Having a baby is often described as stepping into a new chapter of life, but for many, it feels less like stepping forward and more like wading through deep water with no shore in sight. The surface looks calm, you post baby pictures, answer texts with “We’re doing great!”, but beneath, the current of anxiety, exhaustion, and emotional overload pulls at your feet like deep reeds. This is perinatal distress, and it’s far more common and complex than people realize. What’s Real