The support of a postpartum doula can be especially helpful to mothers who • have a history of depression or postpartum depression. • don’t have close friends and family nearby to rely on. • are expecting multiples. • have other little ones demanding their attention. “I am convinced that Teresa saved my life. As most moms have felt at one time or another, I was often wondering and questioning if what I was doing
“With postpartum depression a risk, it’s so important for women not to be isolated.” —Teresa Marshall
was the right thing for my children— and with twins, the responsibility is so unbelievably overwhelming,” Engmann says. Mothering the mother. A mom who spends hours alone with her baby can easily spiral into emotional and physical exhaustion, which can put her at greater risk for postpartum anxiety or depression. During this challenging transition period—often called the fourth trimester, a postpartum doula can provide calm reassurance and support to a new mama and her family. “When moms feel supported at home and they are getting what they need, the rates of postpartum depression are reduced,” says Kate Kripke, LCSW, an expert in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and contributing writer for postpartumprogress.com. www.mendolakefamilylife.com
“There is a lot to be said about the role the postpartum doula plays in simply mothering the mother after she gives birth that can be incredibly preventative for lots of women.” In addition to helping care for the baby, postpartum doulas often help with light housework, errands, cooking, and caring for siblings. Many are also trained to recognize the signs of postpartum depression and provide resources to the moms they support. “When doulas are educated in what to look for, they’re…the first people to pick up on and identify when something is going on with the mom,” Kripke says. What is postpartum depression? According to Postpartum Support International, one in eight women suffers from postpartum depression. Symptoms include insomnia, severe mood swings, a lack of joy, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue, withdrawal from family and friends, and thoughts
of suicide. (Additional symptoms can be found at mayoclinic.org.) Postpartum depression can also interfere with healthy bonding between a mom and her newborn. “When a baby is on the inside, a woman takes amazing care of herself. And then the baby is born, it becomes all about the baby. As soon as that mom starts to struggle and suffer, she will no longer have what is going to be required to care for her baby the way she wants to. Not because she isn’t a good mom or doesn’t love her child, but simply because she’s human,” Kripke says. “I find that the women who are enjoying motherhood the most and who feel the healthiest...are the ones who are receiving help.” For more information about postpartum doulas and to find one in your area, visit dona.org. ¶ Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines and her husband are the parents of two boys. She is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life (2013).
Give New Mamas a Hand Having a sense of community is vital to a new mom’s health and well-being. Here are ways you can help during those first few weeks. (Make sure to always text or call ahead first.) • Coordinate an online care network. Friends and family can sign up to deliver meals, take care of siblings, clean house, or rock the baby. (Check out mealtrain.com.) • Offer to rock the baby for a couple of hours to give mom a chance to take a shower or a nap. • Deliver coffee and muffins. • Drop off a fully prepared meal. • Babysit any older children for an afternoon. • Offer to walk her dog, clean her house, or run an errand. • Give her a gift card to her favorite take-out restaurant.
March 2017
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