Maternal Mental Health Matters: Thoughts from your Therapist Palm Desert
Maternal Depression Affects Pregnancy and Postpartum
Regardless of age, ethnicity, social status, or educational level, 10% to 20% of women who are still feeling distress after the first two weeks postpartum will be experiencing symptoms serious enough to interfere with their everyday functioning. Their perinatal distress will require treatment to improve. With the right help, they will get better.
Maternal depression is the number one complication of pregnancy and childbirth.
Affecting approximately one million women in the United States, postpartum depression is often used as an umbrella term for a wide range of mood disorders that are also known as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs).
The Perinatal Period
Perinatal refers to the the preconception period, pregnancy itself, and the child’s first year of life. PMADs can occur at any time during pregnancy, following miscarriage, stillbirth or termination, and up to one year after delivery. They include a spectrum of disorders: depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD), and postpartum psychosis.* This category of mental health disorders has serious consequences for mothers, infants and families regardless of ethnicity, race, age or income level.
Treatment and Healing are Available
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are highly treatable. However, when left untreated, the effects on the fetus, newborn, developing child and family can be profound. Research suggests that clinical, therapeutic interventions may prevent or lessen the intensity and duration of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Therapist Palm Desert. Lauren Fox, LCSW is a Maternal Mental Health Specialist working in the Coachella Valley and virtually throughout the state of California.
*Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis can include but are not limited to: seeing or hearing things that are not there, suspiciousness, decreased need for sleep, rapid mood changes, bizarre delusions/commands (sometimes to harm the baby). If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, or feel that you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or your baby, please call 911 or go to your local emergency department.
A Free Consultation with your Therapist Palm Desert
I hope this information helps you to consider the importance of Maternal Mental Health. If you are in need of a Maternal Mental Health specialist, reach out to me! Or feel free to call me at 805-930-9355 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help connect you with the right provider. If you are looking for help with pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma or hypnotherapy, you can read more about how I can help within this website.
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