Postpartum Mental Health and COVID-19
When we think of becoming a new parent (or a parent again), we may envision time away from work on maternity or parental leave where we focus on this tiny human to give him or her the best possible start. We may anticipate this will include some sleep deprivation, around the clock feeding, loads of diaper changes, and even eager friends and family who cannot wait to welcome this little person. We may also be looking forward to participating in some parent-baby groups to break up the daily routine and add some socialization.
The choices almost seem endless with everything from playgroups to parent-baby yoga. Or, if you’re an introvert like me, you are very much looking forward to the quiet bonding moments at home, coffee dates or quiet lunches with friends or family, and just getting in a quick walk or shop between feedings. And then came the COVID-19 pandemic and life as we knew it was disrupted for the foreseeable future.
Whether your routine was established or still anticipatory, nothing could have prepared you for how altered this new parent experience had become. We all have our preferences, and whereas some new parents may have breathed a sigh of relief to not having to host waves of visitors, others faced the unnatural task of introducing the newest family member through their home window or at a distance 6 feet apart. Visits or family stays during this time are often opportunities for respite and relief for new parents, and these opportunities have been ripped away for many. Something like a routine baby medical check-up comes with a new layer of worry and precaution. Many may feel like they are trying to figure this parenting thing out in isolation.
New parenthood is tough enough, and then throw a worldwide pandemic in the mix and it can really take a toll on your mental health. Now, more than ever is a time to pay attention to your mental health and educate yourself about postpartum depression and anxiety so that you can spot the symptoms and seek the help that is required.
What are some facts and statistics regarding postpartum depression and anxiety (PPD/A)?
· Affects as many as 15-20% of mothers, not just first-time mothers
· Can be experienced within a few weeks, months, or even a year after the arrival of baby, miscarriage, or stillbirth
· Can affect partners as well as adoptive parents
· Is different from “baby blues” which typically go away within a couple of weeks after of birth
· Risks are increased if you have a personal or family history of depression and/or anxiety
What can symptoms look like?
Difficulty sleeping
Extreme fatigue
Anxious thoughts or images
Changes in appetite
Uncontrollable crying
Upset over trivial matters
Extreme mood Swings
Unable to enjoy baby
Panic Attacks
Thoughts of harming baby or self
Strong feelings of guilt, failure, worthlessness
Lack of interest in things usually enjoyed
Inability to cope
Forgetfulness
Muscle tension
Difficulty focusing
Overwhelming worry
Traumatic Flashbacks
Here is an interactive tool (PHQ-9) that can help you decide whether it’s time to seek help from your doctor: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tx4369#tx4371
What are some contributing factors?
Postpartum depression and anxiety can affect any parent, and risk is higher if you have a history of depression or anxiety, but there are other contributing factors as well:
Expectations of yourself, or partner’s expectations of you
Grieving a loss (job, loved one, etc.)
Feeling unsure about pregnancy or parenthood
Being a young parent
Baby with medical conditions
Sleep deprivation
Lack of support/isolation
Health problems
Housing/Income stressors
The pandemic has added financial burdens like job loss to many households. The lack of social gatherings and visitation with friends and family can make new parents feel isolated and many experience reduced opportunities for respite or support due to fear of contracting or spreading the virus. Coincidentally, many new parents who are feeling worried about contracting COVID-19 may be feeling pressure from family and friends to socialize and this can result in feelings of guilt and frustration.
How can I get help?
Get help as soon as possible—I cannot stress this enough. The sooner you take the first step with getting help, the sooner you will get back to feeling more like your usual self and being a better parent and partner. If you experience symptoms most days to nearly every day for two weeks or longer, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can provide medical attention, share resources, as well as provide information on community supports (many of which have gone virtual at this time). The journey to recovery will include many of the following:
· Medication can be necessary for recovery. Your doctor will provide you with medication options that are low risk to the baby if you are breastfeeding.
· Counselling can provide immense support by giving opportunities to address birth trauma, discuss struggles in an empathic judgment-free space, help with managing symptoms, as well as supporting self-care.
· Educating yourself can help with understanding the condition and its effects on your life. Helpful literature can be found in the resources listed at the end of this article.
· Self-care is essential to the recovery process. This includes eating nutritious food, exercise, rest, seeking support, and also finding time for yourself. The BC Women’s Hospital Reproductive Mental Health Program has a feed self-help tool for download listed in resources below.
The journey of parenthood does not come with a manual, and when we are experiencing anxious thoughts and depressive symptoms, many of us find ourselves suffering in isolation. COVID-19 has provided circumstances that further complicate this journey. What we know is that trauma and mental illness do not heal with time alone, and they can affect your relationship with your partner, relationship with your child, and even your experience with a future pregnancy. Recovery may take time, but with the right combination of tools and supports, you will get better. From one parent to another, as cliché, as it may sound, please know that you are not alone in this. You deserve support. It truly takes a village.
References & Resources:
"Self-Care Program for Women with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety" by The BC Women’s Hospital Reproductive Mental Health Program. http://www.cw.bc.ca/library/pdf/BCRH_selfcare_BW_05_v4.pdf
Healthy Families BC: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca
Healthlink BC: www.healthlink.bc.ca, 8-1-1 (translation services available in 130 different languages)
Canadian Mental Health Association: www.cmha.bc.ca
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services: http://www.bcmhsus.ca
Pacific Postpartum Support Society: www.postpartum.org, 604-255-7999
Inder Kauldher, MC, RCC has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and families. Counselling new mothers and parents in areas of PPD/A became a passion of hers through her own journey. Having experienced, first-hand, the mental health challenges pregnancy and parenthood can bring, she finds pieces of her own experiences in the birth stories and journeys of parenthood she hears from her clients. She also specializes in areas of depression, anxiety, life transitions, burnout, and cross-cultural issues.
For communication with the author, please direct your correspondence here: inder.kauldher@gmail.com