Unfortunately, when the topic of mental health is brought up, there’s often a stigma around those who talk about it - especially with new and expecting mothers. However, as you welcome your little one into your life, it becomes even more incredibly important than ever to take care of your mind, know the signs of poor mental health, and know when—and how—to ask for help.
Let’s begin by learning why women can be more susceptible to mental illnesses in comparison to men, then dive into common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as share Moreland’s resources and support for your emotional health journey.
Anxiety and depression are simply more prevalent in females because women’s bodies and mental health capabilities are affected differently during different time periods. Adolescence, reproductive years, perimenopause, and menopause are all developmental stages for women that interact differently with their mental health.
Furthermore, as hormones increase and preparation for the baby take over thoughts, the chances of struggling with mental health can increase.
Pregnancy can bring on spikes in mood and feelings of stress and exhaustion alike. But while short-term lapses of these feelings are normal, it’s important to understand the signs of something more serious. Broader mental health concerns related to pregnancy can arise at any time during your pregnancy, especially during the fourth trimester (the 12 weeks following birth). If your symptoms last longer than two weeks, it’s essential to connect with your physician to get further support and treatment.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (commonly referred to as PMAD) can range in severity and encompass the four key postpartum disorders seen most often in new and expecting mothers.
Approximately 15 to 20% of women experience a PMAD after giving birth. Another 10% of women experience a PMAD in the antepartum period (during pregnancy). The chance of developing a PMAD is significantly higher for women who are coping with poverty and twice as high as those numbers for teenage moms.
However, even without the prior disadvantages present in a woman’s life during or after pregnancy, postpartum depression is still the most common medical complication after childbirth. This even includes complications involving physical health issues postpartum.
The five most common postpartum mental health disorders for women are postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, postpartum psychosis, and postpartum traumatic stress disorder.
As the most common mental health risk during and after pregnancy, it’s important to understand postpartum depression symptoms. Common symptoms include but are not limited to:
Symptoms of postpartum anxiety can occur on their own or in addition to the symptoms of postpartum depression. The most common signs include but are not limited to:
While less common, Postpartum OCD is important to understand as women enter motherhood. Studies show an estimated 3 to 5% of new mothers will experience these symptoms and do not need a history of past OCD symptoms for diagnosis. Symptoms include but are not limited to:
Postpartum psychosis occurs in 0.1 to 0.2% of postpartum patients. It is rare but it is a medical emergency. Symptoms usually begin and are usually sudden within the first two weeks after giving birth.
The symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include:
Women with postpartum psychosis can hurt themselves and their children. The good news is that it is treatable, however, it is a medical emergency.
Please remember that if you are talking with your nurse or provider about your feelings of anxiety or depression, this does not mean that somebody will call the police or that you have to go to the emergency room. Postpartum psychosis is rare but still very important to address. Postpartum depression and anxiety are much more common and our staff and providers are here to support you.
Matrescence, or the transition into motherhood, is centered around how your body reacts and changes throughout each stage of pregnancy. As life changes around you with a growing family, disruptions to your career, and relationships impacted, matrescence is the idea of how your body reacts to everything that pregnancy and motherhood encompasses.
As you begin your journey through the effects of matrescence, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. One of the first steps to managing your emotional health is seeking help from counseling and talk therapy services. This is why Moreland OB-GYN has partnered with Cornerstone Counseling to ensure that expecting mothers have every resource available for a healthy and happy delivery and beyond.
Here at Moreland, it’s important to us that we provide you with every resource we can to ensure you’re taken care of at each stage of your pregnancy and life. This is why we’ve partnered with Cornerstone Counseling and other local therapists. If you ever experience symptoms of a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, we will support you each step of the way with check-ins and expert therapists that place women’s mental health as their top priority.
We encourage our patients to reach out to the resources that we refer them to but if your financial situation or coverage isn't a great fit, let us know and we can offer additional resources.
Moreland takes pride in being unique in how we approach patient care. This means having an outreach nurse that calls you two weeks and six weeks postpartum to check on you, look for signs of necessary additional support, provide a listening ear and a caring heart, and be there to refer you to a counselor if desired or help set up an appointment with their provider or APP.
If you ever need support between check-ins, know that you can always reach out to our triage department to get immediate help.
The providers at Moreland OB-GYN are dedicated to providing women with compassionate OB-GYN care throughout their life. This includes complete obstetrical care, gynecology, gynecologic and obstetric surgery, fertility services, preventive health care, and more.
You can request an appointment online or give us a call at (262) 544-4411. We have convenient locations in Brookfield, Mukwonago, Oconomowoc, Sussex, Watertown, and Waukesha.