Postpartum depression screening may be part of early prevention and initiation of treatment however, it does not address the social, economic and environmental conditions and risk factors which depression can arise from. Prevention support needs to consider these factors as being vital for prevention and recovery to reduce the stress for new mothers. Research shows in cultures where new mothers have postpartum social supports whether natural or community supports, there is less incidence of postpartum depression. Good prenatal support gives women a level of protection and resiliency for promoting emotional and mental health! It provides protective factors to decrease stress and promote healthy brain function for mom and baby! Moms need environmental, social and emotional support systems during the first year of a child’s life and beyond! These supports also help infant mental health improving the quality of postnatal attachment and bonding. This directly affect the infants developing brain. Maternal depression and anxiety disrupts oxytocin regulation ( a bonding and empathy hormone), in the mother and infant and can makes changes in the plasticity of the infants brain increasing the child for mental health problems later in life. Maternal mental health is important because the mother infant relationship is symbiotic.
Make mothers matter! Be a good postpartum support person to your wife, daughter, daughter in law, sister in law, friend, granddaughter, aunt neighbor or sister!!! Postpartum transitions, depression and anxiety are made worse for women with lack of social, environmental and emotional support and empathy from their husband’s, domestic partners, their families and friends. It is truly a vulnerable time for women and babies! Great postpartum support creates a common good for all! Everyone wins when we care for new mothers and babies.
Environmental and social supports promoting decrease stress and emotional wellbeing and recovery include:
- House hold help
- Cooking
- Nutrition and hydration
- Rest / sleep
- Childcare help
- Eliminating extra work
- Exercise
- Personal time
- Sharing night time parenting
Emotional Supports include:
- Processing Birth story
- Nurturing time for relationship with partner, friends and family.
- Talking about feelings and factors affecting her mood
- Affirm her in positive ways and for the amazing job she is doing as a mother!
- Help her gain confidence
- Recognize your limitation as a support person and help her get the support she may need
The postpartum experience is physically and emotionally challenging. Many women may be experiencing the following:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Feelings of low self esteem
- High expectations of self
- Difficult infant characteristic
- Negative birth experiences, high intervention or birth trauma.
- Feeling alone, lack of supports
- Breast feeding challenges/ feeding issues in the baby
- Body image concerns about pregnancy weight.
Postpartum recovery, ballancing needs of baby, self and the rest of the family is not an overnight transition. The expectations of going back to work in 6 -12 weeks due to financial pressure is not realistic or respectful to women’s needs. It is often not possible with postpartum depression or anxiety. The needs of new mothers the first year, after giving birth, are under acknowledged!