Baby on the way or already born? Support is all around

Mom and baby boy

Have you heard of the "baby blues?" Feeling sad or anxious before or after having a baby is common; 1 in 5 people in New Hampshire have depression during or after pregnancy. 超过一半的与怀孕有关的死亡与自杀或药物过量有关. 但是我们都可以通过一些方法来改变——包括注意到抑郁的迹象, 帮助照顾孩子,分享十大网赌平台推荐健康中心的资源, 在社区和国家组织中.

“当我和病人见面时,我总是在评估他们的心理健康风险," says Beatrice Ngugi, MSW, PMH-C, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dartmouth Health. “我试图使这种情况正常化,这样病人就不会感到羞耻. 我也鼓励她们与家人和朋友一起制定一个怀孕后的计划,以便在孩子出生后得到支持," she adds, 在WCAX-TV第三频道的新闻报道中强调了同样的观点.

婴儿忧郁症状轻微,通常发生在婴儿出生后的前两周. 但围产期情绪或焦虑障碍可能发生在怀孕期间——以及婴儿出生后的第一年. These symptoms are more serious.

你或你关心的人应该注意的一些迹象包括:

  • Having a hard time getting out of bed.
  • 不再享受过去能带来快乐的活动.
  • Emotional changes.
  • Behavioral changes.
  • Inability to sleep or sleeping too much.
  • 想着死了会过得更好或者你的家人没有你会过得更好.

Why this happens

“怀孕本身并不特别会引起焦虑或抑郁,但怀孕前已经经历过焦虑或抑郁的人风险更高, 特别是如果他们在没有告知医生的情况下就停止服用精神药物," explains Julia Frew, MD, assistant professor of Psychiatry, OB/GYN and Medical Education; vice chair of Education, Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine/Dartmouth Health. "It's best to call your obstetrician (OB), 护士助产士或初级保健提供者(PCP)讨论是否可能是最好的继续或逐渐减少药物根据你的个人病史."
弗鲁说,生孩子带来的某些变化也会增加围产期情绪和焦虑障碍的风险. 它们可能发生在分娩后的前4周,也可能发生在分娩后的12个月, and include:

  • Hormonal changes.
  • 生活方式的改变,包括在习惯工作的情况下在家休产假.
  • 试图自己做家里的所有事情,包括照顾其他孩子.
  • Extreme lack of sleep.

家人和朋友可以帮助制定一个计划,包括:

  • 确保妈妈有4小时不受打扰的睡眠.
  • Taking care of diapering at feeding time.
  • Being a call away in the middle of the night.
  • Setting limits for visits.
  • 做饭和送餐(尤其是产后的前两周).
  • Encouraging self-care.
  • 提供资源,包括当地的育儿小组.
  • Knowing the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.
  • Sharing the Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).

There is help

The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance 说75%的人在分娩后没有得到他们需要的心理健康护理. 但是,如果你发现自己或他人有婴儿忧郁的迹象,有很多资源可以帮助你.
Along with the following options, 弗鲁鼓励新晋父母向产科医生求助, nurse midwife or PCP. "If symptoms develop, 对孕妇和哺乳期妇女有安全有效的治疗方法," she says.

Dartmouth Health

  • We're here to help! 周一至周五,上午8点至下午5点,请致电咨询提供者 603-653-9300. After hours, call 603-650-5000 and ask for the OB provider on call; or go to the closest Emergency Room.
  • Women's Health Resource Center, The 4th Trimester: New Mother Support Group, Thursdays, 11 am. 结交朋友,分享并回答有关护理和其他婴儿护理问题的问题. Partners are welcome.
  • Women's Health Resource Center, Virtual 4th Trimester Group, Wednesdays, 10 am. Pre-register at 603-650-2600.

Local parenting resources

Local pregnancy loss support

National/international resources

For more information, visit our 妇产科:产科、妇科和护士助产学 website.