A chose to research more about the statistics of post-partum depression and how it affects mothers worldwide because I have a personal connection with this condition. I suffered from pre-partum psychosis and post partum depression, which became a very hard time in my life and I was not even aware of it. I wanted to research: Are there others who experienced similar stories? Is this a western illness or it is global? What are the similarities and differences? How can I help other children and mothers who are going through similar illnesses?
A Personal Note:
I was pregnant with my third son. I was living with my family in Hawaii with no family and a husband who was on his third deployment overseas to Iraq. I was a high-risk pregnancy because of a blood clotting disorder and an unknown reason was causing me to faint constantly. I was only able to stand for short moments and could only walk a few steps without passing out. The doctors believe that I could have been having issues with blood flow throughout my body. Regardless, this caused me to be placed on bed rest for the remaining 5 months of my pregnancy. (Again, 2 young boys and no family or husband around). Needless to say, I was stressed, anxious, and becoming more and more depressed. I began to hallucinating and having dreams of my baby being born and kidnapped. I even called the police one time because I couldn’t find my baby (I was still pregnant)! I was seeing bugs crawl on the walls and I just knew that I was going crazy! The doctors told me I was depressed and that just upset me all the more! It wasn’t until I have recovered that I have actually realized what I was going through. I was on temporary antidepressants, and thankfully, because of my wonderful family, I received some much needed help and support! I am lucky but am not alone. Women around the world are going through similar stories as myself but do not know what they are going through and it effects their mental ability to properly care for their new babies. This is a serious mental health issue around the world and it needs the attention and support from our communities to help our families cope with the traumatic physical and mental changes that come with birthing a child.
Postpartum Depression: A little Bit of Information
“Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as the development of mood disturbance two weeks to one year after delivery, with symptoms most often found during the third through ninth postpartum months” (Amankwaa, 2003). The initial time after giving birth is a vital time for developing a special attachment between infant and caregivers and can be affected by postpartum depression. Our society focuses so much effort in creating healthy pregnancies, but we forget about the mother’s mental health after the birth! “Is ours not a strange culture that focuses so much attention on child birth, virtually all of it based on anxiety and fear and so little on the crucial time after birth, when patterns are established that will affect the individual and the family for decades?” (Tackett, 2005). All women around the world experience postpartum depression. The World Health Organization (WHO) has moved depression up to the “third most disabling condition worldwide”! (Tackett, 2009). They also state, “Women are more likely to have their first psychiatric admission in the first year postpartum than at any other time in their lives!”
How do other Countries Handle Postpartum Depression?
The US and other middle to high-income countries have a much greater rate of women who experience postpartum depression (being rank 3rd most disabling condition) than low-income countries (ranked 8th). Some of the low-income countries include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Congo, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Sudan, and Vietnam (Tackett, 2005). Why is the rate higher in the higher income countries? Studies show that in the low-income countries with low postpartum depression rates, they all had specific rituals that provided support and care for new mothers. These cultures, although quite different from each other, all shared five protective social structures. These are described below (Tackett, 2005):
· A Distinct Postpartum Period- Women are taken care of by other female relatives and activities are limited and they are mentored by more experienced mothers.
· Protective Measures Reflecting the New Mother’s Vulnerability- New mothers are recognized as being especially vulnerable. Ritual bathing, washing of hair, massage, binding of the abdomen are common in Guatemala, Yucatan, and Latina women in both the US and Mexico.
· Social Seclusion and Mandated Rest-In the Punjab, women and their babies are secluded from everyone but female relatives and their midwives for five days. Seclusion is said to promote breastfeeding and it limits a woman’s normal activities.
· Functional Assistance-Women are provided with someone to care for older children and perform their household duties.
· Social Recognition of her New Role and Status-Great personal attention is given to the mother. In China and Nepal, very little attention goes to the pregnancy; much more attention is focused on the mother after the baby is born or “mothering the mother”. In Punjabi, there is the “stepping-out ceremony,” which includes ritual bathing and hair washing performed by the midwife, and a ceremonial meal prepared by a Brahmin. When the mother returns to her husband’s family, she returns with gifts. In Uganda, women stay secluded for the first 3 months. After that, the woman’s head is shaved and crowned with a bead tiara, she is robed in an ancient skin garment worked with beads, a staff such as the elders carry is put in her hand, and she emerges from her hut for her first public appearance with her baby. Proceeding slowly towards the market, they are greeted with songs such as are sung to warriors returning from battle. She and her baby have survived the weeks of danger.
How does this compare to the US?
These five protective structures differ drastically to that of the United States! Many times, we focus on the pregnancy; making sure mom is resting, not lifting too much, doing too much, eating right, and taking care of her. After the baby, where did mom go? I don’t know, but look at this adorable baby!!! It no longer is a focus on mom but now completely on baby. Parents lack sleep, older children are not receiving as much attention, breastfeed or bottle-feed, and many mom return back to work soon after. This all adds stress, lack of sleep, and a great deal of trauma to a woman’s mental and physical condition.
Conclusion: What can I Do?
I felt that it was important for me to choose a topic that I felt passionate about. I feel very connected to this subject and I would love to help other mothers out there going through similar conditions. As an educator, I think families, teachers, administrators, and policy makers need to be aware of these conditions and how we can help women through it. Women need to feel okay. There is a saying that we use in our house that I believe is very true: “If Mama isn’t happy then no one is happy!”
References:
Amankwaa, L. (Spring 2003). Postpartum depression, culture and African-American women. Journal of Cultural Diversity. Retrieved January 15, 2011 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MJU/is_1_10/ai_102025140/.
Tackett, K. (2005). How Other Cultures Prevent Postpartum Depression: Social Structures that Protect Mother’s Mental Health. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/cultures.html.
Tackett, K. (2009). Is Depression Real Or Just a Western Phenomenon? Retried January 14, 2011 from http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/cultures.html.
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