Maternal Mental Health Day

May 1st is World Maternal Mental Health Day. This day is dedicated to acknowledging the mental health challenges faced by mothers during pregnancy and postpartum.

As someone who navigated the turbulent waters of postpartum anxiety without education or adequate support, I am passionate about increasing awareness and support for other women.

I am 1 in 5!

As a new mom I felt intense anxiety that presented more as anger and frustration than fear.

As a new mom I felt intense anxiety that presented more as anger and frustration than fear. My anxiety intensified as the day went on and peaked at bedtime. Looking back I can see that what triggered me was the uncertainty around getting sleep, an unpredictable schedule, worry about whether I was “doing it all right” as a mom.

In the haze of it all I couldn’t see these patterns and I couldn’t express what I was experiencing to my partner. It was like being possessed. I could see my rage outbursts happening but I couldn’t stop them and I felt increasingly more alone.

What I needed during that time was someone to educate me on the full range of mental health symptoms I might encounter and to help me understand my own experience. I also needed attention and care long before my 6 week follow-up appointment and continued support as I tried to find some stability as a new parent.

What I Didn’t Know

Statistics reveal that up to 1 in 5 women experience mental health symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. This is not just depression and isn’t the baby blues.

I wish I had understood as a new mom that “Baby Blues”, the most popularly discussed complication postpartum, only accounts for the effects from the hormonal changes that take place in the first two weeks postpartum.

Instead, these can manifest as a spectrum of symptoms that fall into six categories of perinatal mood disorders.

These include:

• Depression

  • Low excitement or joy about baby

  • Everything feels like a burden

  • Excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness

  • Can't sleep even when given the opportunity

  • "I'm the worst mom in the world"

  • "My family would be better off without me"

  • Intrusive thoughts

• Anxiety

  • Restless or on edge

  • Irritable

  • Tense

  • Cannot be distracted from worries

  • Disrupted sleep even if baby is asleep or cared for

  • Intrusive thoughts

• OCD

  • Unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) usually about safety of baby

  • Concern that you will hurt your baby

  • Compulsive behaviors to try and reduce distress

• Panic Disorder

  • Sudden episodes of intense fear or distress

  Physical Symptoms

  • Heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling, chest pain, GI distress

  Psychological symptoms

  • Fear of going crazy or losing control, feelings of unreality

  • Fear of triggering more panic attacks --> avoidance

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Can develop after an event that threatens own or baby's life (ex. traumatic birth)

  • Recurrent intrusive memories of traumatic event, flashbacks, nightmares

  • Avoidance of trauma-related thoughts, feelings, or external reminders

  • Mood disturbance, irritability, angry outbursts, difficulty concentrating

  • Physical arousal, hyper-vigilance, exaggerated startle response, sleep difficulty

• Postpartum Psychosis

  • Rare and severe psychiatric disorder- an EMERGENCY

  • Occurs in 0.1-0.2% of new mothers

  • Presents with a severe, rapid onset

  • Delusions, false beliefs, hallucinations

  • Thoughts of harming self or baby (that seem resonable)

  • Unwillingness to eat or sleep, frantic energy

  • Severe depressive symptoms

  • Sense of failure or inadequacy

  • Sense of being evil

  • Losing touch with reality

  • Irrational guilt

Some symptoms overlap between categories but each disorder presents uniquely, making personalized care and awareness crucial.

So What Can You Do?

If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of a perinatal mood disorder:

1. Reach Out for Support: Don’t hesitate to talk to a healthcare provider, such as a doctor or a mental health specialist. They can offer assessments and guide you to the appropriate treatment options.

2. Connect with Support Groups: Organizations like PSI (Postpartum Support International) offer various resources, including support groups where you can connect with others who understand what you are going through.

   If you are local to Cache Valley, Nova offers Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Groups and you can see the schedule HERE!

3. Educate Yourself and Others: Learning more about perinatal mood disorders can demystify symptoms and encourage more open conversations. Awareness is a powerful tool in reducing stigma and promoting recovery.

   I always recommend to my clients that the birthing person and support people should all be education on perinatal mood disorders. Most of the time its a partner or someone around the family that will see the red flags and can play an important role in speaking up and getting help.

4. Develop a Wellness Plan: Together with a healthcare provider, create a plan that includes practical steps to manage daily stress and enhance your mental health. This might include strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep hygiene.

   If you want guidance and support in creating a postpartum plan unique to you, reach out for 1:1 support or check out our Postpartum Planning Course.

5. Keep Communication Open: If you're supporting someone with a perinatal mood disorder, encourage them to express their feelings and needs. Listen without judgment and offer your support in finding help.

6. Emergency Situations: If there is ever a concern about immediate harm to themselves or the baby, it's crucial to contact emergency services for help.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Dial 988 

  • suicidepreventionlifeline.org

  Crisis Text Hotline (24/7)

  • Text HOME to 741741

  Domestic Violence Hotline

  • 800.799.7233

  • Text START to 88788

  Maternal Mental Health Hotline

  • 833.852.6262 (24/7 – HRSA)

Making a Change

The mission behind Nova Therapy and Doula Services is to change the landscape of the support available for new families in Cache Valley.

I don’t want any other mother or family to experience the confusion and loneliness that I felt as a new parent.

I don’t want any other mother or family to experience the confusion and loneliness that I felt as a new parent. Instead I hope to inspire confidence and awareness that allows mothers to thrive in their new role.

If you’re looking for support and what to work with us. We offer a variety of services including 1:1 Therapy and Group Counseling. Our membership, The Motherhood Collective, provides classes, workshops, online community, and social opportunities for moms.

We are also excited to announce a new pregnancy and postpartum group starting at the end of May.

As a volunteer with PSI Utah I have also been able to meet with local agencies to increase their understanding of maternal mental health and how to better serve their patients.

If you only remember this…

To every mother feeling overwhelmed: you are not alone. Support is available, and it’s okay to seek help. Finding your local resources and support networks makes a significant difference and I hope. we can be part of supporting you.

As we observe Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day, let’s commit to breaking the stigma and improving the availability of mental health resources. Together, we can ensure that no mother has to face these challenges alone.

***I cannot end this post without mentioning that the data we have suggests that 1 in 10 men experience symptoms of a postpartum mood disorder and they deserve compassionate treatment as well.