Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
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May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and we would like to encourage all new, expecting, and potential mothers to “Speak up when you’re down.” So much happens when you are pregnant and become a new mother—your body, lifestyle, and attention shifts in order to make way for your baby. With all these new transitions, it’s very easy to put your needs on the back burner, and ignore personal feelings of depression or sadness.
More than half of new moms get the “Baby Blues,” a time when they feel tearful and easily upset because of all the new changes in their bodies after giving birth. Most of the time, these feelings will only last for a short time. If you feel this way for longer than 2 weeks, call your doctor – it may be more than just “Baby Blues.”
Here are some signs to pay attention to:
- Feeling down almost every day.
- Losing interest in all things you enjoy.
- Sleeping too much or too little.
- Not keeping up your appearance.
- Feeling restless or angry.
If you find you are struggling with depression or sadness during or after your pregnancy, reach out! Talk to your doctor, or call 2-1-1 for Help Me Grow. Specialists there can connect you to the help you need.
For more information about postpartum mental health: Postpartum.net (this link takes you to a blank page – can you make the link to the landing page?
For more information about Help Me Grow: Help Me Grow