Postpartum and Perinatal Mental Health
For mothers, fathers, and the whole family — before, during, and after birth.
The arrival of a new baby is one of life's most profound experiences. It is also one of its most demanding. The weeks and months surrounding birth — during pregnancy and into the fourth trimester — bring enormous physical, hormonal, emotional, and relational changes that can leave even the most prepared parents feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or not quite like themselves.
At Natura, we believe that caring for a new baby begins with caring for the parents. Dr. Kendra Featherman and Dr. Michael Smith offer comprehensive perinatal mental health support for mothers and fathers — before birth, through pregnancy, and into the postpartum period. As parents themselves — each with two children — both providers bring not only clinical expertise but genuine personal understanding of what this season of life actually feels like.
You Are Not Alone — The Numbers
Perinatal mental health challenges are far more common than most people realize — and far more treatable than most people know.
1 in 5 mothers experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the postpartum period
More than 1 in 10 fathers experience postpartum depression or anxiety after the birth of a child
When mothers experience postpartum depression, up to half of their partners also develop symptoms.
Symptoms can begin during pregnancy and may emerge or persist months after birth
Our Approach
Perinatal mental health is not simply an emotional experience — it is a profoundly biological one. At Natura, we look at the full picture of what is happening in the body and the life of each parent, including:
Hormonal shifts — reproductive hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) shift dramatically around birth, and thyroid function and cortisol levels are frequently disrupted during this period in ways that directly affect mood, energy, and emotional resilience
Neurotransmitter imbalances — functional imbalances in serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and other neurotransmitters are common contributors to perinatal depression and anxiety
Nutritional status — pregnancy and breastfeeding place significant demands on the body's nutrient stores; deficiencies in iron, B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and other key nutrients are common and consequential
Pre-existing mental health history — a prior history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions significantly increases perinatal risk, and we take that history seriously from the start
Life stressors — sleep deprivation, changing relationships, the demands of a new baby, work pressures, financial stress, and shifts in identity and partnership are all real and powerful contributors to perinatal mental health
Birth trauma — when birth does not go as expected, the emotional and psychological impact can be significant. We offer gentle naturopathic support for birth trauma and work collaboratively with mental health therapists and counselors when deeper trauma-specific work is indicated
We find it best to establish care as early as possible — ideally before birth, or even during pregnancy — so that we are prepared, we know you, and we are ready to support you when you need it most.
Dr. Featherman offers comprehensive naturopathic perinatal care for mothers — beginning with fertility support, continuing through pregnancy, and extending into the postpartum period. It is important to note that Dr. Featherman does not serve as a primary prenatal provider in the way that a midwife or OB/GYN does — she works alongside your birth team, offering holistic naturopathic support that complements your conventional prenatal care.
Maternal perinatal mental health challenges are common and often underrecognized. Symptoms may include persistent sadness or tearfulness, anxiety or intrusive thoughts, irritability or anger, difficulty bonding with your baby, exhaustion beyond normal new-parent fatigue, feelings of inadequacy or guilt, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Symptoms can begin during pregnancy and may emerge or intensify in the weeks and months after birth.
Dr. Featherman offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation for mothers who want to learn more about perinatal naturopathic support before committing to a full visit.
Care for Mothers — Dr. Kendra Featherman
Dr. Featherman offers comprehensive naturopathic perinatal care for mothers — beginning with fertility support, continuing through pregnancy, and extending into the postpartum period. It is important to note that Dr. Featherman does not serve as a primary prenatal provider in the way that a midwife or OB/GYN does — she works alongside your birth team, offering holistic naturopathic support that complements your conventional prenatal care.
Maternal perinatal mental health challenges are common and often underrecognized. Symptoms may include persistent sadness or tearfulness, anxiety or intrusive thoughts, irritability or anger, difficulty bonding with your baby, exhaustion beyond normal new-parent fatigue, feelings of inadequacy or guilt, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Symptoms can begin during pregnancy and may emerge or intensify in the weeks and months after birth.
Dr. Featherman offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation for mothers who want to learn more about perinatal naturopathic support before committing to a full visit.
Care for Mothers —
Dr. Kendra Featherman
Fathers are too often left out of the perinatal mental health conversation — and the consequences of that gap are real. Paternal postpartum depression and anxiety are common, frequently unrecognized, and highly treatable. Dr. Smith is passionate about making sure fathers are seen, supported, and not left to navigate this season alone.
Paternal perinatal mental health doesn't always look like sadness. In fathers, it may show up as irritability or anger, emotional withdrawal, fatigue beyond normal sleep loss, anxiety, loss of interest in intimacy or hobbies, difficulty concentrating, increased alcohol use, or a persistent feeling of being "not good enough" as a dad. Even in fathers, hormones shift around the time of birth, stress and sleep deprivation take a significant toll, and roles and relationships change in ways that can be difficult to name or talk about. Dr. Smith's whole-person, root-cause approach helps fathers restore balance, connection, and resilience in an integrative, holistic way.
Dr. Smith offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation for fathers who want to learn more.
Care for Fathers — Dr. Michael Smith
Fathers are too often left out of the perinatal mental health conversation — and the consequences of that gap are real. Paternal postpartum depression and anxiety are common, frequently unrecognized, and highly treatable. Dr. Smith is passionate about making sure fathers are seen, supported, and not left to navigate this season alone.
Paternal perinatal mental health doesn't always look like sadness. In fathers, it may show up as irritability or anger, emotional withdrawal, fatigue beyond normal sleep loss, anxiety, loss of interest in intimacy or hobbies, difficulty concentrating, increased alcohol use, or a persistent feeling of being "not good enough" as a dad. Even in fathers, hormones shift around the time of birth, stress and sleep deprivation take a significant toll, and roles and relationships change in ways that can be difficult to name or talk about. Dr. Smith's whole-person, root-cause approach helps fathers restore balance, connection, and resilience in an integrative, holistic way.
Dr. Smith offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation for fathers who want to learn more.
Care for Fathers —
Dr. Michael Smith
One of the most meaningful things about perinatal care at Natura is that both providers work together. Dr. Featherman and Dr. Smith collaborate and communicate with each other to streamline care across the whole family — so that both parents are supported, and the care they receive is coordinated and complementary. When both parents are patients at Natura, we are able to see the full picture of what the family is navigating and offer support that reflects that whole-family understanding.
Whole Family Care
Perinatal mental health support at Natura is highly individualized. Depending on your situation, care may include:
Comprehensive lab testing — hormones (reproductive, thyroid, cortisol), nutritional status, inflammatory markers, and neurotransmitter assessment
Perinatal screening tools — validated screening questionnaires such as the PHQ-9 and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Screening to assess symptoms and track progress - in moms and dads
Nutritional therapy & supplementation — targeted to your specific deficiencies and needs, with careful attention to safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Herbal medicine — botanicals selected for both efficacy and perinatal safety
Pharmaceutical medications — when clinically appropriate, including medications safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Lifestyle support — sleep, nutrition, movement, stress management, and relationship support
Referrals & collaborative care — we work closely with OB/GYNs, midwives, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to ensure you have the full team you need, ensuring comprehensive medical and mental health support.
Testing We Use
Natura is pleased to be connected with Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies - The Montana Coalition. This nonprofit organization is focused on helping improve the health, safety, and well-being of Montana families. In addition to training and advocacy, they publish the LIFTS (Linking Infants & Families to Supports) magazine and online resource guide. We encourage you to access those resources.
Help is Available
If you or someone you love is in crisis, please reach out for help right away. The following resources are available:
Postpartum Support International (PSI) — www.postpartum.net | 1-800-944-4773
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline — 1-833-943-5746
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, available 24/7
Local counselors, primary care, and naturopathic providers
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Crisis Resources
Take the First Step
The perinatal period is one of the most important — and most vulnerable — seasons of life for the whole family. Whether you are newly pregnant, in the thick of the fourth trimester, or months postpartum and still not feeling like yourself, it is never too early or too late to reach out.
We encourage you to establish care early — before birth if possible — so that we know you, and you know us, when you need support most.
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