Maternal Mental Health Month
May is Maternal Mental Health month, where we raise more awareness about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). “Perinatal” refers to the period of time during pregnancy and up to one year post-partum, or after the birth of a child. Although pregnancy and the arrival of a child can be a time filled with excitement and joy, identification of challenges and less positive emotions can be neglected, yet are important to address, in the service of acknowledging the full range of experience.
Did you know?:
- Up to 20% of pregnant women will experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.
- Up to 21% of women experience postpartum depression.
- Paternal postnatal depression affects up to 10% of new fathers.
- Perinatal depression is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Of all cases, approximately less than half are detected and diagnosed. Of those, only about 60% receive any treatment.
- 30% of women with perinatal OCD experience onset for the first time.
- Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples.
Women experience a range of physiological, psychological, and social role changes during the perinatal period. Here are just a few of the changes that can arise:
- Physical: Sleep deprivation, significant hormonal changes, recovery from birth, pain response, shifting body composition.
- Psychological: Shifts in sense of freedom and control, changing self-esteem related to body image, experiencing fears.
- Social: Renegotiating responsibilities and relationships, shifting and reliance on support systems, learning to be a parent, getting to know a new child, shifting image of career and/or career potential, shifts in romantic relationship dynamics.
Although it can be common to ask about a new baby, one element to consider is asking new parents about their expectations and hopes, as well as “shadow losses.” Shadow losses impact postpartum functioning and can include:
- Disappointment with sex of the baby
- Multiple pregnancies when a singleton child was hoped for
- Mistimed pregnancy
- Pregnancy experience not as one hoped
- Baby’s appearance/resemblance to the birth mother or to a partner
- Baby’s temperament
- Parenting experience not meeting expectations
- Not “falling in love” immediately
- Family members/friends not as helpful as one hoped
It is important to reconcile what parents envision for pregnancy, birth, and parenthood vs. what occurred and what is realistic. Acknowledgment of discrepancies between hopes, realities, and acknowledging loss facilitates the meaning-making experience, and, in turn, creates the building-blocks for healing.
Accessing mental health care can be a challenge in the perinatal period, but research shows screening and early intervention can protect the well-being of mother, baby, and the entire family. Postpartum Support International (postpartum.net) bridges the gap in care and support for pregnant and postpartum parents and families. They provide online support groups for a range of presenting problems (depression, anxiety, panic, OCD) and populations (mothers, fathers, military members, teen parents, LGBTQ+ parents, infertility, infant loss), in a range of languages. They also have a toll-free helpline (800-944-4773/4PPD).
At IPCI, we have a range of licensed and pre-licensed intern therapists who have received additional, specific training in perinatal mental health. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. In the words of Postpartum Support International’s motto, You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.