LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – Health care workers at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center say help is out there for new mothers with postpartum depression.
Officials say one in five moms suffer from depression during or after their pregnancy. Symptoms can include mood swings, having trouble getting out of bed, and suicidal thoughts. Officials say there are factors that make new moms more at risk for getting depressed after giving birth.
“If they have a family history of this, that makes you maybe 30% to 50% more likely to have it. There are a ton of other risk factors such as stressful life events during pregnancy, a young maternal age, lack of social supporter,” said Dartmouth Health’s Beatrice Ngugi.
The experts say it’s important for new moms to have a postpartum plan or a “mom team” that they can go to support. That includes rides to appointments, helping with meals, or simply having someone who checks in regularly.
Anyone who is struggling is encouraged to reach out to their health care provider.
More Resources:
Dartmouth Health Women’s Health Resource Center New Mother Support Group
Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Good Beginnings of the Upper Valley
New Hampshire chapter of Postpartum Support International
Orange County Parent Child Center
