It's estimated that over 900 women in NB suffer from postpartum depression. The true number is unknown because it is not mandatory, or regular procedure to evaluate women, or to hand out literature describing the symptoms of the condition either immediately, or weeks after the birth of a child.
The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown but is believed to be triggered by biological changes and hormone fluctuations and imbalances following childbirth. Also, when the mother's expectations of childbirth and beyond do not live up, the resultant stress can trigger depression that goes far beyond feeling down. Most women (up to 80%) experience some sort of the "baby blues" which usually subsides within 10 days after giving birth. When women experience ongoing depression lasting much longer (sometimes up to 1 year), this is known as postpartum depression. With symptoms including anxiety, exhaustion, confusion, guilt, feelings of failure, and fear of harming one's self or one's child, it's not surprising that many women feel embarrassed and say nothing, and don't seek help.
The Canadian Mental Health Association admits that because the condition is poorly defined and understudied, it is therefor under reported.
When questioned on the topic of evaluation, one nurse at the DECH said that when women come forward to comment on feeling blue, or are known to have a past with postpartum depression, they then go through an evaluation, followed by treatment, but most women never admit to, or seek help for this problem for fear of being judged, or singled out.
This form of denial is very common in women suffering from postpartum depression, because they feel ashamed, or feel that this is private information that if brought out in the open will be looked down on, or result in their children being taken away. Many of the moms I asked said that they are unaware of what treatment is available for those who do ask for it.
Many Fredericton women say they would have rather filled out a quiz on paper than be asked questions by their doctors. Candace admits she would have felt much more comfortable and open for admitting and discussing the issue had she been in a group of other moms, with doctors and nurses she did not know, rather than her habitual physician.
UNB Fredericton is now offering a program for sufferers of postpartum depression who seek help. The program matches new moms, with existing moms who have experienced the condition in the past.
One volunteer mentor Anne Elgee who battled postpartum depression 16 years ago, told CBC that following the birth of her daughter she wishes she had had someone to talk to when she was a new mother going through this awful time.
Elgee, like many other moms, says she kept her postpartum depression a secret because she too felt no one would understand.
It's suspected that that's why only 5 women have signed up for the help being offered at UNB. It could also be that many new moms and their partners are not educated enough on the topic, and don't properly recognize the symptoms simply passing it off as over exhaustion.
NB Health needs to ensure that mothers are given proper information on symptoms, treatment available, and who they can talk to should they be experiencing this form of depression. A new assessment system also needs to put in place that will either encourage women to answer questions honestly, or unknowingly give honest indicating information. If possible, spouses, or other immediate family should also be questioned. Otherwise women will keep suffering in silence, and new programs put in place will continue to be yet another resource unused.
11 comments:
well i had PPD after i had annabelle mainly just from stress and going through too many life changes when i was pregnant. i found the doctor had asked questions regarding everything and the RN who took care of annabelle and I was great at helping me deal with things and get the proper help plus offering very good suggestions i do think the research program they are doing at unb will be a very positive thing if it does end up taking off.
It's already on the go, but only 5 women have signed up, judging by the high amounts of people who actually suffer from the condition, it seems like not enough women are getting treatment, or admitting to having issues at all.
well when i spoke with the coordinator of the program when it first started she said they are on a 2 year trial first to see how it does then they will know if they get to keep it going. thats what i meant by it 'taking off' i think it could potentially be a good program but basically all it is is a woman going into the other womans house for 'moral' support and helping out a bit if they need it. and if it was me i don't think that would have been something that would interest me at all. and really just because there are not women in this program doesn't mean they aren't seeking help im sure there must be stats on women on antidepressants and seeking counselling etc.
Ohhh k,
I think it could be a good program too, if more people knew about it, and more people were treated for PPD.
Stats show that the majority of women are suffering in silence, the reasons vary, from not knowing what is wrong with them, to just not wanting to admit to it, and more.
I called to volunteer to help out with this program, but my son is still too young, they require that your youngest child be at least 2 years old. But she told me that they have been doing these trials to try and get women to seek treatment for quite some time, sounds like they will find something that works for more women, but it may take awhile unfortunatly.
The sad part is that most women don't know where the line is between baby blues and postpartum. And it usually takes something bad happening in order for a new Mom to seek treatment. More women need to come forward that have experienced this so that other new Moms know that there is nothing wrong with having postpartum depression, its a natural process that some women's bodies go through after childbirth.
Tiffany
Well out here in calgary the health nurse came to my house and they called twice, six weeks and ten weeks. I got asked fifteen questions. I was very impressed becuase it was based on my answers but more so the tone of my voice.
It's important to not keep it to yourself if your depressed because you could end up hurting someone if you have a break down.
that is how the nurse who looked after me and checked in on me was very helpful asking lots of questions and making sure i was good.
I didn't get asked anything...
i agree that there needs to be more done to help moms who are not saying anything about it. i was too embarassed to say anything, i was having feelings of hurting my baby, you dont want to tell people that, i just didnt feel comfortable telling someone. and i wasnt told anything about it when i was in the hospital, they pass out all kinds of papers why you are in there, nothing on ppd.
kim
I had a baby that was allergic to milk and only slept 20 minutes at a time. They called me when I was home 3 weeks and I explained everything to them, and they didn't send someone out. Most people don't get a call at all from what I've heard.
Everyone who has had a baby at the Fredericton hospital should receive a phone call after their discharge from the Mother and Baby clinic and if they haven't, they should be making complaints. That's part of what the clinic is for aside from running the Mother and Baby hotline. A lot of other provinces have a Well Baby visit from a public health nurse whereas we don't. New moms need to know that someone is there if they need it, and with all the info you are bombarded with at the hospital it's hard to keep track of what is what.
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