Postpartum Mood Disorders During COVID-19
This can be a really stressful time for everyone. ESPECIALLY if you’re getting ready to welcome a new baby into the family.
The extra anxiety of not knowing if you will be exposed to the virus in the hospital….will your partner be able to be present with you….can your doula, who you have gotten to know so well over the last few months, be with you during this process? And what about after? You hired a postpartum doula and now it looks like she can’t come to the house…..how is that going to look?
There are some good resources for support during this time. For starters, I like to refer my families to a good assessment tool that they can use in the privacy of their own home to see if they really should seek some help. I encourage everyone to take this assessment as a first step:
http://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm
There are some support groups listed at the bottom of the assessment that can be useful tools to get help, if needed. One of my favorites is: https://www.postpartum.net/ Here, you can call the hotline for urgent help. You can also click on the ‘find local resources’ link to get connected with a therapist near you. We have a few favorites in SE Michigan and are happy to refer to a really great resource if you want a referral.
Some of the easier things to do for yourself include getting out into the sunshine when it’s out. Even just a few minutes each day of sunshine can make a difference. Get some exercise. If you have a new baby, this may be tricky. But even just a walk to the mailbox and back can help. If you have a treadmill or bike at home, even better. Eat good healthy meals. This includes appropriate fats, carbohydrates and proteins at each meal. Can you cook a meal for yourself once a day? Perfect. If you can’t, can someone else help you put meals together? In this time of social distancing, this can be tricky. However, healthy meals are so so so important for your mental, physical and emotional health. Lastly, call a friend or a loved one. Have a good cry. Maybe do both together. Reach out to one of us at Ann Arbor Postpartum Doulas. One of us is happy to talk with you and help guide you in the right direction.
We are thinking of you all- praying for your mental, physical and emotional health during this time. May you all be well! ~The Ann Arbor Postpartum Doulas team
