May 6, 2020, is Maternal Mental Health Awareness day, and Michelle has dedicated this episode to providing an overview of what the postpartum experience can be like for new families. Often there is so much focus on the pregnancy and the birth, families may find themselves woefully unprepared for the realities that having a new baby can bring to their lives. Having a new baby can feel overwhelming and isolating for many families and the quarantine and social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbating stress families may feel. Michelle explains helpful self- care tips for moms and their partners. She distinguishes between baby blues and postpartum depression, gives an overview of maternal mood disorders, and provides resources for families here in the show notes. Michelle ends this information-packed episode with a brief guided relaxation.
Resources:
And Baby Makes 3: The Gottman Institute
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (http://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm)
(http://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm)Postpartum Support International (https://www.postpartum.net/)
The Blue Dot Project (https://www.thebluedotproject.org/)
The Conversation: Managing postpartum depression: New Moms isolated by coronavirus pandemic (https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/theconversation.com/amp/managing-postpartum-depression-new-moms-isolated-by-coronavirus-pandemic-134773?usqp=mq331AQFKAGwASA%3D&_js_v=0.1#aoh=15883925760041&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconversation.com%2Fmanaging-postpartum-depression-new-moms-isolated-by-coronavirus-pandemic-134773)
Motherly: Eight Ways to Reduce Anxiety for Mothers (https://www.mother.ly/child/ways-to-reduce-anxiety-for-moms)
Baby Care Resources:
Dunstan Baby Language
Happiest Baby on the Block
All Babies Cry
No Cry Solution
Resources in Central Florida:
Orlando Health Winnie Palmer: Mothers Matter Support Group (https://www.orlandohealth.com/news-and-events/events/mothers-matter)
Life Counseling Solutions (https://lifecounselingsolutions.com/2013/09/orlando-postpartum-depression-anxiety-help/)
Perinatal Wellness & Psychological Services (https://www.perinatalwellness.net/)
Total Life Counseling (https://www.totallifecounseling.com/services-therapy-orlando-florida-clermont-east-southwest-therapy-therapists-counselors/adult-services/maternal-mental-health-counseling-therapy-orlando/)
Florida Chapter of Postpartum Support International (https://psichapters.com/fl/)
