Dr Elsa Du Toit

Dr Elsa Du Toit I am passionate about empowering women and their families during one of life’s most immersive journeys - pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.

With over 15 years of expertise exclusively focused on perinatal psychiatry.

24/04/2026

Structure simplifies complex information. It allows clarity which guides choices that support both mothers and babies.

Mood symptoms in pregnancy aren’t straightforward. And more information often adds to the overwhelm rather than resolving it.

What matters is context. A way to make sense of symptoms within the bigger picture, never in isolation.

A sincere thank you to the women who joined last night’s session. Your presence and engagement shaped a thoughtful, grounded discussion.

I’m excited about these ongoing monthly meetings, where we make sense of pregnancy and mental health, and build health together.

Join us if you’re looking for clarity on maintaining your mental health in pregnancy.

22/04/2026

Mood symptoms in pregnancy aren’t simple and misunderstanding them can lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment.

Join me live tomorrow evening (Thursday 23rd, 7pm SAST) to understand what these symptoms mean and what your next step should be.
Online. From the comfort of your home.
Bookings open on my website.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring real emotional shifts but those shifts exist on a spectrum, not in two extreme...
21/04/2026

Pregnancy and the postpartum period bring real emotional shifts
but those shifts exist on a spectrum, not in two extremes.

And this is where things often go wrong:

* Normal experiences get medicalised
* Early warning signs get dismissed
* Women are left unsure when to ask for help
* Clinicians are left navigating uncertainty without a clear framework

This is not about labelling.
It’s about understanding what you are seeing and experiencing.

In this webinar, we will walk through:

• What is expected and why
• What signals increased vulnerability
• What requires closer attention
• How to think about mood changes without fear or dismissal

Because clarity is what leads to better care.

Make sure to book your seat & join me online, from the comfort of your home this Thursday 23 April. Registration available on my website (drelsadutoit.com)

Is what you’re feeling… normal?Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be beautiful, but also confusing, overwhelming an...
20/04/2026

Is what you’re feeling… normal?

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be beautiful, but also confusing, overwhelming and emotionally intense.

Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, sadness… where do we draw the line between normal and something more?

Join Dr Elsa du Toit for a powerful and supportive live session:

Mood in Pregnancy & Postpartum: What is normal & what’s not?
📅 23 April 2026
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM (Online)

In this session, you’ll learn:
•⁠ ⁠What emotional changes are expected
•⁠ ⁠How to recognise signs of concern
•⁠ ⁠The difference between baby blues, anxiety & depression
•⁠ ⁠When to seek help (and how)
•⁠ ⁠Simple, practical ways to support your mental wellbeing

💛 Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum or supporting someone who is, this conversation matters.

👉 Reserve your spot here:
https://www.drelsadutoit.com/Mood-in-Pregnancy-&-Postpartum

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

18/04/2026

Yesterday’s run lives in today’s legs.
Sleep works the same way — one rough night is manageable, but it compounds.

If you’re a mom running on empty, this is your reminder: don’t carry it alone. Ask for help.

Not sure what’s “normal” when it comes to mood in pregnancy or postpartum?
Join my online webinar, 23 April where we map the pregnancy mood spectrum - what is normal & what not. Bookings open on my website www.drelsadutoit.com

“I thought I’d feel happy… so why do I feel like this?”If you’re pregnant or recently had a baby, you may have asked you...
17/04/2026

“I thought I’d feel happy… so why do I feel like this?”

If you’re pregnant or recently had a baby, you may have asked yourself this quietly, maybe even felt afraid to say it out loud.

The truth is, not every moment is glowing or joyful.
And that doesn’t make you a bad mom.

But it does matter to understand what’s normal… and what might be your mind asking for support.

🌿 Join Dr Elsa du Toit for a deeply honest and supportive conversation:

Mood in Pregnancy & Postpartum: What Is Normal and What’s Not?
📅 23 April
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM (Online)

This isn’t just information, it’s reassurance, clarity and real guidance on:
•⁠ ⁠Why your emotions may feel so intense
•⁠ ⁠The difference between “baby blues” and something more
•⁠ ⁠When to reach out for help (and how to do it)
•⁠ ⁠Gentle ways to support yourself through it all

💛 You are not alone in how you feel, even if it seems that way.

👉 Book your place here:
https://www.drelsadutoit.com/Mood-in-Pregnancy-&-Postpartum

Come as you are. No judgment. Just support.

15/04/2026

One of the most common questions I hear is: “Is this normal… or do I need help?”

Mood changes, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm are common during pregnancy and postpartum period, but not all symptoms should be left untreated.

So how do you know when it’s more than just adjustment? When is it time to reach out?

Join me as we unpack this, clearly and practically.

🗓 Thursday, 23 April
🕖 19:00 (online)
📍 From the comfort of your home

Bookings open via the link in my bio.

14/04/2026

In perinatal care: conflict, uncertainty, conflicting opinions.

There is no shortage of data.
But more data ≠ better decisions.
It often makes it harder to know what to trust.

If you feel lost making mental health decisions in pregnancy,
it’s not that you don’t know enough
it’s that you need a framework.

From information → interpretation → action.

Explore the ARC Perinatal Decisions Making Program on my website.

Is what you’re feeling… normal?Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be beautiful, but also confusing, overwhelming an...
14/04/2026

Is what you’re feeling… normal?

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be beautiful, but also confusing, overwhelming and emotionally intense.

Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, sadness… where do we draw the line between normal and something more?

Join Dr Elsa du Toit for a powerful and supportive live session:
Mood in Pregnancy & Postpartum: What is normal & what’s not?
📅 23 April 2026
⏰ 7:00–8:00 PM (Online)

In this session, you’ll learn:
•⁠ ⁠What emotional changes are expected
•⁠ ⁠How to recognise signs of concern
•⁠ ⁠The difference between baby blues, anxiety & depression
•⁠ ⁠When to seek help (and how)
•⁠ ⁠Simple, practical ways to support your mental wellbeing

💛 Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum or supporting someone who is, this conversation matters.

👉 Reserve your spot here:
https://www.drelsadutoit.com/Mood-in-Pregnancy-&-Postpartum

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

10/04/2026

We were caught off guard by nature…
and ended up having coffee in the pouring rain ☕🌧️

And I kept thinking, this is a bit like pregnancy, or the postpartum time.

Not everything needs to be solved nor can every moment be planned. Sometimes the most helpful thing is to pause, let it be, and find something small to hold onto in the middle of it.
Like a warm cup of coffee brings a small relief in the storm,
the quiet knowing that other mothers are here too can soften a long night.

09/04/2026

We like to think clinical decisions are driven by evidence.
But in reality, they are often shaped by something far less visible: our biases.

In perinatal care, this matters.
Because stigma around psychiatric illness, fear of medication, and deeply ingrained gender roles all influence how information is interpreted and what care is offered.

Women don’t miss out on treatment because there is no data.
They miss out because of how that data is perceived.

If we’re not aware of our own beliefs, assumptions, and emotional responses, we risk making decisions that feel right, but are not necessarily right.

Awareness is not optional.
It is foundational to good care.

08/04/2026

Depression is a chronic illness with real maternal and infant consequences. If we wish to improve outcomes for Moms & Babies, integrated care is not optional, it’s essential.

Address

Cape Town

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr Elsa Du Toit posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category