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10
Key Facts About Maternal Mental Health
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It
is a myth that pregnancy is a universally glowing, happy time
and that new parenthood is "the most wonderful time in
your life."
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The
reality is that symptoms of depression and anxiety occur in
ten to twenty percent of expectant and new mothers. This means
that these emotional symptoms are the most common complication
of pregnancy, affecting up to 800,000 women per year
in the USA.
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Depression
and anxiety during pregnancy can decrease blood flow through
the umbilical cord, resulting in low birth weight, small head
circumference, and possible effects on the baby's brain development.
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Depression
and anxiety in the mother after birth can affect the parent-child
relationship, resulting in developmental, learning, and behavioral
problems in the child.
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Postpartum
depression is a misnomer; symptoms of anxiety in new mothers
are more common.
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Women
are not to blame! Maternal mental illness is not a weakness,
and women cannot will themselves better. Women with a personal
or family history of emotional difficulties are at greatest
risk.
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Warning
signs during pregnancy or postpartum includes difficulties with
sleeping, eating, or caring for herself or the baby, thoughts
about hurting herself or the baby, or intense feelings of energy,
anxiety, or sadness.
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Postpartum
obsessions, thought about harm that can come to the baby, affect
3-5% of new mothers. These thoughts represent no danger to the
baby, and can be distinguished from postpartum psychosis, where
there is risk for the baby.
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Education
is the first line of defense, because realistic expectations
about new parenthood can decrease the occurrence of depression
and anxiety.
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Help
is available! These disorders are treatable.
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