The COVID-19 pandemic has
brought about various changes
in the ways people navigate
their communities and social
networks. Social distancing and
sheltering in place have left
many individuals feeling anxious,
depressed, or hopeless as their
usual support systems have
been compromised for the sake
of physical health and safety.
Mothers and pregnant people
are no exception to this stress
and uncertainty, as the
pandemic has seen a sharp
increase in cases of postpartum
depression (PPD).
According to a study released by JAMA Psychiatry, 1
in 7 women experience PPD within a year after giving
birth. Additionally, more than two-thirds of the
women surveyed showed signs of an anxiety
disorder, emphasizing the need for healthcare
providers to screen mothers for more symptoms
than just depression. Furthermore, 20% of
postpartum women have thoughts of harming
themselves and the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) found that 1 out of 19 deaths in pregnant or
postpartum women were the result of suicide,
underscoring the need for thorough PPD screenings.
The Mayo Clinic lists several signs and symptoms of
PPD that include, but aren't limited to, severe mood
swings, excessive crying, difficulty bonding with the
baby, changes in appetite, and intrusive thoughts of
self-harm or harm to the baby. While there are no
known causes of PPD, there are several risk factors.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, women with a
history of anxiety, depression, or other serious mood
disorders are 30% to 35% more likely to develop
PPD during pregnancy or after delivery. Additionally,
women who experienced PPD during a previous birth
are more likely to experience it again. Finally, those
of lower socioeconomic status are more at risk of
developing the disorder than women who are in the
upper class, according to the NIH, and Black and
Native American women are at highest risk of
developing PPD.
The majority of data and statistics concerning PPD
were gathered in the context of a world without
coronavirus. However, there is new evidence
suggesting that the stress of a global pandemic is
not only exacerbating existing disorders but
triggering the onset of depression, anxiety, and
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in mothers who
previously showed no symptoms of mental illness.
Considering the threat of unknown health risks to
pregnant mothers, coupled with fear of giving birth
in hospitals that treat COVID-19 patients and raising
a newborn with no help due to social distancing, the
tension surrounding the birth of a child is
compounded. A report from the Brigham and
Women's Hospital found that the number of mothers
with PPD doubled after the onset of the pandemic.
Additionally, 1 in 5 women reported higher instances
of generalized anxiety and 10% experienced post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Nearly half a million
people in the United States have
died of complications stemming from a COVID-19
infection. Coupled with health concerns, many new
mothers throughout the past year have had to cope
with grieving loved ones on top of the demands of
caring for infants and young children. Financial stress
is another trigger. As some working mothers struggle
to find childcare amidst lockdowns and social
distancing, mothers who work from home struggle
with simultaneously working and tending to their
children. Additionally, some mothers, along with
millions of Americans, face unemployment due to the
pandemic. Extreme fatigue, irritability, and
interruptions in executive functions, such as cooking,
cleaning, and maintaining personal hygiene, burden
mothers suffering from PPD and are exacerbated by
lack of social support and interaction initiated by
coronavirus restrictions.
If PPD in a new mother is suspected, it's important
that they reach out to their physician, nurse, or
midwife. While it's not unusual to feel sad after the
birth of a child (often referred to as the baby blues),
long-lasting feelings of depression, hopelessness,
erratic mood swings, or thoughts of self-harm or
suicide aren't normal. Typically, symptoms lasting
longer than two weeks are a clear indication that
medical intervention is required. Treatments include
therapy, medication, or a combination of both. If
necessary, a spouse or loved one might step in to
make the call and set up necessary appointments.
Outside of the physician's office, other resources
exist to assist mothers suffering from PPD. Peanut,
MindMum, and Lifeline4Moms are online platforms
designed to support struggling mothers and offer
assistance via phone call or text. One might also ask
their doctor about postpartum support groups in
their area. Additionally, the British Columbia
Reproductive Mental Health Program and Moodgym
offer cognitive behavioral therapy programs online
for free. Websites like Psychology Today also make it
possible to find local therapists that are covered by
insurance, and the SAMHSA National Helpline refers
uninsured and underinsured patients to affordable
assistance in their area. If you or a loved one are in
a crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1.800.273.TALK (8255).
If PPD is left untreated, not only is the mother at
higher risk of committing suicide, the child might
face behavioral, cognitive, and physical barriers
throughout their life as a result. While living through
a global pandemic is alienating, no one is truly alone.
It's important for mothers to understand that asking
for help is not a sign of weakness and it doesn't
mean that they are a bad mother. Reaching out for a
helping hand is critical in such an unprecedented
time, and is just another way that mothers take care
of themselves and their babies.
PAGE 13 Special Spring Issue 2021
