The obscene and alarming rates of postpartum depression and anxiety in America is almost as common knowledge as the high rates of cesarean sections. Most of us have experienced the lows of the postpartum so understand why our sisters are struggling. We’re also struggling with the lack of adequate response on what it will take to improve these outcomes. Take a look at the dismal state.
Statistics
A whopping 15-20% of women will experience postpartum depression and anxiety also known as PPD and PPA.
According to the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prevalence increased from 9.4% in 2010 to 19.3% in 2021.
Maternal suicide is number one cause of death of women after childbirth in the first year.
The Postpartum Period
The 4th trimester is a soul shaking, earth shattering time in a woman’s life. The postpartum hormone drop is the single largest hormone change in the shortest amount of time for any human being in life. This alone warrants a lot of support for the birthing mama, support that is nearly absent in this country.
I remember when my doula visited me a few days after I had given birth and asked my husband how I was doing. “Great! he said. “She’s happy”. “Just wait”, she responded”. And, she was right. That first week, your body is still on the high of oxytocin from birthing. Then, as the weeks pass, the hormones fluctuations begin.
The lack of support for birthing mothers, lack of maternity leave, lack of resources, poor diet, breastfeeding challenges, birth trauma, birth recovery etc. can all contribute to depression and anxiety. These are not the fault or failure of the mother. They are the failure of her society. Take a look at this post I came across on a Facebook group:
I was heartbroken for this mother to be feeling such despair, isolation, guilt, and lack of support. I hurt for the baby who felt unwanted and like a burden. They will never get back these days of connection and bonding. This is not okay.
What Mamas in America Face
The ACOG committee notes, the postpartum period is “devoid of formal or informal maternal support.” This reflects a troubling tendency in the medical system — and throughout American society — to focus on the health and safety of the fetus or baby more than that of the mother. “The baby is the candy, the mom is the wrapper,” said Alison Stuebe, who teaches in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and heads the task force that drafted the guidelines. “And once the candy is out of the wrapper, the wrapper is cast aside.”
This is the sad reality for birthing mamas in America. Living in a society driven by profit, the health of mama and baby are secondary. The goal seems to have each of them alive as opposed to that being the bare minimum. Employers demand workers to return to work and there is no mandatory paid leave.
What Mamas in Other Countries Have
There are countless indigenous practices in communities around the world to support mama in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. We have none of those here, such as six weeks of pelvic floor therapy as they do in France or belly binding as they do in the Malay cultures or having a nurse visit your home for a year as they do in Canada.
Singapore has some of the lowest postpartum depression and anxiety in the world. Why? Imagine, after birth, someone comes to your home almost daily for a month to massage you, bathe you in healing herbs, offer recovery foods and drinks (not frozen or take out), bind your belly to help recovery, etc. You are cared for as much as the baby because they wisely understand if we care for the mother, she can provide better care for her family. Simple.
America’s Response to the Crisis
The industry’s response to the maternal health crisis in America has resulted in, what we do best, a postpartum pill. Let me say first, medication is necessary for severe cases and when someone may be predisposed to mental health challenges. For extreme cases determined by the patient, family, and provider, medication would be helpful to save lives.
However, for the majority of birthing mothers, PPA and PPD can be avoided in a natural, holistic ways. I know because other cultures have been doing this for generations. A pill does not get to the root cause of mom’s struggle, which is a lack of support and resources. So, instead of offering supportive services, ensuring paid maternity leave, providing wrap around support, educating women and families, we offer her a pill, a band aid. This is something that would be offered SIX weeks after birth when she will see a provider for the first time. That first six weeks postpartum is everything and so much occurs during that time. The pill comes with side effects, black box warnings, and other risks, as most medications do. On the other hand, there are highly effective natural interventions like acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Ayurveda, massage, and reiki. We’ve been birthing babies for millennia so the impact on mom’s mental health is not new, which is why ancient cultures have remedies for it.
Therapy is another great option and many therapists specialize in postpartum like Karim Counseling. There are specialists who help you work through birth trauma such as Mandala Motherhood.
A New Study on An Ancient Response
Incidentally, the second outcome I’ve seen regarding this crisis, offers hope. In this recent study, they found baby massage can alleviate postpartum depression and anxiety. Studies are showing that baby massage can help reduce or alleviate postpartum depression and anxiety. Absolutely! I have been sharing this with mamas as part of my work for years. A study done by the Touch Research Institute of Miami years ago found complementary outcomes. Grandparents, who massaged their grandbabies, released more oxytocin than those who received a massage. You see, as you are massaging baby, not only is baby releasing feel good hormones, so are you! I’ve had families thank me for giving them the opportunity to simply be and connect with their baby without the household and work responsibilities. It’s 30 minutes of uninterrupted bonding time that improves the health outcomes of mother, baby, and the whole family with 0 harm. Here’s more on the topic:
For more information on both responses:
Mothers who engage in baby massage report lower symptoms of postnatal depression (techexplorist.com)
Check out the podcast episode on the pill by Postpartum University.
If you’re suffering from postpartum depression or anxiety, please don’t hesitate to get help. I’ve included information below for Postpartum Support USA and send us an email if you want to learn how to use massage to respond to maternal health concerns.
PSI HelpLine:
1-800-944-4773
#1 En Español or #2 English
Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN)
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
Other Research:
In the mystery of postpartum depression, the immune system offers clues (msn.com)
