Maternal Mental Health in MarylandMaternal Mental Health in Maryland A recent report from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health awarded Maryland a C grade, ranking it among the 14 best states in the country for maternal mental health. However, personal experiences and systemic issues suggest that there is significant room for improvement. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common challenges for new mothers, but the healthcare system often fails to provide adequate support. A mother shares her struggles with postpartum depression and the disheartening lack of assistance she received. From unsympathetic health coaches to dismissive midwives, new mothers are met with obstacles and their concerns are minimized. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a screening tool for postpartum depression, is often not discussed or noted in medical records, leaving mothers feeling questioned and unsupported. The author calls for improvements in healthcare systems, including: * Having pediatricians discuss the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale results with new mothers. * Ensuring that health coaches provide support and help new mothers access additional services. * Educating healthcare providers about the prevalence and importance of postpartum depression. * Improving the responsiveness of federally qualified health centers to postpartum depression. The report and these experiences highlight the urgent need to address maternal mental health in Maryland. By implementing these recommendations, the state can create a healthcare system that truly supports new mothers and helps them thrive.
It’s a sad sign when a C is the best in the class.
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health recently gave Maryland a C grade for maternal mental health (“Report: Md. shows ‘incremental’ gains in maternal mental health, but more work to be done”), making Maryland one of the 14 best states in the country for 2024.
As a mother who struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I am not surprised by the gaps highlighted in the Maryland report. Our home state’s health care systems are not designed to provide new mothers with the services they need.
My life took a dark turn after my daughter was born. As I packed up to leave the hospital with her, I cried, though I didn’t know why. Strange feelings of nervousness and dread came over me as the sun set and I prepared for a night of juggling night feeds and interrupted sleep. The cozy pictures of peaceful mothers cuddling their newborns were foreign to me; my world was dark, repetitive, and confusing.
After leaving the hospital, I was faced with half-hearted attempts to address my postpartum depression. A health coach from my insurance company called shortly after I was discharged. I confessed that I was feeling unstable and needed help; she responded that her focus was on my physically health, not mine mentally health.
After reviewing my responses to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the midwife at my doctor’s office remarked, “So, new mommy blues?” and moved on to the next part of the appointment. Her comment left me questioning my own feelings and whether I should ask for help.
At my daughter’s pediatrician appointments, I filled out the same questionnaire about depression. Despite answering the questions honestly and making sure I checked the “boxes” for help, the pediatrician never discussed or talked to me about it.
After this happened on multiple visits, I began to refuse the questionnaire. Every time I hit a roadblock, I felt like my postpartum depression was being questioned, belittled, and ignored.
I share these experiences in the hope that they will influence changes in our health care systems. If pediatricians were to offer the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, They should discuss the reactions with new mothers. This means that more time must be made available for appointments and that this must be recorded in the medical file.
When health coaches talk to a new mother, they need to help her access services they can’t provide. It’s unrealistic to expect new mothers to navigate the maze of our health care system alone, between sleepless nights, feedings, and diaper changes. Health care providers need to understand the importance and prevalence of postpartum depression.
The dismissive comment I received is particularly concerning because it occurred at a federally qualified health center. These centers often serve patients from vulnerable communities and should be more, not less, attuned to postpartum depression.
Fixing Maryland’s health care systems to better serve postpartum women will take a monumental effort. It is vital. I hope our state and local leaders will seriously consider the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health’s report so that all Maryland mothers can thrive.
