The journey into motherhood is filled with joy, but it can be accompanied by unexpected challenges. One of the most common challenges is experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, or “PMAD.”
A PMAD is a mental health disorder that occurs during pregnancy, immediately postpartum, or sometimes months after welcoming a new baby into the family. Unlike the “baby blues,” which typically resolve within the first few weeks postpartum, PMADs can last longer, are more intense, and can interfere with day-to-day life.
The past few years have ushered in an era of greater awareness and discussion about PMADs. Yet, postpartum mental health needs are still under-diagnosed and under-treated. Stigma surrounding mental health persists. And comprehensive prenatal education for mothers about PMADS – including what to watch out for and types of support – doesn’t always happen.
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health and well-being. Below are six facts about perinatal mental health every new mom (and every friend to a new mom) should know. Because the more you know, the better you can advocate for support—whether for yourself or a loved one.
1. Postpartum depression is on the rise.
In New York State, an estimated 10% of women who recently gave birth will experience postpartum depression (PPD). Research also suggests that PPD rates have increased over the past decade, with nearly 14% of mothers nationally experiencing PPD.
2. There are multiple types of PMADs.
Postpartum depression is the most well-known PMAD, but certainly not the only one. PMADS include other diagnoses, such as postpartum anxiety, postpartum PTSD, and postpartum OCD. See a full list of PMADs here.
3. How you feel during pregnancy is an important indicator.
Research suggests that most mothers who have PPD experience symptoms prior to delivery. One study found that 27% of women with PPD had symptoms start before pregnancy, and 33% had symptoms start during pregnancy. The silver lining? There’s an opportunity to be proactive. If you are pregnant and experience symptoms of depression, share your experience with your provider. They can proactively monitor your symptoms and refer you to appropriate support sooner than later. And if you have a friend or loved one who seems like they may be struggling prenatally, don’t be afraid to gently speak up and ask if they could use support.
4. The most common screening tools aren’t designed to catch all PMADS.
If you are pregnant or have given birth, odds are that you’ve filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen. It is the most common postpartum mental health screen, designed to identify new mothers who need a referral for depression. It is an important tool. However, it will not necessarily identify other PMADs, such as postpartum PTSD. Why does that matter? You can “score” within normal limits on the standard depression screen, but still have a treatable PMAD. If you don’t feel like yourself, regardless of how you score on depression screens, speak up. Your doctor – or a qualified mental health provider – can use other tools to pinpoint what’s going on and connect you to appropriate support.
5. Disparities in PMAD treatment persist.
Research shows that women of color are at higher risk of postpartum depression. However, women of color receive postpartum depression screening less frequently than white women, and are less likely to receive mental health treatment postpartum. Additionally, women with Medicaid, a proxy for lower-income, report higher rates of depressive symptoms, but receive screens less frequently than women with private insurance. Until we address these disparities at the health system level, individuals in these groups are at a greater risk of suffering from untreated PMADs.
6. PMADS are medical diagnoses that can be treated. Hope and support is available.
The good news is that there are effective treatment options for perinatal mental health issues. And treatment is not one-size fits all. PMAD supports can include: one-on-one therapy, group therapy, support groups, peer support, medications, and more. There are options for every diagnosis, comfort level, and set of circumstances.
No one should battle a mental health challenge alone. If you or someone you love needs support, help is available. There is a wide variety of resources both local to Rochester and nationally. See below for our starter list.
National Resources:
- Postpartum Support International’s online mental health support groups
- The Loveland Foundation’s therapy fund for Black women and girls
- The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) *not for emergencies*
