Mom, Mama, Mommy: An Introduction to Maternal Mental Health

Becoming a mother is an incredibly beautiful yet complex transition. It’s also a little scary because there is always that question of “Why didn’t anyone tell me about THAT?!”

An estimated 80% of new mothers experience what is referred to as “the baby blues” and includes mood swings and excessive crying within the first 2-3 weeks after birth. This is considered a normal adjustment period as the body’s hormones adjust and often resolve without treatment.  However, 1 in 5 women experience a maternal mental health condition. This includes diagnosis such as postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum rage, Obsessive symptoms, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar and on occasion psychosis (occurring in 1-2 per thousand births). These maternal mental health conditions can also occur for women who have experienced a miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, or infant loss. 

These perinatal disorders have no singular cause, they result from a combination of psychological, social, and biological stressors. Risk factors include personal or family history of mood or anxiety disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder), sensitivity to hormone changes, financial stress, marital stress, recent major life events, mothers of multiples, mothers whose infants are in Neonatal Intensive Care, women with thyroid imbalance, or women with any form of diabetes (type 1, 2 or gestational).

In this blog post, we will highlight some of the signs and symptoms of more common perinatal mental health diagnosis. This is not comprehensive, and symptoms can appear anytime during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth. Postpartum depression has earned the nickname “the smiling depression” because moms often try to maintain a happy face even when depressed but it is so important for all moms to know that they did not do anything “wrong” if they experience these symptoms and it is ok to ask for help. 

Signs and symptoms to look out for include: 

• Feelings of anger or irritability

• Lack of interest in the baby

• Crying and sadness

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness

• Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• Thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

• Constant worry

• Racing thoughts

• Disturbances of sleep and appetite

• Intrusive re-experiencing of a past traumatic event (which in this case may have been the childbirth itself)

• Flashbacks or nightmares

• Hypervigilance 

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Feeling a sense of unreality and detachment

• Delusions or strange beliefs

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)

• Hyperactivity

• Severe depression or flat affect

• Paranoia and suspiciousness

• Rapid mood swings

Learn how to ask for help and who to reach out to.

Women who experience perinatal mental health concerns find relief and successful recovery through a variety of approaches including professional support and treatment (counseling and/or medication), support from others, and self-care through exercise, adequate sleep, healthy diet, bright light therapy, yoga, relaxation techniques, or natural remedies

Here are some of my favorite tips for women who are pregnant or have recently become mothers:

• Learn how to ask for help and who to reach out to.

• Be your own biggest advocate at medical appointments. You know your body best!

• Identify triggers with your baby and know when to step back to regulate and how to regulate, be able to communicate these needs to your partner or other supportive individuals. 

• Identify your signs of burnout/overwhelm before it happens.

• Set up a few counseling sessions ahead of time for after your baby is born so you don’t even have to think about it and you have extra support waiting. It is always nice as a new mom to have a space just for you and to be able to talk about anything.

• Find support with other new moms through meetup groups or local support groups. 

One of the most helpful things to remember as a mom is that your baby is new to this too and they aren’t trying to psychologically torture you; they are trying to understand this new world and figure things out and learn about you too! It’s a new relationship and it’s ok if it takes time to build it. 

If you have a friend or loved one who is postpartum you can support them by learning the symptoms of postpartum mental health, encouraging professional support, being willing to listen, affirm them as a parent and a person, and make plans with them to provide community and engagement. As a new parent there are so many decisions that must be made and telling people what you need can feel overwhelming. You can support your loved ones by offering specific help vs “can I do anything?” Offer specifics like “I’d like to bring you dinner tonight, any preferences? I’m running errands, can I bring you any snacks or household supplies? I’m at Starbucks, what would you like? 

Help is available 24/7 through Postpartum Support International’s helpline (800-944-4773) and the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (833-943-5764). In an emergency you can call or text 988.