Heather Wilson, Early Childhood Support Team Leader at NCSS,
notes that many expectant mothers feel thrilled about the upcoming birth of
their child; they expect motherhood will be fulfilling and sublime, but when
the baby is born, they might not feel that way at all. Mothers may experience depression, anxiety,
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following a
traumatic birthing experience. Feelings of depression, compulsion, or anxiety
do not mean someone is a bad mother and they do not mean she doesn’t love her
baby. Every mother has her own story, says Heather. “We want [expectant and
postpartum mothers] to know we’re here to help. We want to be a source of light
during a time of darkness and provide comfort to unsettling distress.”
Anna Gabaree knew throughout her pregnancy that she was at
risk for postpartum depression and anxiety, and she knew what signs to look
for. As soon as her baby was born, she felt a change instantly, like something
wasn’t right. For Anna, the symptoms didn’t manifest in depression—as most
people might associate with struggling new mothers—rather, she feared for her
baby’s safety to a degree that was harmful. She would sit awake and stare at
her daughter through the night fearing that something would go wrong and her
baby would die. After feeding, Anna wouldn’t allow herself to leave her baby’s
side for even a moment, worrying that something terrible would occur in her
absence. As her daughter grew a bit older, she felt intense anxiety that she was
doing everything wrong: she hadn’t read to her daughter enough; she hadn’t
cleaned up enough; she hadn’t completed enough puzzles with her child. Like
many mothers, Anna held it together at work and with her friends—people who saw
her every day didn’t even know anything was wrong—but on the inside, she was
bubbling over with anxiety. On the day she found herself screaming into a
pillow to release, she knew she needed to seek help.
As supervisor of the Northwestern Medical Center Birthing
Center, Anna was in a knowledgeable position; she knew she was at risk and she
also had an understanding of symptoms and the kinds of resources that could
help. For expectant or postpartum mothers who are not as familiar, there are
screening tools to help identify troubling feelings, like the Edinburgh
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) that is used at Northwestern Medical Center
(NMC). The EPDS is a 10-question screening tool that asks mothers to consider
their feelings over the week leading up to the test. It is intended to be
administered with the mother privately; this way the mother has the best
opportunity to feel comfortable being honest. The EPDS can reveal results that
are then reviewed with the mother’s provider, and referrals can be made from
there.
While referrals can come from anywhere, a majority of the referrals to
the NCSS Perinatal Mental Health Counseling program come from NMC do to their
thorough screening process. The EPDS is conducted after delivery; in the
two-three days that a mother stays in the NMC Birthing Center; two weeks after
delivery; and again six weeks postpartum.
Sometimes a mother in the birthing unit might feel like
something is wrong, but she can’t identify it. These upsetting thoughts or emotions can start during pregnancy. “It can be easy to brush off,”
Anna says. “But it’s okay to say that. It’s okay to say ‘something isn’t right.
I’m not okay.’” When a woman does say this, Anna and the other nurses in the
Birthing center might follow up with questions like, “Can you tell me more
about that?” “What are you afraid of?” “What does it look like?” Expectant or postpartum
mothers can speak with any of the nurses in the Birthing Center; the nurses can
help attach vocabulary and understanding to feelings and also connect mothers
with programming at NCSS that can offer further supports. It’s important to
have quick access to programs and support, says Anna. A mother experiencing
these unsettling and forbidding feelings does not want to wait days to hear
from a provider. Within hours, a mother can be referred to the Perinatal Mental
Health Counseling program and feel like support is on the way.
The Perinatal Mental Health Counseling program is a unique
one at NCSS. Expectant mothers or new mothers who may be experiencing troubling
symptoms can receive counseling in their homes from a traveling counselor: Jessica Dewes, Early Childhood Specialist.
Packing up the car and driving to NCSS might not feel feasible for new mothers
just adopting a routine at home. Jessica will sit amidst a pile of laundry, or
push aside diapers and rattles to engage in a conversation. “Messes don’t matter,”
she says, laughing, as though she is recalling messes in her own home that
might invite judgement. Jessica can work with families and mothers to reduce
symptoms so motherhood can feel enjoyable and fulfilling. Jessica is also able
to make referrals to other programs for the family while she works with the
mother; as can be expected, the entire family can be affected when one is
struggling with a mental health issue. Jessica loves the work she does with
mothers, and she is moved by how many community members and mothers are open to
the program. It can be difficult to seek treatment; some mothers are
experiencing these feelings for the first time, and unfortunately, like many
mental health issues, there is stigma attached to postpartum depression and anxiety.
Part of that stigma might come from the media’s portrayal of
mothers experiencing depression or anxiety. Often, in movies, TV, and even the
news, stories are sensationalized and depict mothers as dangerous to their
babies. Within NCSS’s program, counselors and other staff try to break the
cycles of stigma. Every mother has her own story and her own journey, and for
each of those mothers NCSS can help them to develop some strategies for
success. Prior to a diagnosis of symptoms, everything can feel strange,
misunderstood, and weird. Jessica says she can tell a mother’s situation is
improving when the mother begins to be honest with herself about her feelings. Surrendering
can lead to important understanding and reduction of symptoms.
Finding a solid support system that encourages open, honest
communication can make all the difference for expectant and postpartum mothers. For Anna, that meant talking to her family
and her doctor. For other mothers, maybe that support person is a sister or a spouse,
a partner or a neighbor; maybe it’s the person who delivers the paper in the
morning.
The Perinatal Mental Health Counseling program at NCSS is
intended for expectant or postpartum mothers in Franklin and Grand Isle
counties. If you know of someone who is experiencing any of these troubling
symptoms, please reach out. There is no wrong door at NCSS; if you are looking to make a referral to the Perinatal Mental Health Counseling program, please call our main number, 802-524-6554 and someone will be happy to assist you.
Please click on the link to watch the NCSS Here for You episode on Perinatal Mental Health Counseling. In this episode, you can hear Heather Wilson, Jessica Dewes, and Anna Gabaree talk about this unique program.
we’re here for you.
Written by Meredith Vaughn
Written by Meredith Vaughn
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