What is one small thing you could add or remove from your routine, to help support your mental well-being?
Perinatal / Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
At least 20% of birthing parents (and at least 10% of partners) are affected by mood disorders and negative mental health symptoms during the postpartum phase. This can present as depressive symptoms and/or anxiety/panic, OCD, PTSD, and more, and can affect either parent anytime through the first year after the baby is born.
Some resources for you:
- The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is the most commonly used screening tool for postpartum depression. If you haven’t completed this quick 10-item questionnaire recently, it could be a good way to get an idea of your current state. Almost any healthcare provider would be familiar with this tool, so you can discuss your results with a doctor or mental health expert.
- Depression in partners and dads is also fairly common, and peaks 3-6 months after the birth. Here’s an overview, and one mom’s perspective of her husband’s postpartum depression.
Did you know, Postpartum Anxiety is likely even more prevalent than postpartum depression
- The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) is a tool to specifically screen for anxiety symptoms. On this one, the results range from minimal anxiety (PASS score of 0-20), mild-moderate anxiety (score of 21-41), and severe anxiety (score of 42-93).
- Time magazine article on Postpartum Anxiety
- What’s Up Moms article: “What My Postpartum Anxiety Actually Felt Like”
Another info site: https://www.postpartumstress.com/perinatal-mood-and-anxiety-disorders
If you need help finding a mental health professional, please reach out to us! We can help connect you with some that specialize in the perinatal and early parenting stages.
Have you seen this book yet?
We’re a little obsessed! Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is written by perinatal mental health expert Karen Kleiman, MSW. (She has some other great books, too) We have a copy in the Center, so feel free to take a look if you’re there, or get a copy for yourself (or a friend!) About the book: Good Mothers Have Scary Thoughts is packed with world-class guidance, simple exercises, and nearly 50 stigma-busting cartoons from the viral #speakthesecret campaign that help new moms validate their feelings, share their fears, and start feeling better. Lighthearted yet serious, warm yet not sugary, and perfectly portioned for busy moms with full plates, Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts is the go-to resource for moms, partners, and families everywhere who need help with this difficult period.
Our free weekly Friday 10-11:30am mom-and-baby group is still going strong. Drop-in anytime. We have the baby scales available, and at least one IBCLC there to answer questions. We provide a space for mothers and lactating parents be with their babies, nurse or feed, and chat with others. And if feeding isn’t going beautifully for you, you are not alone! Many attendees are experiencing struggles on their feeding journey. You are very welcome to bottle feed, pump, whatever you need to do, Often people say they really appreciate that the group normalizes how challenging infant feeding can be!