Best 10 Postpartum Anxiety Books

The following are some of the best postpartum anxiety books to help you on your recovery journey.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

What Is Postpartum Anxiety?

Postpartum anxiety refers to excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, and unease that occur after giving birth.

It is characterized by heightened levels of anxiety that interfere with a mother’s ability to function and enjoy her daily life.

The symptoms of postpartum anxiety can vary from person to person but commonly include:

1. Excessive worrying: Constant and irrational fears about the baby’s health, safety, or well-being.
2. Restlessness or feeling on edge: Having difficulty relaxing, feeling constantly “on edge,” or experiencing physical symptoms of tension.
3. Irritability or agitation: Feeling easily frustrated, overwhelmed, or unable to cope with everyday stressors.
4. Racing thoughts: Having a rapid stream of thoughts, difficulty concentrating, or racing and intrusive thoughts.
5. Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing intense nightmares related to the baby.
6. Physical symptoms: Experiencing symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or gastrointestinal distress.

It’s important to note that while some level of anxiety is common after childbirth, postpartum anxiety becomes a clinical concern when it significantly disrupts daily functioning and persists for an extended period.

Seeking professional help from a psychologist or mental health provider is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Postpartum Anxiety Books

1. The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook

By Pamela S. Wiegartz, Kevin L. Gyoerkoe

If you’re one of many women suffering from this treatable condition, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety Workbook offers powerful strategies grounded in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you control your worry, panic, and anxiety.

2. The Art of Holding in Therapy

By Karen Kleiman

First conceptualized by D.W. Winnicott, holding in this book refers to a therapist’s capacity to respond to postpartum distress in a way that facilitates an immediate and successful therapeutic alliance. Readers will learn how to contain high levels of agitation, fear, and panic in a way that cultivates trust and the early stages of connectedness. Also addressed through vignettes are personality types that make holding difficult, styles of ineffective holding, and how to modify holding techniques to accommodate the individual woman.

A must-read for postpartum professionals, the techniques learned in this book will help clients achieve meaningful and enduring recovery.

3. Peace: Hope and Healing for the Anxious Momma’s Heart

By Becky Thompson

Becky Thompson, a best-selling author with a degree in biblical studies, knows firsthand what it is like to suffer from the crippling effects of anxiety–a condition she has struggled to overcome for most of her life. For her and many others, the fear she faces is not a faith issue. It’s a physical one that affects over 40 million adults in the US.

4. Mom Brain

By Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco

Psychologist and mom Ilyse Dobrow DiMarco specializes in the myriad issues that women with young children struggle with. In this compassionate guide, she shares science-based strategies to help you cope with common challenges and make peace with your transformed identity. Dr. Dobrow DiMarco uses frank, funny, and moving stories to illustrate ways to tame self-critical thoughts and navigate the “new normal” of work, marriage, and friendships.

Related: Best 10 Postpartum Books

5. The Pregnancy Workbook

By Dr. Katayune Kaeni

An evidence-based approach—Learn healthy coping skills drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and more.
For any expectant parent—This inclusive workbook supports families of any kind, incorporating advice for your partner along with plenty of guidance for those without a partner.
For any experience level—Whether you have a history of anxiety or are experiencing it for the first time during pregnancy, you’ll begin to identify and understand your unique feelings and worries.

6. Beyond the Blues

By Shoshana S. Bennett PhD, Pec Indman PA,EdD

Direct and compassionate, it is required reading for those suffering before or after the baby is born and for all professionals working with them.

7. Awake at 3 a.m.

By Suzannah Neufeld MFT

Awake at 3 a.m. contains short, digestible chapters that are perfect for when you are feeling exhausted or overwhelmed. Neufeld skillfully dismantles the myths and internal beliefs that contribute to the suffering of new mothers and tells her own story with honesty and humor. From breathing techniques to mindfulness exercises, the yoga practices here are designed to fit into your life as it is now—no flexibility, mat, special clothes, or 90-minute yoga class required.

8. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy and Beyond

By Sheryl M. Green, Benicio N. Frey, Eleanor Donegan, Randi E. McCabe

This book is a hands-on guide for facilitating treatment of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Readers will learn about why anxiety and related difficulties can increase during pregnancy and the postpartum period, the critical roles that thoughts and behaviors play in maintaining symptoms, and how to apply practical cognitive and behavioral strategies to reduce distress and increase coping skills.

9. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Distress

By Amy Wenzel, Karen Kleiman

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Distress, Wenzeland Kleiman discuss the benefits of CBT for pregnant and postpartum women who suffer from emotional distress. The myths of CBT as rigid and intrusive are shattered as the authors describe its flexible application for perinatal women.

This text teaches practitioners how to successfully integrate CBT structure and strategy into a supportive approach in working with this population.

10. Break Free from Maternal Anxiety

By Fiona Challacombe, Catherine Green, Victoria Bream

Step-by-step, the book teaches you to apply cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) techniques in the particular context of pregnancy and becoming a new parent in order to overcome maternal anxiety in all its forms. Working through the book you will gain understanding of your anxiety and how factors from the past and present may be playing a role in how you feel. Together with practical exercises and worksheets to move through at your own pace, you will gain the tools you need to help you move forward and enjoy parenthood.

How Postpartum Anxiety Books Can Help?

Postpartum anxiety books can be an excellent resource to supplement therapy or support your journey in managing postpartum anxiety.

Here are some ways these books can help:

1. Education and awareness

Postpartum anxiety books can provide you with valuable information about the condition, its symptoms, and contributing factors.

Understanding the science behind anxiety can help normalize your experience and reduce feelings of guilt or shame.

2. Coping strategies

Many books offer evidence-based coping techniques and self-help exercises to manage postpartum anxiety.

These strategies might include relaxation techniques, cognitive restructuring exercises, mindfulness practices, and self-care tips that you can integrate into your daily routine.

3. Validation and normalization

Reading about other women’s experiences with postpartum anxiety can help you feel understood and validated.

Knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles can be incredibly comforting and can reduce the sense of isolation that often accompanies anxiety.

4. Practical guidance

Postpartum anxiety books can provide practical guidance on how to navigate common challenges, such as adjusting to motherhood, managing stress, setting boundaries, and seeking support.

They may also offer advice on effective communication with partners or family members.

5. Empowerment and self-reflection

Engaging with postpartum anxiety books can promote self-reflection and encourage you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and personal triggers.

This process of self-discovery can empower you to take an active role in managing your anxiety and developing a personalized toolbox of coping skills.

Conclusion

Remember that each person’s experience with postpartum anxiety is unique, and not all books will resonate with everyone.

It’s essential to find resources that align with your values, preferences, and needs.

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