unfortunately most people don’t ask partners how they’re doing. Partners are often not supported after having a baby in our society, and this can have an impact on the couple as they head into the journey of parenthood. Both parents need a lot of support right now, and their sole support should not only be coming from each other. Each of the prior chapters involving self-care, accessing/building support networks and learning how to ask for help also applies to the non-birth partner, as well, and this chapter helps summarize these skills and apply them to the partners. Activities include helping the partner identify what they are feeling around parenthood, what they are currently needing, and what they wish their partner knew about how they are doing.
