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A Serious Pregnancy and Postpartum Condition, Far More Common than Most Realize...

6/29/2015

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This month Powerful Mamas would like to draw attention to perinatal mood disorders, a serious range of mental health conditions that can strike the mother (or even father) during the childbearing year and/or any time in the year following the birth. According to the American Psychological Association, (APA), between 9 and 15 percent of women will experience postpartum depression (PPD), with some sources reporting this number to be as high as 20 percent of postpartum women.

Feelings of overwhelm, mood swings, weepiness, anxiety, and/or sadness are extremely common in the days immediately following childbirth as the mother's body adjusts from a pregnant to a non-pregnant state. These feelings are often called the "baby blues" and will generally pass within the first 2-3 weeks after birth. Up to 80 percent of women will likely experience these feelings. Most women report open communication with a friend or family member as the most effective form of assistance as they transition into their new role and their bodies adjust. 

The onset of postpartum depression, (PPD), and/or postpartum anxiety is a much more serious condition that may require behavioral therapy and even medications in order to feel like oneself again. Powerful Mamas wants to spread the word that women CAN feel better - there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel!  However, we must work as a community to bring light to this common condition so that sufferers and their families feel comfortable seeking and finding the help they deserve.  Perinatal mood disorders are treatable, but help begins with a conversation.  If you are suffering from PPD or postpartum anxiety and you aren't getting the help you need, keep asking until you find it.  You, your family, and your baby deserve to feel better!

Jill Thomas, a licensed mental health therapist with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Des Moines, Iowa, works with those struggling with PPD and anxiety during and after pregnancy. 

Common warning signs include:

* Struggles with eating and sleeping
* Not feeling like oneself
* Scary, persistent thoughts, (such as dropping the baby, or the baby is not breathing)
* Disruptions in eating or sleeping patterns
* Disinterest in activities one used to enjoy
* Lack of motivation for basic hygiene, dressing, etc.
* Feeling numb, empty or slow
* Obsessive compulsive feelings or tendencies
* Trouble bonding with the baby

Risk factors do not mean a woman will develop a perinatal mood disorder, but can help one prepare if they think they might be at risk. Such factors include: a struggle with depression or anxiety prior to becoming pregnant, a family history of mood disorders, a traumatic birth experience, a high-needs baby, perfectionist tendencies, or even abrupt weaning of the baby.

For those who may be struggling with a perinatal mood disorder, the most important thing you can do to help yourself is tell someone!  Thomas says many women tend to carry the shame of PPD/anxiety with them, but that these feelings, (in part caused by the way hormones and the brain are functioning postpartum), are NOT YOUR FAULT, and may be out of your control. 

Watch our full interview with Jill Thomas here to learn more, including helpful resources available both locally and nationally. We ask that you share this post, so we can help spread the word that there is hope for those struggling with these treatable but serious conditions.

With love and light,

Jacquelyn
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Crying Out for a Childbirth Revolution!

6/2/2015

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A woman does not forfeit her autonomy when she has her first contraction. Her body is still her own.

While a lot has changed in the maternity world since the days of "twilight sleep", too much has stayed the same. Ladies, let's continue to advocate for our voices to be heard.

On Saturday, May 30, Rekha Basu published this article in the Des Moines Register. Titled “Recalling Lamaze: We need another childbirth revolution”, the article points out the fear-based culture of obstetrics in the United States, as well as the need all women have during pregnancy to be heard and be a part of the decision-making process, as it relates to their pregnancies and their bodies.

In response to her article, Jacquelyn reached out with the following letter:

Hello Rekha,
First, THANK YOU for taking an interest in the birth experiences of women in our community. You are right - It IS time for another childbirth revolution! All too often the voices of the vulnerable are not heard. What can be more vulnerable than being in the middle of childbirth and feeling helpless? As a private childbirth educator and labor doula with Powerful Mamas, I have had the privilege of witnessing many beautiful moments as a couple makes the transition to becoming a family; often with incredible nurses and medical providers assisting along the way. We truly do have some of the most caring healthcare professionals in the country! Unfortunately I have also witnessed far too many violations, ranging from basic disrespect to what would be classified as physical assault in just about any situation other than childbirth.

I think it's fair to say that everyone involved in our maternity care system, whether they be doulas, midwives, nurses or OBGYNs, desperately want a safe outcome for both the mother and baby. But there is more to a safe birth than a healthy baby!! How the baby makes its arrival can drastically affect both the mother and the baby, both physically and emotionally. For example, if the mother experiences traumatic events or feelings of violation during her birth, those feelings can have lasting effects on not just her but also on her relationship with her child. Studies show that women with traumatic birth experiences have higher rates of postpartum depression and anxiety, lower rates of breastfeeding (which can directly affect the health of the baby) and more trouble feeling connected with their child.

The definition of respect for most does not include being physically leashed to monitors while being told to undress, lay down and open their legs for a vaginal exam, (which happens to be completely subjective in nature, not evidence based care, and could lead to infection). Most healthy, low risk women do not need to be told when and where they may relieve themselves, what they can put in their mouths, nor in what position they should push their babies into this world. Again, many of these hospital policies do NOT follow evidence based care.

In my experience, the primary issue seems to be that interventions and procedures designed for high-risk pregnancies are being applied to the 90% of women that are not high risk. All too often women are not being treated as individuals, but rather a number on an assembly line. That would be fine if there were no negative side effects associated with these interventions, but evidence shows that is not the case. Interventions and procedures applied to women who DO NOT NEED THEM can lead to very dangerous outcomes for both mom and baby. These procedures are NOT risk free - and these statements are based on statistics, not opinions.

We cannot ignore that there is also a human rights issue at stake here. A woman does not forfeit her autonomy when she has her first contraction. Her body is still her own. She deserves to have her questions answered, her voice heard, and to be respected during this momentous and potentially challenging occasion.

When I was working on Capitol Hill as a young legislative correspondent I never could have imagined that I would eventually own a business focused on educating families on informed childbirth. Yet I've found that those needing justice, advocacy and empowerment are right here in Iowa, perhaps in the most unlikely of locations - sitting in our maternity wards.

Thank you for calling attention to this important issue!

Jacquelyn Duke, M.Ed., CCCE, CLD, CIES(FCEC)
President Intrinsic Birthing LLC, dba Powerful Mamas; CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator, Labor Doula, & Labor Doula Faculty


I am so excited to see this topic covered in our local media and will do my best to keep you all informed when I see similar features. We do need a childbirth revolution and articles like this are stepping stones to making that happen!

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    At Powerful Mamas, we believe every mama has incredible, undeniable strength... And with the right support, education and a few innovative products, Mamas can have an incredible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience!

    Check back frequently for tips and ideas from Powerful Mamas all around the world, and be sure to connect with us via social media - our community is AMAZING!!! 

    Also, feel free to connect with Jacquelyn directly at [email protected]!

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