WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

A mother's bond with her child often starts when she feels fetal movements during pregnancy. Most mothers experience a surge of affection with their infant immediately after birth, but not all, and sometimes this is often normal. This experience may not occur at all or be delayed under conditions of addiction or postnatal depression.  Other disorders can arise in the months following birth, such as postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis or birth-related post traumatic stress disorder.  These disorders can be treated and treatment will benefit both mother and child.  Early disruption of attachment bonds can lead to enduring problems in development and maintaining interpersonal relationships and problems with depression and anxiety.

Learn more about these disorders on our website at: Perinatal (Post Partum) Disorders

Additional External Resources:

More Than Just the Blues - Wisconsin Department of Health Services Brochure (.pdf)  Includes 10 quick screening questions, risk factors, tips for helping a loved one and additional resources

• English
• Spanish
• Hmong

Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA One Year Update, Spring 2011  Amnesty International.
Key findings:

• According to new UN data, maternal mortality in the US has worsened, falling from 41st to 50th in the world.
• Women living in low-income areas across the US were twice as likely to suffer a maternal death as women in high income areas.
• Limited postpartum care often fails to meet women’s needs, including by not following recommendations to screen for postpartum depression, which affects 10-25% of women.

Postpartum Depression Resources (links to high quality organizations and resources by Georgetown University's Maternal and Child Health Library)

Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care - information for perinatal health care professionals and consumers

• Algorithm for Management of Unipolar Depression in Pregnant and Postpartum Women and the Antidepressant Medication Chart can be found under "Materials and Publications"

Perinatal Depression Directory (1 MG .pdf)

• Provider Index
• County Index
• Subject Index

Open Forum Session Wednesdays from Postpartum Support International  - Free open forum sessions available via telephone bridgeline to women, friends and families who may be suffering from/recovering from postpartum mood disorders and who would like confidential basic information about these illnesses.