Resources For Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and PMAD's

According to the research, between 15 and 20% of new moms will experience some sort of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMADs) after giving birth.  PMADs are the most common pregnancy complication. Having a baby can be very isolating and suffering from a mental health problem on top of that can cause even more problems. PMADs might affect a woman’s ability to care for herself and her children.  These illnesses are common and treatable.

Signs and Symptoms

Healthy New Moms.org

Crisis/ Suicide Hotline

Suicide accounts for 5.3% of perinatal deaths, or approximately 1 out of every 19 deaths in pregnant or postpartum women during that time period.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Crisis Text Line

Screening Tools

Mental Health America.net Online screening for depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mental health disorders

Maternal Mental Health Now- Self-screen toolkit

Edinburgh Scale for Postnatal Depression Easy to use screening tool for postpartum depression used by doctors, nurses, and health professionals

How to Set Up a Postpartum Depression / Anxiety Plan

How to talk to a Mom, by Pooja Lakshmin, MD at the American College of Nurse Midwives DC Affiliate Conference on Women's Health and Wellness in April 2018

Focusing on What You Can Control, Building a Strong Parent-Child Bond, and Managing Postpartum Stress in the Height of COVID, by Emily Griffin

Mother Mag blog post How to Prepare for Postpartum Depression

National Institute of Health Mom’s Mental Health Matters

Postpartum Support Virginia PDF The Postpartum Plan

Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders; Healing Outcomes, by Laura Macone, MSW, LCSW, Doulas of Capitol Hill Client Portal, resource accessible for Doulas of Capitol Hill families (requires password).

PMAD and the Role of the Doula, by Dr. Emma Basch PsyD,  Doulas of Capitol Hill blog

Talking with Women about Postpartum Depression and Anxiety,  by Laura Macone, MSW, LCSW, Doulas of Capitol Hill Client Portal, resource accessible for Doulas of Capitol Hill families (requires password)

Local Resources

Healthy New Moms- Maryland’s Maternal Mental Health Campaign

Postpartum Support DC

Postpartum Support Maryland

Postpartum Support Virginia

Local Mental Health Professionals

Akoma Counseling, Shivonne Odom, LCPC, LPC, NCC, PMH-C

Catalyst Counseling, Laura Macone LCSW, Alexandria, VA

Center for Maternal Wellness NW DC

DC/MD/ VA Guide find a specialist in perinatal mental health

Dr. Emma Basch, PsyD NW DC

George Washington University Five Trimester’s Clinic- low fee medication evaluation and management

Happy Parents Happy Babies, Emily Griffin, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Mary’s Center- lower fee therapy and medication

The Spring Project low fee psychotherapy

Washington Anxiety Center SE DC

Local Support Groups

Dr. Emma Basch PsyD NW DC

P.A.C.E Moms groups many small groups throughout the DMV

Postpartum Support Virginia Fairfax and Alexandria

Emily Griffin LCSW NW DC

Mindful Moms private community and support from a licensed perinatal mental health clinician

Online Resources

Center for Disease Control

Climb Out of Darkness  The world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and OCD, postpartum post-traumatic stress, postpartum psychosis, perinatal bipolar mood disorders, and pregnancy depression and anxiety.

National Institute of Mental Health

Postpartum Depression.org Tips for partners, Take a quiz

Postpartum Progress The world’s most widely-read blog dedicated to maternal mental illness.

Postpartum Support International

TED Talk on one woman’s experience and her TED Talk to bring awareness and reduce the stigma of postpartum depression

Medication During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding/ Chestfeeding

LactMed online catalog of medicine and it’s safety rating for breastfeeding/ chestfeeding parents

Reducing stress and anxiety while breastfeeding, by Kim Hawkins Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, Doulas of Capitol Hill blog

SSRI’s, Pregnancy, and Motherhood, by Katie B, Doulas of Capitol Hill blog

For Partners

The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression

Postpartum for Fathers from Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Men for fathers who have postpartum depression

Trainings for Doulas/ Birth Attendants

Mary’s Center DC based trainings

Maternal Mental Health Now “Community Provider Toolkit” pdf download

Maternal Mental Health Now “Online Training”

Postpartum Support International webinars for families and community

Postpartum Support International Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for Women of Color created to fill a gap in support services for professionals and communities of color around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Seleni Includes a free 30 minute training and course bundles

Supplementary Methods

Acupuncture Lavender Retreat SE DC

Fertile Living Alexandria, VA

EFT tapping/ Hypnosis

Flower essence (Bach Rescue Remedy ™) study on use of flower essence to assist in depression treatment

Yoga- published study on the use of yoga for treatment of depression

Research

Sleep and Perinatal Mood Disorders: A critical review

Recent Advances in Understanding Maternal Perinatal Mood Disorders

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Postpartum Depression treatment for Low-income Women of Color

Information on this web site is for educational purposes only. It may provide some self-help relief. However, it should not substitute for a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed mental health professional.

Updated 9/4/2020

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