Perinatal & Postpartum Psychiatrist Serving Washington State
Thoughtful psychiatric care before, during, and after pregnancy for women across Washington.
Longer visits. Careful evaluation. Direct physician care.
Dr. Shirin Vartak, DOBoard-certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Support for a season of big decisions
Pregnancy, preparing for pregnancy, and the months after giving birth can bring major changes to mood, sleep, anxiety, identity, and relationships. They can also make decisions about psychiatric medication feel much more complicated.
Navia Psychiatry provides virtual perinatal and postpartum psychiatric care throughout Washington State with Dr. Shirin Vartak, DO, a psychiatrist board-certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Visits are designed to give you time to understand your options, ask questions, and make thoughtful decisions about your mental health during a period when those decisions can feel especially important.
When women come to us
You may benefit from a perinatal psychiatric consultation if you are:
- Planning a pregnancy and want to review your psychiatric medications beforehand
- Pregnant and experiencing depression or significant anxiety
- Experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety
- Having distressing or intrusive thoughts after having a baby
- Experiencing symptoms of postpartum OCD
- Breastfeeding and wondering how that affects medication decisions
- Considering whether to continue, change, stop, or restart an antidepressant during pregnancy
- Living with bipolar disorder and planning for pregnancy or the postpartum period
- Concerned because of a previous episode of postpartum depression, anxiety, mania, or another significant postpartum mental health condition
- Experiencing emotional distress after pregnancy loss, infertility treatment, or a difficult pregnancy or birth
- Looking for a psychiatric second opinion about treatment during pregnancy or postpartum
You do not need to be in crisis to seek specialized care. Some women schedule a consultation because they want a clearer plan before pregnancy, delivery, or the postpartum period.
For broader mental health concerns, visit our women's psychiatry page.
Psychiatric medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Questions about medication are among the most common reasons women seek perinatal psychiatric care.
Should you continue an antidepressant during pregnancy? Is there enough safety information about your current medication? Would changing medications create its own risks? What happens if depression or anxiety returns after stopping treatment? What should you consider if you plan to breastfeed?
These decisions are individualized. There is not always a completely risk-free option, including leaving significant psychiatric symptoms untreated.
Dr. Vartak reviews your psychiatric history, previous treatment response, current symptoms, medication history, pregnancy or postpartum circumstances, and personal priorities. She then walks through the available evidence, potential benefits, uncertainties, and alternatives with you.
The goal is to help you make an informed decision with a clearer understanding of the tradeoffs involved.
Planning before pregnancy
If you already take psychiatric medication or have a history of significant depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or postpartum illness, you do not need to wait until symptoms worsen to seek care.
A preconception psychiatric consultation can help you review medications, discuss previous episodes, consider potential risks of recurrence, and develop a plan for pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Planning ahead can also make it easier for your psychiatrist, OB-GYN, therapist, partner, and other members of your support system to know what to watch for and how to respond if symptoms change.
Postpartum depression and anxiety
The postpartum period can look very different from what someone expected.
Depression may show up as sadness, numbness, guilt, disconnection, irritability, or feeling unlike yourself. Anxiety may involve constant worry, physical tension, difficulty sleeping even when the baby sleeps, repetitive checking, or distressing intrusive thoughts.
A psychiatric evaluation can help clarify what you are experiencing and what treatment options may be appropriate.
Perinatal psychiatric care across Washington
Navia provides secure virtual appointments throughout Washington State, including Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Olympia, Spokane, Vancouver, and surrounding communities.
There is no commute with a newborn and no waiting room. You can attend from home while feeding, holding, or caring for your baby. You must be physically located in Washington at the time of your appointment.
With your permission, Dr. Vartak can coordinate care with your OB-GYN, midwife, primary care physician, therapist, pediatrician, or other members of your healthcare team.
How care works
- 01
Start with a free fit consultation
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss what you're looking for and whether Navia may be a good fit. This is a brief conversation about fit, not a clinical evaluation or treatment.
- 02
Complete a comprehensive evaluation
Most pregnancy, postpartum, preconception, and reproductive medication concerns are best served by the 90-minute extended initial evaluation. Dr. Vartak can help you determine the appropriate appointment type during your fit consultation. Your appointment includes a detailed review of your psychiatric history, reproductive history, medications, previous treatment response, current symptoms, and goals.
- 03
Develop a clear plan
Dr. Vartak will discuss her assessment and recommendations with you. Depending on your situation, the plan may involve medication, psychotherapy, monitoring during pregnancy or postpartum, coordination with another clinician, or additional support.
- 04
Continue care as your needs change
Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your symptoms, treatment plan, stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery, and individual needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to take antidepressants during pregnancy?
There is no single answer that applies to every person or every medication. Different medications have different amounts and types of pregnancy safety data, and the potential risks of medication need to be considered alongside the potential risks of untreated psychiatric illness. Your individual history matters. Dr. Vartak can review the evidence relevant to your medication and circumstances and discuss the available options with you.
Should I stop my medication before trying to get pregnant?
Don't stop a prescribed psychiatric medication on your own. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms or a return of symptoms. For some people, continuing treatment may be recommended. For others, adjusting treatment may make sense. A preconception consultation provides time to consider those decisions before pregnancy.
Can you help with postpartum anxiety or intrusive thoughts?
Yes. Unwanted, frightening thoughts are common in postpartum anxiety and OCD, and having them does not mean you will act on them. An evaluation can help distinguish among postpartum anxiety, depression, OCD, and other conditions and guide treatment recommendations. If you feel unsafe, or worry you might act on thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek emergency help immediately.
Can I take psychiatric medication while breastfeeding?
Often, yes, but it depends on the medication, dose, your psychiatric history, your baby's circumstances, and other individual factors. Dr. Vartak can discuss medication considerations during breastfeeding as part of your treatment.
Can I bring my baby to a video appointment?
Yes. Feeding, holding, soothing, or pausing to care for your baby during an appointment is completely fine.
Is this a replacement for my OB-GYN or midwife?
No. Navia focuses on psychiatric care. Your OB-GYN, midwife, or other obstetric clinician continues to manage your pregnancy and obstetric care. With your permission, Dr. Vartak can collaborate with them.
Do you take insurance?
Navia is a private-pay practice. We provide a superbill after each visit that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your individual plan.
Dr. Shirin Vartak, DO
Dr. Vartak is board-certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
She founded Navia Psychiatry to provide women and families with thoughtful, evidence-based psychiatric care, built around careful evaluation, collaborative treatment decisions, longer visits, and a direct relationship with their psychiatrist.
Every Navia patient is seen directly by Dr. Vartak.
Meet Dr. VartakFees and logistics
| Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Free fit consultation | 15 minutes | Complimentary |
| Initial psychiatric evaluation | 60 minutes | $700 |
| Extended initial evaluationReproductive or hormonal concerns | 90 minutes | $900 |
| Medication management follow-up | 25–30 minutes | $350 |
| Extended follow-up | 45–60 minutes | $575 |
Logistics
- InsurancePrivate pay; superbills provided
- AppointmentsSecure virtual visits
- LocationPatients must be located in Washington State during appointments
- PaymentDue at the time of service
- HSA/FSAAccepted
If you need help right now
Navia Psychiatry is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are thinking about harming yourself, your baby, or someone else, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Severe confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, or going several days with little or no sleep can be signs of postpartum psychosis, a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For additional maternal mental health support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available by call or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Postpartum Support International also offers support and resources through its HelpLine at 1-800-944-4773. The PSI HelpLine is not an emergency service.
Start with a conversation
If you are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or navigating the postpartum period and want thoughtful psychiatric guidance, you can begin with a complimentary fit consultation.
Longer visits. Careful evaluation. Direct physician care.
Or call 425-598-0917