Having a baby is generally thought of as an exciting event. However, some will struggle with this experience. Approximately 23 percent of Canadian women will experience Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) [1]. This equates to about 91 Yukon women per year [2]. This rate can be higher in marginalized groups.
A key component in the development, seriousness, intensity of symptoms, and the effectiveness of treatment, is social support [3]. In the Yukon, approximately of 46 percent of parents report turning to friends and family for support with PMADs [2]. Therefore, it’s important for partners, friends, and family to be equip with knowledge on perinatal distress.
Facts:
- PMADs are real illnesses that impact approximately 23 percent of birthing parents.
- The baby blues or some form of postpartum distress can be normal in the first two weeks after birth. Symptoms that persist past two weeks can be an indication of PMADs.
- PMADs consist of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar, or psychosis.
- PMADs can arise anytime during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum. However, recent research has found that depressive symptoms can persist for three years postpartum [4]
- PMADs DO get better with the right support and treatment.
- Without treatment, symptoms can be long lasting and have far reaching effects. For example, untreated PMADs are linked to poor infant social, cognitive, and behavioral development, as well as, increased risk for later child mental health problems [5].
Signs & Symptoms:
- irritable or angry
- anxious or worried all the time
- sad or crying a lot
- withdrawing from friends, family, their baby, or other activities that previously brought them joy
- overly preoccupied with their baby or have little interest in their baby
- hypervigilant or alert
- having difficulty resting or sleeping
- over, or under, eating
- exhausted or have physical complaints
- trying hard to look and act like everything is fine
- not themselves
This is not an exhaustive list of signs and symptoms. Learn more about specific PMADs here.
Signs Of An Emergency
- Talking about hurting themselves or their baby
- Bizarre thinking patterns or behaviours (high highs and low lows)
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Withdrawal from all social contact
- Risk taking or self-destructive behaviours
- Inability to take care of themselves or their baby
- Extreme and persistent feelings of hopelessness
- Saying things like “you would be better off without me,” or other expressions of suicidal ideation
If you’re concerned that a parent and baby may be in danger, please don’t leave them alone. Call 911, bring them to your local emergency department or community health centre, or contact their health care provider right away. You can also dial 811 for guidance.
How You Can Help
- Listen and validate without judgement. Don’t try and fix it.
- Be patient
- Provide breaks
- Offer emotional support & reassurance
- Help with daily tasks without being asked
- Prepare meals & snacks
- Help with feeding. If your partner is exclusively breastfeeding you can help by changing the baby’s diaper and getting the baby back to sleep. If your partner pumps or bottle feeds you can help by washing pump parts and bottles.
- Remind them that this temporary & not their fault
- Encourage them to talk about their feelings and seek support
- Point out their strengths & achievements. Notice them, not the baby.
- Educate yourself on PMADs and postpartum experiences
- Ask how you can help. However, they may not have an answer. If this is the case, it can be helpful to state how you’re going to help. For example, “I’m going to take the baby for a walk so you can have a shower.” I’m going to start dinner.”
What To Say To Someone Who Is Experiencing Perinatal Distress
- Having a baby can be challenging. How are you doing?
- Having a new baby can bring on strong feelings that are experienced by many new moms. How are you managing?
- I’ve noticed that you don’t seem like yourself. I’m here if you want to talk.
- I can see that you’re struggling, but you don’t have to feel this way. There are resources and professionals specifically to support new moms.
- I’ve noticed _________, and I’m concerned. Have you considered talking to someone?
- It might be helpful to talk to your doctor. Would you like me to come with you?
- I had a friend who felt the same as you after having a baby. They found it helpful to see a counsellor trained in perinatal mental health.
- What do you need right now?
- You’re a great mom. Your baby is lucky to have you.
Supporting Yourself
Sometimes it can feel like no matter what you do or say, it’s not the right thing. Maybe you’re unsure what to do or maybe you’re struggling yourself (partners can also experience PMADs). If this is the case, it may be time to seek support for yourself:
- Speak with your health care provider
- Seek counselling for yourself or for help in supporting your loved one
- Spend time with your social support network
- Exercise
- Get enough sleep
- Spend time in nature
- Stay hydrated and maintain a nutrient dense diet
- Spend time doing things that bring you joy
- Attend support groups
You can’t take care of others if you’re not taking care of yourself!
DISCLAIMER: The content of Postpartum Support Yukon’s website, posts, and blogs does not constitute medical advice, nor is it an emergency service. These are recommendations and suggestions that may or may not work for the person in your life. If you have concerns about any health or medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call, or go to, your health care provider, local emergency department, 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Postpartum Support Yukon is intended for informational purposes only.
References
[1] Statistics Canada. (2019). Maternal mental health in Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/daily-quotidien/190624/dq190624b-eng.pdf?st=4mvVt9Yr
[2] Kaiser, S. (2023). Perinatal mental health in Yukon. Postpartum Support Yukon.
[3] Haeusslein, L., Gano, D., Gay, C. L., Kriz, R. M., Bisgaard, R., Vega, M., Cormier, D. M., Joe, P., Walker, V., Kim, J. H., Lin, C., Sun, Y., & Franck, L. S. (2021). Relationship between social support and post-discharge mental health symptoms in mothers of preterm infants. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, 1–15. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2021.1984404
[4] Putnick, D. L., Sundaram, R., Bell, E. M., Ghassabian, A., Goldstein, R. B., Robinson, S. L., Vafai, Y., Gilman, S. E., & Yeung, E. (2020). Trajectories of Maternal Postpartum Depressive Symptoms. Pediatrics, 146(5), e20200857. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-0857
[5] Ko, J. Y., PhD., & Haight, S. C., M.P.H. (2020). Addressing perinatal mental health and opportunities for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 110(6), 765-767. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305663
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