October 24, 2007
Mothers Act!
Today is blog day for The Mothers Act. I had planned to write a post pertaining to my struggle with post-partum depression, as well as the health and well being of mothers around the world.
Women across the globe give birth to children every day. It’s surprising to learn that almost 20 percent of new mothers suffer from PPD. Twenty percent. Two out of every ten mothers. Think about it.
I’m certain that you know a mother who has struggled with PPD. I’m not talking about the baby blues, or crying while watching a Hallmark commercial. While that can be emotionally trying, imagine having no desire to interact with your baby. Imagine having panic attacks, nightmares and feeling utterly exhausted every single minute of the day.
These symptoms are some of what I experienced nearly a year and a half after giving birth. My doctor labeled it as Delayed Post-Partum Depression. I had the baby blues after returning home from the hospital, but gradually my emotions and hormones returned to somewhat “normal” levels. I was “okay” until my baby started getting older. It was then that realized I still didn’t feel like I “me” again.
My symptoms were minor compared to women who experience PPD early on. Through therapy and medical treatment (in the form of an anti-depressant), I was able to work through my depression. After several months I was able to stop taking the medicine prescribed because of the progress I made.
Most people do not know about my disorder. I never openly discussed it. I never shared my troubles with my family or my friends. Even my husband didn’t quite “get it”. He just assumed I was tired and needed rest. Luckily, I had an amazing doctor who monitored my emotional and mental health.
Through blogging, I’ve only written about my struggles a few times, but I’ve never written the words.
I struggled with depression.
As you can see, I still can’t get the words out. Not completely. Not yet. Maybe not for a very long time, either.
Katherine Stone writes at BlogHer:
“Postpartum depression is a serious and disabling condition that affects up to 20 percent of new mothers — as much as 800,000 American women each year. Yet only 15 percent of these women will receive any assessment or treatment. Let me repeat. With all we know and as smart as we are, only 15% of 800,000 women will get diagnosed and treated. That is so wrong on so many levels. Women are not being diagnosed because they’re not being educated and they’re not being screened. Untreated, the consequences of maternal mood disorders range from chronic, disabling depression to death. The impact of untreated maternal depression on infants/children ranges from behavioral and learning disabilities to depression and, in the worst case scenarios, death from infanticide.”
As part of Mothers Act, BlogHer, Postpartum Support International and Postpartum Progress are joining together to host Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. They are asking bloggers from around the country to write about the MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression on Wednesday October 24th, to encourage their readers to pick up the phone that day, call their Senators and urge them to endorse this critical legislation.
What is the MOTHERS Act?
The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, or MOTHERS Act (S. 1375), will ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms and provided with essential services. In addition, it will increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression. The bill is sponsored by Senators Menendez and Durbin.
So,
1. Blog it on Blog Day for The MOTHERS Act today, Wednesday, October 24, 2007
2. Share your link at BlogHer
3. Proudly display the badge in this post stating you’re going to do the above.
4. CALL YOUR SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO SPONSOR AND SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION!!!
5. Go to Postpartum Support International to get all the contact info you need.
Or, click here to find your United States Senator’s contact information and then all you need to do is say to the person who answers the phone:
“I’m calling because I want the Senator to vote for the MOTHERS Act, Senate Bill 1375. I vote and live in the Senator’s state.”
So, what do you say? Will you show your support for mother’s around the world?
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October 24th, 2007 at 4:19 pm, American Singles » Mothers Act! Says:
[...] The Dana Files wrote an interesting post today on Mothers Act!Here’s a quick excerpt [ MothersAct] Today is blog day for The Mothers Act. I had planned to write a post pertaining to … and feeling utterly exhausted every single minute of the day. These symptoms are some of what I experienced … percent of new mothers — as much as 800,000 American [...]
October 24th, 2007 at 7:44 pm, Katherine Stone Says:
Thank you so much for posting today and supporting Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act. Let’s hope people keep writing and calling into tomorrow, because I hear the phone lines were pretty busy today. Women have so much power and we sometimes forget to use it. You have helped so many women with PPD, and I am forever grateful!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:29 pm, amanda Says:
Here from Blogher. Great post!
October 25th, 2007 at 10:07 am, Dana Says:
Thanks, Katherine! It was my pleasure to post about a very important subject!
Thank you, Amanda!
October 28th, 2007 at 10:16 pm, MGH Center for Womens Mentalh Health Says:
Thanks for your support of the MOTHERS Act. Too often postpartum depression is a problem that goes unnoticed, and most women with PPD never receive any type of treatment. PPD is a treatable illness, and it is essential that we continue to educate ourselves and others about this important issue.
For more information on PPD, visit us at The MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:04 am, Katherine Stone Says:
I’d like to invite you to join our Surviving and Thriving Mothers Photo Album (http://postpartumprogress.typepad.com/photos/happy_healthy_mom/index.html) at Postpartum Progress. The photo album helps to show mothers who are currently suffering that they will survive and become happy mothers. It features women who have recovered from postpartum mood disorders and their children. If you would like to be in it, email me a jpeg to stonecallis@msn.com, and include your first name and last initial, as well as which illness you suffered and what year it was, and the state you live in!
February 26th, 2008 at 3:24 pm, Alison Says:
I had suprisingly never heard about this until today, when an uneducated friend of mine who has never had children posted a statement telling us to fight this act, I did some research and could find no solid reason why I should oppose this act, however as always having the goverment involved always makes me uneasy, it’s about time we have some more answers.
I have two beautiful children, I was only 21 when I had my last one, I had manic episodes the whole way through my pregnancy and then was suicidal, angry, would cry and start fights with my husband for well over a year, though I tried very hard to keep pace with life and two little children who needed me, I honestly don’t know how I got through it, I am still recovering from everything 4 years later. I lost my husband, and I am lucky that my children and loving and supportive grandparents. I think any woman out there who has felt like all that was left was to die, or to leave, and that the sound of that wonderful baby was too much, deserves to have the knowledge that there is help out there.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:50 pm, Dana Says:
Alison, you are definitely right! All mothers need to know that if they are feeling sad or depressed, there is help out there. The government needs to make it possible for more women to receive this help.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:46 am, MK Says:
Here’s another take on the so-called MOTHER’S ACT.
http://www.naturalnews.com/022789.html
MOTHERS Act Seeks to Drug Expectant Mothers with Antidepressants to “Treat” Postpartum Depression
This bill, apparently, is being pushed by BIG PHARMA and that should IMMEDIATELY alert you to the fact that drug companies are seeking to make a buck off the misery of women, once again.
Folks, trying googling “postpartum depression and nutrition” and learn about the connection between these two. If you suffer from this ailment, you doubtless are lacking in certain nutrients. Supplementing with them may very well clear up the problem.
March 9th, 2008 at 12:52 am, Marci Says:
I can see where you are coming from, but I am very opposed to the idea of women being forced to take the medication. Some women have very strong reactions to the medications at the medication itself can push them over the edge.