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?
