From postpartum anxiety to becoming a postpartum coach: How this 33-year-old fought all odds with willpower

After battling postpartum anxiety, Geetanjali found healing through therapy and yoga — and transformed her pain into purpose. Today, she’s helping other new mothers rediscover themselves beyond motherhood.

Geetanjali was overjoyed when she discovered her 2023 pregnancy. It was the moment she had longed for — somebody’s dream that finally came true. Her pregnancy was a thing of beauty. She used to commute to work further, do yoga every day and practise Garbha Sanskar for bonding with the baby well in womb. Every day she was filled with hope and love. “I was so excited to hold the baby and become a mom,” she says of those happiest months.

The day finally arrived — a typical delivery. The “golden hour” after the birth, when her baby was placed on her chest for the first time, felt like a miracle. That first touch, skin to skin, feeling her baby’s little heartbeat against hers was everything she had wanted. But a few days later, life changed course.

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Three days after she returned home, Geetanjali felt a well of sadness — one that seemed to have no reason. “I would just be crying for no reason,” she says. “The bond I developed during my pregnancy, it was gone.” The grief quickly transformed into anger and angst.

During two long months, she moved through a blur of tears, anger and guilt. “I was annoyed all the time. I found myself weeping all the time and feeling anxious everywhere I went,” she says. Every little thing — the way she held her baby, fed her or put her to sleep — felt like a terrible burden. She was overthinking everything. “I felt like I was losing myself,” she says. “I didn’t recognize who I was anymore outside of being a mother.

What was most awful, was the silence about her troubles. “I scoured the internet for help and there was hardly anything about postpartum mental health. I felt as if I were completely alone.”

But one night changed everything. Sitting beside her sleeping baby and weeping, Geetanjali gazed at the peaceful face of her daughter — and something clicked. “I just thought — I can’t be this angry, weepy mother. I want my daughter to be happy as a child. For that, I needed to heal.”

The next day she decided to take control of her mental health. She started therapy — something she had never entertained doing previously. “That one step changed my life,” she said. Therapy helped her name her emotions and discover that what she was experiencing was not weakness but rather postpartum anxiety.

She went back to yoga, along with therapy. The breathing exercises and easy movement calmed her racing mind. “Yoga was my anchor,” she says. “It was a lesson in patience and being present.

But as she recovered, Geetanjali saw a gaping hole — there was very little organized support for moms struggling to define themselves and their mental health. It was this realization that motivated her into action. She found a certification program to become a Postpartum Transition Coach, specializing in maternal mental health and identity shifts post childbirth. “It seemed like the universe was leading me,” she says.

After her course was completed, she began talking to other new mothers — and each of their stories was the same. “That is when I learned that so many mothers are alone and suffering in silence,” she says. “My mission was clear — to help them heal.

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Today, Geetanjali is a Postpartum Transition Coach helping new mothers through the emotional rollercoaster that is those early months of motherhood. She shows them how to remember themselves outside of their role as mothers — and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

The journey has turned her into a kind of more relaxed, joyful version of herself. "I was a person filled with rage and anxiety. But now, they’ve made me a stronger woman and a more conscious mother, enjoying motherhood and beyond", says Geetanjali

In the process of managing her own journey, Geetanjali found what helped her— and now she helps other moms in their journey. Her mission is simple yet profound: normalize postpartum mental health and remind every mother that recovery is possible.

FAQs on Postpartum Mental Health:

1. What is postpartum mental health?
Postpartum mental health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of mothers after childbirth. It encompasses conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders that can affect new mothers.

2. What are common signs of postpartum depression?
Common signs include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, insomnia or excessive sleeping, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.

3. How can postpartum mental health issues be addressed?
Seeking professional help, such as therapy or counselling, can be beneficial. Support from family and friends, joining support groups, and engaging in activities like yoga can also help.

4. Is it normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed after childbirth?
Yes, it is normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed after childbirth. Many mothers experience these feelings due to hormonal changes, the pressures of caring for a newborn, and adjusting to new routines.

5. How important is it to seek help for postpartum mental health issues?
It is very important to seek help for postpartum mental health issues to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the child. Early intervention can lead to better outcomes and a healthier emotional state.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.