The Number One Complication of Childbirth: An Overview of Maternal Depression
By Andrea Schneider, MSW, LCSW
Over 20 % of all childbearing women experience what is called perinatal depression/anxiety. What this means is that from the moment of conception on through the first year after giving birth, a women is vulnerable to depression and anxiety.
The reasons for this finding are varied and the topic of much research. What scientists have discovered is that women’s reproductive hormones fluctuate significantly during the hormonal life events of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and perimenopause (the 10 years preceding menopause).
For some women, such shifts in hormones, coupled with the sleep deprivation of a newborn, among other biopsychosocial factors contribute to the perfect storm of events resulting in perinatal mood/anxiety disorders (PMADs).
The good news is that PMADs are very treatable, temporary, and help is available with skilled, trained practitioners in the field of women’s reproductive mental health (see resources at bottom of article). Oftentimes women experience a combination of depression and anxiety symptoms, including low mood, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, excessive worry and guilt, appetite fluctuations, extreme fatigue, and a drop in self-confidence.
Fortunately, a woman can receive therapy with a skilled psychotherapist and also work with psychiatrists, support groups, and integrative/holistic health practitioners.
What we know from the research is that PMADs are very treatable and outcomes are very favorable if a woman obtains treatment right away. Waiting too long to ask for help can result in chronic depression, attachment issues, developmental delays in children, and tremendous stress for the family system.
For some women, symptoms surface during pregnancy. It is critical for women to get help the minute they feel they may be experiencing depression or anxiety.
The media often misreports on postpartum depression by linking it with a story about a woman killing her children. In most incidences where infanticide has occurred, the woman likely has experienced what is called “postpartum psychosis,” which is rare and considered a medical emergency.
Postpartum depression is a different condition in which the mom has symptoms of depression and anxiety, but not hallucinations which compel her to harm her child. Therefore, moms who think they have perinatal depression often are weighted down by the stigma of mental illness, and the misrepresentation of what postpartum depression truly is.
In addition, new fathers can also experience depression and anxiety following the birth of a child. Although their symptoms are not tied to hormonal fluctuations-- sleep deprivation, role changes, and financial stressors can contribute to its onset.
Practitioners who help new moms heal from depression are also trained in assisting dads to move through depression and anxiety.
Good moms get postpartum depression.
Good moms heal and recover from postpartum depression.
Good moms who have had postpartum depression have babies and children that get through it with them and thrive.
The outcomes are favorable with swift treatment (counseling, support groups, when indicated- medication management, and other resources).
PMADs do not discriminate. They impact women of every culture, religion, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
With treatment, women heal and recover.
Moms are not stuck with PMAD. If you suspect that you or someone you love may have a PMAD, contact the following resources for additional support and guidance.
Resources:
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum.net (--largest non-profit in the world dedicated to women’s reproductive mental health--see website for list of volunteers in each state and many countries in which moms and their families can be linked with skilled, trained providers in their geographical area; trainings for professionals).
Postpartum Progress
Postpartumprogress.com (helpful blog for moms healing from depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after having a baby)
California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
Camaternalmentalhealth.org
(take a look and see what’s happening legislatively in CA)
LA County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force
Maternalmentalhealthla.org
(LA County based resources, legislation, and training)
Inland Empire Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative
Iepmhc.org ( resources in CA for Riverside and San Bernardino counties)
San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance
Postpartumhealthalliance.org
By Andrea Schneider, MSW, LCSW
Over 20 % of all childbearing women experience what is called perinatal depression/anxiety. What this means is that from the moment of conception on through the first year after giving birth, a women is vulnerable to depression and anxiety.
The reasons for this finding are varied and the topic of much research. What scientists have discovered is that women’s reproductive hormones fluctuate significantly during the hormonal life events of menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and perimenopause (the 10 years preceding menopause).
For some women, such shifts in hormones, coupled with the sleep deprivation of a newborn, among other biopsychosocial factors contribute to the perfect storm of events resulting in perinatal mood/anxiety disorders (PMADs).
The good news is that PMADs are very treatable, temporary, and help is available with skilled, trained practitioners in the field of women’s reproductive mental health (see resources at bottom of article). Oftentimes women experience a combination of depression and anxiety symptoms, including low mood, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, excessive worry and guilt, appetite fluctuations, extreme fatigue, and a drop in self-confidence.
Fortunately, a woman can receive therapy with a skilled psychotherapist and also work with psychiatrists, support groups, and integrative/holistic health practitioners.
What we know from the research is that PMADs are very treatable and outcomes are very favorable if a woman obtains treatment right away. Waiting too long to ask for help can result in chronic depression, attachment issues, developmental delays in children, and tremendous stress for the family system.
For some women, symptoms surface during pregnancy. It is critical for women to get help the minute they feel they may be experiencing depression or anxiety.
The media often misreports on postpartum depression by linking it with a story about a woman killing her children. In most incidences where infanticide has occurred, the woman likely has experienced what is called “postpartum psychosis,” which is rare and considered a medical emergency.
Postpartum depression is a different condition in which the mom has symptoms of depression and anxiety, but not hallucinations which compel her to harm her child. Therefore, moms who think they have perinatal depression often are weighted down by the stigma of mental illness, and the misrepresentation of what postpartum depression truly is.
In addition, new fathers can also experience depression and anxiety following the birth of a child. Although their symptoms are not tied to hormonal fluctuations-- sleep deprivation, role changes, and financial stressors can contribute to its onset.
Practitioners who help new moms heal from depression are also trained in assisting dads to move through depression and anxiety.
Good moms get postpartum depression.
Good moms heal and recover from postpartum depression.
Good moms who have had postpartum depression have babies and children that get through it with them and thrive.
The outcomes are favorable with swift treatment (counseling, support groups, when indicated- medication management, and other resources).
PMADs do not discriminate. They impact women of every culture, religion, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
With treatment, women heal and recover.
Moms are not stuck with PMAD. If you suspect that you or someone you love may have a PMAD, contact the following resources for additional support and guidance.
Resources:
Postpartum Support International
Postpartum.net (--largest non-profit in the world dedicated to women’s reproductive mental health--see website for list of volunteers in each state and many countries in which moms and their families can be linked with skilled, trained providers in their geographical area; trainings for professionals).
Postpartum Progress
Postpartumprogress.com (helpful blog for moms healing from depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after having a baby)
California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
Camaternalmentalhealth.org
(take a look and see what’s happening legislatively in CA)
LA County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force
Maternalmentalhealthla.org
(LA County based resources, legislation, and training)
Inland Empire Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative
Iepmhc.org ( resources in CA for Riverside and San Bernardino counties)
San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance
Postpartumhealthalliance.org