The baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety… these are all part of the range of postpartum mood disorders that affect more than one in five birthing people in Canada. Changing hormones, lack of sleep, adjusting to life with baby and underlying predispositions to depression or other mood disorders can all contribute to this statistic. Often mistaken for a ‘normal’ adjustment to the fatigue and stress that can occur with life after birth, postpartum mood disorders can go undiagnosed and can be frightening and debilitating for both you and your loved ones.
As we have seen, doula support provides many benefits and one of them is that it lowers your risk of postpartum mood disorders! The continuous presence of a caring, empathetic support person, the fact that doula supported births often result in higher satisfaction with the birth experience, and the feeling of empowerment that often comes with having a doula’s support for your birth all contribute to less fear and anxiety during the birth experience, and a greater sense of well-being in the early days with baby as well.
Living through postpartum mood disorders can be difficult and a doula can help. By discussing your risks beforehand, providing immediate postpartum care after the birth and visiting you in the days/weeks after birth as well, doulas can help you be aware of the first signs and get the early intervention that is so critical in treating postpartum depression and other mood disorders following birth.
Doula support makes a difference! I would love to support you during your birth journey – and bring you the lasting benefits that doula support can give. If you’re in the Greater Sudbury, Espanola, French River, St. Charles or Markstay-Warren areas, I would love to hear from you.
Coming up next: How the doula difference leads to higher satisfaction with your birth experience