MENTAL HEALTH

RISK FACTORS FOR POSTPARTUM BLUES

Pregnancy can be a time of joy and excitement, but mothers also experience a wide range of emotions that can be overwhelming. After delivery, most mothers will develop some form of “baby blues,” and experience sadness, weepiness and emotions that change quickly. Typically, the baby blues start within a few days of delivery, but goes away on its own without treatment. However, many women experience more severe mood disorders.
 

If you have a postpartum mood disorder, such as depression or anxiety, it can impact your health, and can lead to poor bonding with your baby and higher incidences of mental health issues for your child. Risk factors for postpartum mood disorders include family history, lack of support, financial stress and pregnancy complications. These feelings should not be ignored.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,

• 44 percent of Black mothers reported symptoms of depression or mood change compared to 31 percent of White mothers.

• 1 in 5 women develop a significant mental health problem during pregnancy or after childbirth, including anxiety or depression.

These differences are attributed to the fact that a large proportion of Black mothers have additional risk factors, including a lack of access to quality medical care, childcare, and social support—all of which contribute to increased stress.

ACCESS TO QUALITY MEDICAL CARE IS CRITICAL

With increased access to treatment and support services, mothers can address postpartum mood disorders and help minimize disruption to their lives and their babies’ lives. If you are having intense emotions that don’t feel normal or you don’t feel like yourself, reach out to your doctor or someone you trust to find support and keep yourself and your baby healthy.

• Call your doctor

• Tell a friend or loved one

• Take advantage of your support services

• Call Healthy Start