Dr. Shannon M. Clark was joined by perinatal psychiatrist, Dr. Nichelle Haynes, to discuss perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Below is a summary of the discussion and the full YouTube video!
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychosis. They can occur at any time during the pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), can have effects on mom before, during, and after pregnancy, with symptoms further magnifying after delivery because of the new stressors like lack of sleep, hormonal shifts, and psychosocial status.
Thyroid disease, anemia, vitamin deficiencies (B12, folate), and substance use disorders.
Anxiety lies on a spectrum. Most new mothers, especially first-time mothers, are prone to experiencing some anxiety in the postpartum period. It might include worries about whether the baby will be safe, is eating or sleeping enough and if you are doing a good enough job as a mother. All of these feelings and fears are normal!. A low level of anxiety, especially in the early days, is an adaptive feature for mothers to stay alert for their baby’s safety. However, postpartum anxiety becomes problematic when it consumes every second of every day. For example, if anxiety prevents you from sleeping, making typically easy decisions or driving anywhere with your baby for fear something will happen, then it might be starting to become problematic.
Postpartum anxiety does not mean you’re crazy or paranoid. Anxiety is very real. It is not something you are making up, nor does it say anything about your ability to be a mother or how well you are coping. Between the significant hormonal shifts that occur after childbirth and the sleep deprivation, added responsibilities and physical healing after delivery, there are many triggers for you to develop anxiety.
Mild symptoms: Therapy, support options (ie. Individual psychotherapy (interpersonal therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, Self-care plan for sleep, diet and exercise, or group psychotherapy), possible medications.
Moderate symptoms: Same as above, but strongly consider medications, and consider referral or consult with a mental health care provider.
Severe symptoms: Same as above, but refer patient to a mental health care provider.
It is much more common for women to develop feelings of anxiety and low or irritable mood during pregnancy than one might expect. The good news is that treatment options are plentiful to help manage these symptoms and allow a woman to have a positive and enjoyable pregnancy. The traditional treatments we often consider include psychotherapy and medications. However, there are many more complimentary treatment options to explore. This includes massage for mood, acupuncture, light box therapy, folic acid supplementation, and omega-3s. To learn more about each one, read Complimentary and Alternative Treatment Options for Mood Symptoms in Pregnancy.
Medications are recommended for moderate or severe symptoms, or other co-morbid conditions (like anxiety, h/o other mood disorders). SSRIs are the best studied classes of medications in pregnancy. For many women, benefits outweigh the risks. If a woman needs treatment with a medication, we use what has worked for patient in the past, use lowest effective dose, minimize switching medications (if patient has been on a medication at a therapeutic dose for 4-8 weeks with no help, may need to change medication), monotherapy is preferred if possible, we may need to adjust the dose (if symptoms are better, but not resolved, can increase dose), and we do not recommend stopping SSRIs prior to delivery. Common antidepressants used in pregnancy are Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, and Prozac.
It’s best to continue medications that are already working in someone who is pregnant or lactating.
Women take many medications in pregnancy that are not known to be 100% safe. The same goes for medications for PMADs. An untreated or under-treated pregnant woman with a PMAD during pregnancy and lactation can be just as risky for the pregnancy as any medication given to treat the PMAD.
There are effective treatment options during pregnancy and lactation. You can call your insurance carrier to see what therapists and psychiatrists are available. Postpartum Support International is a great resource. Also, MCPAP For Moms, and Lifeline4Moms.
If these symptoms are impairing your ability to care for your baby, go about your daily routine or your ability to rest is limited, please contact a mental health professional or obstetrician.
I also want to take a moment to introduce you to a new a mental wellness and self-discovery program with immersive audio--Aluma: Self-discovery for moms through daily acts of creativity. Alma was started by Bonnie Kuhl, a mom of a three-year-old who learned she had bipolar disorder and general anxiety disorder, and Dr. Nichelle Haynes, a perinatal psychiatrist who cares for people during pregnancy, postpartum, and during parenting.
Here is a little more info about the program:
Each beautiful book issue has 45 bite-sized, engaging pieces of content, allowing you to build a healthy habit of mental self-care away from craziness.
Content Includes: Journaling prompts, Creative Writing, sketching & art, interviews, advice from professionals, and more. All with immersive guided audio
Everything that we make is co-created by a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in helping mothers and mothers-to-be.
You'll find a whole section of Fundamentals written by our own Dr. Nichelle Haynes in each issue that addresses current, meaningful issues in mental health for moms. While she is not your doctor, the general information can be helpful in helping in your day-to-day.
We are moms and we know it's hard to find and afford time to work on yourself. That's why since the beginning we've designed all core pieces of content to take only 15 minutes.
It's also why we incorporated audio: to enhance the sensory experience and make the most of time you can step away.
Each activity has a narrated guide to help you make sense of why we're doing the exercise, and how to get the most out of it.
It's even more than that, though:
We've composed custom ambient music and designed lush environments in which we set first-person fiction. When the audio isn't helping you understand your work, it becomes an Audioscape transporting you somewhere interesting in your mind.
These mini mind-vacations and special attention to the emotional signal set by the music are a unique feature of Aluma.
Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS is a double board certified ObGyn and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, and founder of Babies After 35. In her roles as a clinician, educator and researcher at UTMB-Galveston, she focuses on the care of people with maternal and/or fetal complications of pregnancy. Dr. Clark has taken a special interest in pregnancy after the age of 35, which according to age alone, is considered a high-risk pregnancy.
Follow Shannon on TikTok @tiktokbabydoc, Facebook @babiesafter35, and Instagram @babiesafter35.
Check out the products for TTC through parenthood in the Babies After 35 Amazon shop, online courses and other services that come "Dr. Clark-approved"!
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