Maternal mental health concerns remain the no. 1 medical complication of pregnancyaffecting between 15-20% of women. A recent research study indicates that for women with the most severe symptoms, maternal depression and anxiety often begin during pregnancy not just after giving birth. Yet despite this staggering statistic, 70 to 80 percent of these women never receive treatment, because they are never properly identified and diagnosed. Perinatal women across all demographics are vastly underserved with mental health needs and 50 percent of the women suffering from them aren't recognized, even when interacting with healthcare services.
Shelly knew something was wrong after the birth of her first child. Weeks after her baby's arrival, she felt detached from herself and from her baby. She cried frequently and had difficulty falling asleep at night. Her husband and close family members chalked Shelly's emotional difficulties up to the demands of new motherhood. They hired a mother's helper and encouraged her to rest. While this support was helpful, it didn't feel adequate. "I would have a few good days, but then I would feel badly again" says Shelly.
[For more of this story written by Juli Fraga and Meg Earls, go to http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...ealth_b_7219076.html]
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