Maternal Mental Health Archives - Page 5 of 5

29 07, 2014

Postpartum Anxiety is More Common Than Postpartum Depression, But Rarely Screened

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:00-08:00July 29th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: mental health, perinatal mental health, postpartum, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum anxiety|2 Comments

Most people have heard of postpartum depression. With good reason. It affects 1 in 7 new mothers. But what about postpartum anxiety? Most studies document that this “other postpartum” mental health concern is even more common than PPD, with as many as 1 in 5 new moms struggling with postpartum anxiety. 1 in 5!

photo credit: sunset girl via unsplash

When suddenly a parent for the first time, there is much to worry about. I remember watching my first baby as a newborn sleep at night, worrying she would stop breathing in the middle of the night. And then there is breastfeeding… is baby getting enough milk? Is she gaining enough weight? Does he […]

10 07, 2014

Postpartum Couples: Keeping a Strong Relationship After Baby

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:00-08:00July 10th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: postpartum, relationship, san diego, therapy for postpartum couples|2 Comments

The postpartum stage is not just a vulnerable time for mothers, but for couples and their relationships. Baby changes EVERYTHING. The bad news is that relationship satisfaction tanks for over two-thirds of couples after a baby. * Worse, 50% of marriages end in divorce after 7 years. The good news is that there are things we can do to keep relationships strong, happy, and satisfying after growing from a couple to a family. Loving that little squish is easy. Staying kind and calm and forgiving with your spouse when you are both sleep deprived, stressed and possibly hormonal? Read on…

Here are my top 6 tips for keeping your relationship strong after baby:

1. Go to bed at the same time, in the same bed.

I am all for cosleeping […]

14 05, 2014

Helping Parents Overcome the Trauma of the NICU Experience

By Abigail Burd|2014-10-15T09:56:19-07:00May 14th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: mental health, NICU, post traumatic stress, postpartum depression, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|2 Comments

Thanks to my association with the Postpartum Health Alliance, I recently attended a lecture by Dr. Krishelle Marc-Aurele, of UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Neonatology Division, on “Coping with the NICU experience.” Dr. Marc-Aurele is board certified in pediatrics, internal medicine, neonatalogy, and palliative medicine. She has been a Medical Director at San Diego Hospice and neonatal attending at UCSD. She is also a lovely human being who conveys a genuine caring for her patients, a deep understanding of very difficult times, and a sincere desire for families to overcome the trauma of the NICU experience.

Her talk covered birth stress and birth trauma for parents who have had experiences in the neonatal intensive care unit. I was surprised to learn how prevalent birth trauma can be, which she states […]

25 03, 2014

Natural Baby Pros

By Abigail Burd|2014-03-25T17:57:41-07:00March 25th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: natural baby, pregnancy resources, san diego|0 Comments

I am lucky to live and work in San Diego, California, where there is a vibrant community for pregnant women and families of babies and young children. Recently I have been networking with Natural Baby Pros. Natural Baby Pros produce an annual event called the Natural Baby Fair and have a wealth of information and resources on their website. Click through to explore!

17 03, 2014

Postpartum Health Alliance Member Provider

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:01-08:00March 17th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health, Postpartum Health Alliance|Tags: perinatal mental health, postpartum anxiety, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|2 Comments

I am proud to support the Postpartum Health Alliance. The PHA has supported women in San Diego since 1998 by focusing on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Also known as “Maternal Mental Health,” Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), which include Postpartum Depression, affect 1 in 8 pregnant and new mothers.

And I am very proud to have been approved as an official provider, or psychotherapist approved by the Postpartum Health Alliance. And I can now share that the PHA is very careful in screening therapists before recommending them to pregnant and new parents. The PHA provides support and referrals for treatment through their “warmline,” which is staffed by trained volunteers. The warmline takes messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be reached at 619-254-0023.

Want to know if you may be at risk for postpartum depression or depression during pregnancy?

3 03, 2014

7 Ways To Find Your Circle of Support When Pregnant and Postpartum

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:01-08:00March 3rd, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: depression during pregnancy, mental health, perinatal mental health, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, pregnancy, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|3 Comments

Pregnancy changes many things. One thing you may find is that your old circle of friends no longer understand what you are going through. Just when you need more support. So how can you find or create support when pregnant or a new parent?

7 ways to find your circle of support when pregnant and postpartum

1. Birth education classes

Challenge yourself to strike up a conversation with at least one interesting woman during one of your birth education classes.

2. Consult existing friends who already have kids

Parents love to give advice to those following their footsteps!

3. Online support

Find a Facebook group of local women going through the same thing. Google+ can be a great place to find communities with common interests. And Babycenter and What to Expect have “birth month clubs” that can be […]

13 02, 2014

Free Yoga Class This Sunday for Parents Who Have Experienced Loss

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:02-08:00February 13th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Giveaways/Free Resources, Maternal Mental Health|0 Comments

Once a month, including this Sunday, Nature’s Whisper School of Yoga, offers a community yoga class for parents, especially mothers, who have experienced the loss of a baby.

This free class is available for mothers who have experienced the loss of a child; offering a place for mother’s to move, and let the feelings of love and grief co-exist in a safe space together. This is a beginner class, and focuses on breath and movement, and hoping to connect women who are experiencing the deep grief of the death of a child, no matter how distant or recent the loss.

The class is taught by Carla Grossini-Concha. A few words from Carla,

“After losing my first born child just shortly after delivery at full term, I was devastated, and in deep and complicated […]

8 02, 2014

Traditional Family Roles Contribute to Maternal Isolation and Depression

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:02-08:00February 8th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|8 Comments

I recently read Julie M. Smith’s article on “The Anthropology of Providing and Nurturing.” She challenges the notion of a “traditional family” consisting of a father who works and a mother who stays home to nurture the children. As an anthropologist, she examines the roles historically taken by each parent.

What’s more, she discusses the risk to maternal mental health in continuing this model. She writes:

“It’s unusual cross-culturally and historically for mothers to go it alone in the isolation of a single-family household while dad goes off to work. It’s very difficult to figure out how to be a mother for the first time, without someone more experienced there to coach you along the way and give you lots of breaks. The isolation and the overwhelm contribute to maternal […]

7 02, 2014

Mental Health Starts in the Womb

By Abigail Burd|2014-02-08T16:59:28-08:00February 7th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: depression during pregnancy, mental health, pregnancy|2 Comments

You take your folic acid up to a year before conception… You take your great-aunt’s advice to eat carrots while pregnant so the baby will have good eyesight… But have you thought about your unborn baby’s mental health?

Relax! I don’t mean to pile on more things to worry about. Please read Marcy Axness’ great article on Natural Baby Pros: “Mental Health Begins in the Womb” for the full story. But I’ll give you the takeaway: take care of the mom! Helping a pregnant mom to feel good and manage stress during the pregnancy makes all the difference to her unborn child.

(Photo from the original article.)

6 02, 2014

Online Test for Depression During Pregnancy and Up to One Year Postpartum

By Abigail Burd|2019-11-18T14:31:02-08:00February 6th, 2014|Categories: Blog, Giveaways/Free Resources, Maternal Mental Health|Tags: depression during pregnancy, postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, san diego therapist, therapy for postpartum depression|2 Comments

Pregnancy and the postpartum stage are times of major changes: physically, emotionally, socially, professionally, hormonally…. you get the idea… just about everything is shook up. Anxiety and the blues are common. But when is it more than just baby blues???

When is it time to reach out to a mental health professional for postpartum depression?

Take this ten question online test* and see. A score of 10 or more (out of 30 possible points) is usually an indication to talk to a professional therapist or doctor.

–> Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale <–

*The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely used, 10 question questionnaire, to help screen for postpartum depression. It can also be used during pregnancy.

–> If you are having thoughts of […]

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