Marin Voice: Not just ‘baby blues,’ postpartum depression is real and treatable

Welcoming a new child to the family can be one of life’s happiest occasions.  But for some new parents, the period after the new baby comes home is unexpectedly more difficult.

Some women may experience a mild case of “baby blues.” Others may struggle with longer lasting feelings of numbness, grief, exhaustion, anxiety or darkness that are difficult to manage.

Perinatal mood disorders (from pregnancy to first-year postpartum) can make it difficult for new parents to take care of their baby or themselves. Left untreated, these conditions also put babies at risk for problems with learning, behavior, normal development and mental health conditions later in life.

Pregnancy causes rapid changes in the body. The steep spike and drop in hormones can cause uncontrollable mood shifts.  Add sleep deprivation and isolation, and the early months of parenthood can bring on feelings of despair, hopelessness and anxiety.

Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are the single most common complication of pregnancy.

In California about one in five people suffers from mental health issues during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Among people of color, the risk is higher – more than 1 in 3 suffer from postpartum depression.

These experiences are common enough that suicide is the second most common cause of death for birthing people in the first year after the baby arrives.  This is absolutely tragic.

On Thursday, California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos will be in San Rafael to talk to the Marin Communications Forum about the importance of maternal mental health. She will also highlight the connection to toxic stress and traumatic experiences in childhood known as “adverse childhood events,” or ACEs.

Children who experience ACEs such as abuse, neglect, financial hardship and parental substance abuse are at higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression when they have children of their own. And perinatal mental health disorders in parents increase the risk of children experiencing ACEs.

For families in Marin to thrive, we need to break this vicious cycle.  To achieve this, we need to ensure that all new parents are screened for anxiety and depression and linked to care.

Currently, 3-in-4 people in the U.S. with a perinatal mental illness do not get the treatment they need — which is both tragic and unacceptable, because even for the most serious disorders, we know how to help.

While mental health professionals play an important role, every member of the community can help support new parents. This kind of connection and support can reduce stress and the risk of anxiety and depression. Play groups; new parents’ groups; access to child care; safe places to play and exercise; and a friendly, nonjudgmental listening ear from friends and neighbors can go a long way.

Marin is fortunate to have the Postpartum Support Center, a San Rafael nonprofit organization dedicated to helping new parents navigate the perinatal period, reduce parental stress and build effective support systems. It is a great resource for information and referrals.

Connecting every new parent to the care they deserve requires everyone to act: medical providers to offer screening and treatment; policymakers to allocate funding; constituents to demand change; and, most of all, every community member to look for ways to support new parents.

To the new parents and expectant parents who may be struggling and don’t know where to turn: Support is out there. Help is out there. You are not alone.

For support and resources related to pregnancy and parenthood, call the Postpartum Support Center of Marin at 415-320-6707. If you or someone you know needs help, call National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-TLC-MAMA (833-852-6262)

If you would like to learn more about maternal mental health, join the next Marin Communications Forum on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4:30 pm at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in San Rafael. This is a free event co-sponsored by Marin County Health and Human Services and First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission.  Email Michelle@First5Marin.org to RSVP.

Susan Whalen is the maternal child and adolescent health coordinator for Marin County Health and Human Services.