Postpartum Resource Group Builds a Network
Childbirth is made out to be a magical moment between mother and child. They go through unimaginable pain to produce a living human being that they feel undying love for. From first contact, the mother has this overpowering love for this tiny human. Right?
When they return home and the “real world” things often change. They may start to feel down and like something is wrong. This is often attributed to having baby blues, but too often, it may be bigger than that. In fact, 1 in 10 women in the US will experience a case of postpartum depression, with some studies suggesting 1 in 5.
Mental Health and Motherhood
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell who is more likely to experience PPD (Postpartum Depression), since it is a case of mental health and does not discriminate. PPD is more intense than baby blues and lasts typically 3–6 months (varying by factors) while baby blues resolves on its own within a few days.
The CDC lists the symptoms as thus:
- Crying more often than usual
- Feelings of anger
- Withdrawing from loved ones
- Feeling numb or disconnected from the baby
- Worrying that you will hurt the baby
- Feeling guilty about not being a good mom or doubting your ability to care for the baby.
While the time frame of postpartum isn’t clearly defined, practitioners typically define this period as from birth to when the child is around two-years-old. However, only half of mothers with PPD are not diagnosed by a health professional, but 80% of the diagnosed cases achieve a full recovery.
Approximately four million live births occur each year in the US, equating to around 600,000 PPD diagnosis.
A CDC study done using the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) showed that 1 in 8 women who recently gave a live birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression. It is common and it is treatable, but when it comes to mental health those suffering from it can feel afraid of admitting their feelings. Why? A variety of reasons.
There is help available, however.
The Network and Doulas
The Postpartum Resource Group (PPRG) is a nonprofit based in Kalispell, Montana, that has created something they call The Network. This network consists of postpartum doulas that are certified through Child Birth International. PPRG further trains them in their mission.
A doula (meaning “woman who serves” in Greek) is a trained professional who provides support to the postpartum family. While they are not technically medical practitioners, they do provide vital knowledge, empathy, resources, compassion, and physical support. There are currently seven doulas in The Network.
Brooke Jaszcak, director of The Network, says that The Network is the middle-man between the provider and client. It is as though the mother could take the provider home with her. Brooke admits that there are other postpartum doulas, but PPRG has been able to bring them into an organization and provide their service for free.
During a visit to their provider, the mother should speak up about her struggles and then the provider can refer her to PPRG as a low-barrier entry. This is a coalition, a group of different providers to help during this period, known as Maternal Coalition Health.
Thankfully, the rate of women who recover from PPD is high, however the definition of a full recovery is not clearly defined. The symptoms are very personal to the individual dealing with PPD, thus the recovery is personal. Even though practitioners define postpartum as the child being two years old, the mother could be continuing treatment for PPD well past that.
Further recovery could be defined as continuing family support, education in coping skills, and regular practice of self-help. While there are other postpartum doulas, there hasn’t been an organization with free services for postpartum. Through the coalition and Postpartum Resource Group, the overlooked aspect of mental health in new mothers is answered.
