NPR: Lawmakers Weigh Mandatory Depression Screening For New Moms

Should screening for postpartum depression be mandatory? Listen to the NPR discussion about the proposed bill in Massachusetts, and let us know your thoughts...

(see the second post down and click on "listen"):

http://www.hereandnow.org/2010/03/rundown-311-2/#2

NPR also links to Postpartum Support International's list of signs of PPD: http://postpartum.net.gravitatehosting.com/Get-the-Facts.aspx

Postpartum Derpression Podcast on Omamas

Angie Fitzpatrick, of Baby Blues Connection, recently did a podcast with Omamas about postpartum depression and what to do for relief. Check it out.

If you have postpartum depression, anxiety, or other perinatal mood disorder, you are not alone. There is help. You can get better. Click on the picture above to find out more about postpartum depression and where to find help.

Mama Mantras

At a four-year-old's birthday party, I managed to have a very helpful conversation with my friend and colleague, Rebecca York, about the challenges we both worked through during the early postpartum days. As we talked about the difficulties of bonding with a baby when one is struggling to stay afloat, Rebecca mentioned an affirmation that was helpful for her during that time. She said she posted it on sticky notes all over the house, had it written on index cards, and would say it gently to herself as she held her baby.

Rebecca's mama mantra was:

My child/family and I are connected with love.

Rebecca is a social worker with a private practice offering counseling to women. Her specialty is pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and life transitions. Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your mantra.

My child/family and I are connected with love.

Postpartum Depression article on WebMD

Wendy Davis of Baby Blues Connection (BBC) and Postpartum Support International (PSI) passed this on this article, Postpartum Depression: More Common than You Know, found on WebMD. I particularly like this quote from the president of PSI, Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, CLC, also the coordinator of the Perinatal Mood Disorders Program at Clarian Health in Indianapolis:

Even highly intelligent women don't recognize what they have, and when they do try to reach out, people just say, 'Yeah, that's motherhood. It's tough.'

I might add that sometimes even therapists and counselors, who are trained to recognize the signs of depression, do not recognize that they have a perinatal mood disorder. Hopefully with public education, more women and families will recognize the signs of it and get help. In addition to lack of information, there is quite a bit of fear and shame associated with postpartum mood disorders. Hopefully, that will change too.

Please pass on this article and get help if you or someone you know may have a perinatal mood disorder. It can be treated, the effects can be minimized, you will get better, there is hope.


Where to find help:
Baby Blues Connection

Postpartum Support International

Wade Bowen's song benefiting Postpartum Support International

Wendy Davis, of Baby Blues Connection and Postpartum Support International, posted this video: Wade Bowen's song benefiting Postpartum Support International. If you are a partner of a woman with a postpartum mood disorder, visit the Baby Blues Connection's Tips for Partners, PSI's Family & Partners support resource list, and the Postpartum Dads Project. You and your partner are not alone; there is support available.

Let's Talk Placentas

Placentas are the heart of connection between a baby and mother during pregnancy, literally anchoring the baby to the mother's uterine wall. In an intricate dance, the placenta gathers blood from the mother, pulls oxygen and nutrients, transfers them to the baby's blood system via the cord, and then sends the waste from the baby's blood back out to be excreted by the mother's body. This whole waltz happens without the mother and baby's blood ever combining. The placenta also produces hormones that are essential for many changes in the mother's body during pregnancy as well as the fetus's growth. It is a pretty powerful and important organ and not just during pregnancy.

After a baby is born, there are several ways that the placenta can be honored and utilized:

• In numerous cultures families plant the placenta under a tree. Some cultures burn or smoke the placenta first and plant the ashes, but other cultures plant the placenta directly in the ground. The tree's growth is a beautiful reminder and symbol of the child's growth.
• Some women encapsulate (or otherwise prepare) the placenta for ingesting. It has been said that placentophagy helps a new mother's body recover more quickly and lessens the chances of baby blues following a birth. For more information visit Placenta Benefits.info For a recipe visit Placenta Remedy
• A beautiful keepsake can be made by doing a placenta print. The placenta makes a tree-like shape when printed, and the print can be framed. The prints can be made before encapsulating or burying if you choose to do either (you would not want to use paint or ink for the print if you are going to encapsulate or otherwise ingest the placenta). Visit this webpage for more information on how to do the print. These websites both have a beautiful picture of a placenta print: http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_690_profile_portfolio__11_1_G.htm & http://www.beautifulbellies.co.nz/Placenta%20Prints.

I am also including two links to videos below. The first one is a step-by-step how to make a placenta print. The second one is a video of "the Placenta Lady" encapsulating a woman's placenta for her as her husband films and makes not-so-pleasant comments. Despite the commentary, the video is informative if you are interested. Both videos show placentas and blood, so if you do not want to see either, you might want to skip the videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHc-zV77JLY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuxeAbeDcU0

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL: Free "Open Forum" Phone Sessions

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL


Free “OPEN FORUM” Sessions
On Mondays and Wednesdays Via 800 bridgeline


PSI Phone forums are available on
Mondays for Dads and on
Wednesdays for all callers.

Imagine the benefits of being able to talk with a PSI PPD expert about resources, symptoms, options and general information about perinatal mood disorders from the privacy of your own home. No need to arrange child care or transportation. No need to pre-register or give your name.


Sessions are informational only and open to anyone with questions and concerns about themselves, a loved one, friend or family member. Limited to the first 15 callers,
sessions are held every Wednesday.


Visit http://www.postpartum.net/ for call schedule and access codes, or call 1-800-944-4773 for further information.


Take the first step, or the next step. Call us and remember: You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with help, you WILL be well.

Postpartum Support International

P.O. Box 60931
Santa Barbara CA 93160
Phone: 805 967-7636
Email: psioffice@postpartum.net
Website: www.postpartum.net

HB2666 for Maternal Mental Health

Wendy Davis from Baby Blues Connection and Postpartum Support International has been keeping us up-to-date on House Bill 2666. I want to pass on the information for those who are interested.

HB2666 is scheduled for a public hearing at the House Human Services Committee in Salem on Monday March 16 at 8:30 am. The house committee will comment on this bill and then send it on with their recommendations. They have given us more time to testify than usual, because they are sointerested in this bill. Come to Salem for the hearing - let's show the committee just how many of us support this measure.

On Thursday, March 5, the Oregon House voted unanimously on HJR15, a resolution that recognizes March 2009 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Oregon. The sponsor of the bill, Representative Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukee) is a great champion for maternal mental health, and in her house remarks she announced the upcoming companion bill, House Bill 2666, which would create a statewide taskforce to study Maternal Mental Health needs and resources in Oregon.

DETAILS: HB 2666 creates a collaborative statewide work group on perinatal mental health disorders within the Department of Human Services that will study the needs, best practices, and funding resources for improved care in Oregon, and report its findings back to the legislature. The bill is written to reflect the importance of including all stakeholders and addressing vulnerable populations across the state. Many public and private partners have already begun working together in Oregon to collaborate on creating better prevention and care systems for childbearing families. This legislation would bring in full support and visibility that will strengthen our work.

Full Text of the Task Force Bill - HR 2666 http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/hb2600.dir/hb2666.intro.pdf

Wendy Davis, PhD

Oregon Perinatal Legislation Committee Chair

http://www.postpartum.net/

http://www.babybluesconnection.org/

Baby Blues Connection Aftercare Group

I volunteer for the Baby Blues Connection, a wonderful organization that provides mother-to-mother support for postpartum mood disorders.

Baby Blues Connection is excited about expanding their mom-to-mom services! They are bringing back their group that supports mothers as they face the challenges of motherhood after postpartum.

Our Aftercare Groups are right for you if you:

• have a child older than 12 months,
• would like continuing support after 'graduating' from new mom group,
• or if you're pregnant again after recovering from a postpartum mood disorder.

If you have questions about attending, especially about time and location, please call their phone line and let them know. These numbers are also the numbers to call if you need support.

Oregon: 503-797-2843
Washington: 360-735-5571

Baby Blues Connection Fall Workshop Series

Fall Workshop Series

Baby Blues Connection is excited to announce a new component to their
existing services!

A variety of topics will covered each quarter.

Please RSVP as a limited number of spaces are available for each event.
All of the workshops are facilitated by professionals.
http://www.babybluesconnection.org/events/workshops.html

Nutritional Support and Safe Herbal Remedies for
Mothers with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
This workshop will address the nutritional deficiencies and naturopathic treatments of postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety.
-Physiological causes of PPD and Anxiety
-Food allergies
-Nutrient deficiencies and supplementation
-Neurotransmitters
-Safe herbal Remedies during breastfeeding

October 30th, 10 a.m.– 12 p.m. at Sellwood Community Center: 1436 SE Spokane St.
$10

Presented by Dr. Adriana Azcarate-Ferbel N.D.
RSVP: 503-230-0458 or e-mail la_botanica_now@yahoo.com
Dr. Adriana Azcarate-Ferbel studied Naturopathic Medicine and graduated from the National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, Oregon in 2004. She is a survivor of Postpartum Depression and became interested in PPD treatments, focusing on the physiological changes mothers go through and how to address those changes in a non-invasive, natural way as a supplement to counseling

Balance
So much changes when we become mothers. Finding our balance in a whirlwind of changes and emotions, especially when we are faced with postpartum depression and/or anxiety, is a challenging process. Creatively explore areas in your life that need to be tended to, let go of, or set aside. Nurture yourself and find a center from which you can withstand the force of continual change. In this workshop, you and other new mothers who have experienced postpartum depression and/or anxiety will use creative expression to find areas in need of support and ways to feel calm in chaos. All materials will be provided

November 8, 2008-10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Nurture: 1614 NE Alberta St.
$10
With Mychelle Moritz, ATR-BC, LPC

http://www.nurturepdx.com/MychelleMoritz.html
To register, please contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or mychelle@nurturepdx.com

Picking Up the Pieces
The experience of postpartum depression and/or anxiety can leave us feeling shattered. As we heal, we begin to pick up the pieces and create a new whole. In this workshop, those have experienced postpartum depression and/or anxiety will explore and nurture your process of reconnecting the pieces as you create a sculpture. As you work with the materials, the sculpture emerges, becoming a meaningful symbol of survival and inner self and becomes a tangible reminder of your innermost strengths. You will begin the process of integration and acceptance of your new identity in a safe and supportive environment. All materials will be provided.

November 15, 2008-10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Nurture: 1614 NE Alberta St.
$10

With Mychelle Moritz, ATR-BC, LPC

http://www.nurturepdx.com/MychelleMoritz.html
To register, please contact Mychelle at 971-344-7527 or mychelle@nurturepdx.com
Mychelle has been a Baby Blues Connection volunteer since February 2008 providing phone support and generally helping out when she can. Recently, she has taken over the Workshop Coordinator duties. She is a co-founder of Nurture which offers a range of services to growing families. Mychelle is an art therapist and a licensed professional counselor with a special interest in helping mothers and families. She is the mama to two active young children and enjoys watching their creative antics.

Postpartum Body Image

In the winter 2008 issue of Brain, Child, in the Nutshell column, Elrena Evans shares information that she found on the recent glamorization of the pregnant body and the resulting negative impact this has had on postpartum body image. Evans reports that in American culture, the pregnant body is sexy while postpartum women want to show no trace of having been pregnant. She writes about asking Jessica Smartt Guillion, Ph.D., an epidemiologist, why, "...pregnant bodies are in but postpartum bodies are not." Smarrt Guillion's response is that the pregnant body is "fetishized by the media at the moment, without acknowledgement of the physical impact of childbearing on the body." This short article really got me to thinking...

So many changes occur in our bodies during pregnancy. This is also true postpartum. Changes continue for months and sometimes throughout the first year or more depending on breastfeeding, etc.

A negative postpartum body image can contribute to low self-esteem and postpartum depression, as well as a host of other negative emotional and societal effects. It can also cause a mother to diet which could potentially be detrimental to her infant if she is breastfeeding as well as contribute to postpartum depression symptoms from lack of nutrients and calories.

I cannot count the number of times I have heard mothers of young children say, "I have felt so unattractive since I had my baby." We need to reclaim the "mama body" and celebrate it as an image of strength, warmth, and beauty. How can you proudly embrace your mother-body? How can we as a society promote positive postpartum body image? One mother, Bonnie Crowder, hosts a website called The Shape of a Mother. It is dedicated to honoring the maternal body throughout pregnancy and postpartum. She has been collecting and posting photos to celebrate the normal, healthy mother body. Seeing pictures of mother's bodies that are not altered by surgery or other severe measures to return to the before pregnancy state is a start.

Throughout the week I will be posting ideas to nurture your new mama body.

Nurture will be hosting several workshops in June, one of which is focused on reconnecting with your body postpartum. Check back for more details soon!

Postpartum Depression Advocacy Blog

Everyday I check Katherine Stone's blog Postpartum Progress. Katherine is an advocate for women with postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders. I have found her blog to be, not only a rich source of information about ppd, but also a good thought provoking daily read.

Art Therapy

Our service options continue to grow! Amy Williams, co-founder of Nurture and Art Therapist is now available to provide services.

Amy Williams, ATR-BC
(503)-913-5934
amy@nurturepdx.com

I am a Board-Certified, Registered Art Therapist with over 5 years clinical experience offering individual, group and family treatment. I have training and experience working with adolescents and their families, predominantly with teens that have been involved with the juvenile justice system in some way. I have a growing interest in working with expectant mothers and have received training from Pam England, the author of Birthing From Within. I look forward to offering a number of birth art workshops and birthing preparation courses using Birthing From Within concepts. I am available to provide art therapy and counseling services for children, adolescents, adults and families.

Services and Specialties
Life Transitions
Anxiety/Depression
Self-esteem
Grief and Loss
Abuse
Family work
Body image
Prenatal/Postpartum issues

My approach is to create a safe and supportive environment and a nurturing, therapeutic relationship where one can explore challenging and often painful life experiences in ways that deepen understanding and meaning. I counsel by following, supporting, and respecting the needs of my client, and providing gentle guidance and relevant insights for activating change. I believe we all grow up with certain feelings, thoughts, and ways of being that define who we are, and that often, we come to a place in our lives where we must challenge old patterns for growth and change to occur. In session, I utilize a variety of creative techniques to bring about the process of healing and growth through genuine self-expression.

I am available evenings and weekends.
My rate is $55 per hour and I am also willing to negotiate fee based on income.

Counseling & Art Therapy

Our space is just about ready, and we are ready to start offering more services.
At this time we are offering counseling and art therapy; Mychelle Moritz, co-founder of Nurture and counselor/art therapist is now accepting clients.

Mychelle Moritz, MA, ATR-BC, LPC:
I am a licensed professional counselor and an art therapist. I offer supportive counseling and/or art therapy with a special focus on pregnancy and postpartum concerns. I have 6 years of clinical experience and have completed a doula class and a perinatal mood disorder training. I also have extensive experience working with trauma.

Focus:
Preparation and Choices About Becoming a Parent
Prevetion of Postpartum Mood Disorders
Emotional Birth Preparation
Birth Trauma (processing difficult birth experiences)
Postpartum Adjustment, Depression, Anxiety
Birth Preparation for Trauma Survivors
Pregnancy Loss

Philosophy:
There are many ways to parent and each mother/couple has to find an approach that works best for them with the whole family in mind. Whether you are pregnant or in the early child rearing years, I can offer support, ideas, and resources as you explore what feels best for you and your family. My art therapy/counseling approach is nonjudgmental and based on my belief that personal challenges can inspire growth and healing when the experiences are processed in meaningful ways. I use creative expression in a supportive environment, based on a warm and dynamic relationship, to facilitate awareness, insight, and compassion. I use an eclectic art therapy approach drawing from feminist, narrative, and (when appropriate) trauma theories to empower each person to find balance, resolution, and new and preferred ways to experience life.

Availability:
I am available on weekends and some evenings.

Fees:
$65/hour
I also offer a sliding scale based on need.

Contact:
Please call (971) 344-7527
or e-mail mychelle@nurturepdx.com

Perinatal Mood Disorders

This video link was passed to me from Wendy Davis of Baby Blues Connection and Postpartum Support International. The video was created by a woman from British Columbia, Sarah Pond, of mama2mama and Postpartum Support International. Pass on the link...spread the word and help break the silence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7VSk0Z6a8Y