Did you know?

• Up to 80% of moms feel sad, anxious, vulnerable, cry more frequently and experience mood swings up to ten days after having a baby?
  
• About one in eight moms will continue to feel this way two weeks or longer after delivery?
  
• Additional symptoms may surface including a short temper, feelings of hopelessness, lack of interest in or overly concerned with the baby, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating?
  
• When moms do not seek help for these experiences there is a 50% chance that she will continue to feel this way one year after giving birth?
  
  Approximately 2,000 moms in Western New York will experience postpartum depression each year. These moms do not need to suffer in silence. However, most moms will not discuss her thoughts or feelings with professionals, family members or friends. Sometimes this is due to moms not knowing that what she has been experiencing is postpartum depression, other times it is because she does not know what to do or is afraid to tell someone.
  
  To address these issues, I will be writing a four part series discussing postpartum depression as well as other postpartum mood conditions. The first part in this series will help moms to identify risk factors and symptoms of postpartum mood changes. The second part will provide information on how to address symptoms with medical and mental health professionals, spiritual directors/counselors, and with family members. Part three will suggest different self-help strategies and a “family plan”, and part four will suggest ways to advocate for moms’ postpartum needs in the community.
  
  If there are other postpartum mood-related questions or areas that you would like more information about, please feel free to write in and ask.

Labels: Postpartum Depression in Western New York - Introduction to a four part series