Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in seven women, yet too many mothers suffer in silence. Stigma, fear of medication side effects, or simply not knowing about effective alternatives often keep them from getting the help they need.
Serenity Mental Health Centers’ TMS technician administers treatment to a patient.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between your mental health and your baby’s wellbeing. There’s another way forward.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a solution. This innovative, effective treatment has been shown to provide lasting relief from PPD, especially for mothers who haven’t found success with traditional treatments or want to avoid medication while breastfeeding.
A Breakthrough in PPD Treatment: What is TMS?
It is an approach to maternal mental health where you don’t have to compromise your mental health for motherhood.
TMS has been used for over 40 years and treats conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, all without medication. It works by delivering magnetic pulses, similar to those used in MRI machines, to gently stimulate areas of the brain that regulate mood.
Unlike antidepressants, which affect your whole body, TMS targets specific brain circuits, helping to ‘reset’ mood regulation in a safe and controlled environment.
How TMS Helps Mothers with PPD
- Targets the source: PPD is often tied to underactive brain regions. TMS activates those areas to restore emotional balance.
- No meds, no downtime: It’s drug-free, requires no anesthesia, and is safe while breastfeeding.
- Minimal side effects: Unlike medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has little to no systemic side effects. The most common is a minor headache, which usually subsides shortly after treatment.
- Real results: Many patients start feeling better—more energy, improved mood, and outlook—within just a few weeks of TMS. Unlike medications that can take months, TMS offers faster relief, helping mothers reconnect with daily life and their babies sooner.
What makes TMS particularly compelling is its lasting impact. Studies have shown that the benefits of TMS extend far beyond the treatment period, with many patients continuing to experience positive outcomes for months and, in some cases, years after completing their sessions.
In fact, TMS at Serenity Mental Health Centers has an 84% response rate and a 78% remission rate, with results lasting 3+ years for most patients. Postpartum depression is real, but so is recovery.
Jenny, a mother who sought Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment at Serenity, shared her experience: “I always wanted to be a mom. One of the things I was worried about having depression is that, like, what kind of mom am I going to be able to be if I’m not well? TMS has been such a relief because I am so much happier in motherhood than I thought I could be.”
Jenny’s story is a powerful reminder that while PPD can make mothers feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or disconnected, recovery is possible, and it’s life-changing. If you’re struggling with postpartum depression, know that you’re not alone. You deserve support, compassion, and the right treatment to help you heal and experience the joy of motherhood.
Why Many Moms Choose Alternatives Like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Despite how common it is, nearly 50% of women with PPD go untreated. In fact, research shows that nearly 75% of women with PPD symptoms never receive professional care.
That means millions of women each year go without treatment, often because they’re unaware of alternatives or feel pressured to ‘push through.’ But, untreated PPD can have long-term effects on both mother and baby, including delayed child development and strained relationships.
While antidepressants are a common option, they’re not the right fit for everyone. Many mothers worry about:
- How meds might affect their baby while breastfeeding
- Unpleasant side effects or emotional numbness
- Not feeling like themselves
TMS addresses these concerns head-on. It supports healing without disrupting your ability to parent, bond, or function day-to-day.
At Serenity Mental Health Centers, we offer:
- Flexible scheduling to fit your lifestyle
- Warm, welcoming environments
- Help with insurance navigation
- Thorough evaluations to tailor treatment to each mother’s unique needs
Destroying the PPD Stigma
Society puts enormous pressure on mothers to be perfect, and that makes asking for help feel scary.
But struggling with PPD doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t make you a bad mom. It just means you need support, and that’s okay.
You deserve to feel whole. You deserve to enjoy motherhood. You deserve to heal.
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is an alternative that could finally work for you like it has for so many others.
Interested in learning more about TMS? Visit serenitymentalhealthcenters.com or call 844-310-1665 to schedule a consultation and explore if TMS is right for you.
Mah Mekolle is Regional Nurse Practitioner Lead at Serenity Mental Health Centers.
