Mental health deserves a seat at the birth planning table. In this episode Maya McDaniel Bailey, MA, NCC, LPC — a perinatal mental health counselor specializing in trauma-informed care and mental health birth planning — explains why emotional preparation is as critical as physical preferences. Maya outlines common mental health considerations to address before labor, how providers can screen and support needs across pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and practical proactive steps parents can take to reduce risk for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Learn how to build a mental-health informed birth plan that includes nervous system regulation strategies, crisis supports, continuity of care, and community resources so families feel safer, supported, and better prepared.Key Takeaways:Why mental health belongs in birth plans alongside physical preferencesCommon prenatal mental health considerations (history of mood/anxiety, trauma, stressors)Screening and supportive practices clinicians can use during pregnancy, labor, and postpartumProactive preparation: grounding, regulation tools, support mapping, relapse plansEssential resources to include: trusted contacts, crisis hotlines, therapist continuity, peer support, and contingency plansAbout the GuestMaya McDaniel Bailey, MA, NCC, LPC — licensed professional counselor focused on perinatal mental health, trauma-informed care, and mental health birth planning.Connect with Maya McDanielOfficial Website: www.fromrain2rainbow.comIG: @maya_rain2rainbowYouTube: @mayathetherapistTikTok: @mayathetherapistSign up for her workshop Creativity to calm the storm: https://www.motherhood-supported.com/psychoeducation-workshopmental health birth plan, perinatal mental health, postpartum mood disorders prevention, mental health birth planning, trauma-informed birth, nervous system regulation pregnancy, perinatal counseling, postpartum anxiety resources, birth plan mental health checklist, continuity of care postpartumwww.NewMomTalk.comBuy Me A CoffeeIG: @NewMomTalk.PodcastYouTube: @[email protected] in being a guest? Shoot us an email!- best parenting podcast- best new mom podcast- best podcasts for new moms- best pregnancy podcast- best podcast for expecting moms- best podcast for moms- best podcast for postpartum- best prenatal podcast- best postnatal podcast- best podcast for postnatal moms- best podcast for pregnancy moms- new mom - expecting mom- first time mom