As a PREGNANT or POSTPARTUM woman, are you feeling depressed and/or anxious? Maternal Depression and Anxiety can be experienced during pregnancy and or after delivery of baby (for up to one year) and affects 1 in 5 women. There are potential effects to the whole family, as 10% of partners experience depression and anxiety, more if the mother is depressed. Parental mental health issues can affect child health and development.
Treating anxiety may help to prevent depression. Both are TREATABLE and not your fault!
Signs of anxiety and depression include Irritability or anger, Excessive worry and guilt, Inability to relax, hypervigilance, Sleep problems, Sadness, Panic attacks, Repetitive thoughts, Lack of bonding with your baby, Crying, Fearfulness, Obsessive intrusive thoughts, Indecisiveness, Thoughts of harm to self or others.
To learn if you may be experiencing depression and or anxiety, do the following for yourself:
Answer the 10-question Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen (EPDS) Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Screen and Care Guide
Share your score and the Care Guide with your healthcare provider to begin the conversation toward healing your and your baby’s mental health and happiness.
Call HealthLine 811 and ask for the Maternal Wellness Program: Call 811, and press the option for Mental Health and Addictions. Explain to the Registered Nurse how you are feeling and how you would like to be screened (for depression and or anxiety) and referred to the “Maternal Wellness Program.”
Breastfeeding resources:
Dr. Jack Newman’s clinic
La Leche League Canada
Breastfeeding Committee of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Prevention Institute For more information about available provincial supports.
Regina Perinatal Health Network The Regina Perinatal Health Network (RPHN) is committed to creating easier access to treatment and support for women/birthing people in the community who are experiencing a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD).
Online Wellbeing Course The Online Therapy Unit is led by Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos from the University of Regina and is free of charge.
Prairie Heart Counselling providing online and in-person sessions
Jody Coucill, Registered Social Worker specializing in perinatal mood disorders
Mother’s Empowering Mothers Saskatoon’s Postpartum Support Group
PSI International 1.800.944.4PPD | You will receive a return message within hours and receive support, reassurance, and connection with resources where you live. The PSI 800 Helpline number is used quite a bit for Canadian families, and we have Helpline volunteers from Canada. In addition, PSI has support coordinators throughout the provinces (and in other countries) http://www.postpartum.net:
COORDINATORS:
CHERIE BOISON
Saskatoon
Telephone: 306-241-2230
calls and texts welcome
cowens110@shaw.ca
AMY SCHICK
Lloydminster & Surrounding Area
Telephone: 780-872-6094 TEXT OR CALL
afterglowpp@hotmail.com
Find more help in Saskatchewan.
Continue to:
- Be kind to yourself
- Ask for and accept help with your baby and housework
- Keep active – go for a walk
- Get enough sleep – at least 6 hours in 24 hours
- Eat healthily and eat regularly
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
- Take medications as prescribed
- Try yoga or other activities to help you relax
- Search for a support group or other support in your community
- Talk to a healthcare provider
- Click here to access our Maternal Mental Health Toolkit The MMH Toolkit Booklet.
- Deep Belly Breathing
- Meditation and Mindfulness (search YouTube or Pinterest)
Additional Resources:
The Smiling Mask: Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood
Postpartum Depression – The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety – Child and Family Health – Toronto Public Health
AnxietyBC for New Moms and Moms to Be
Building maternal mental health capacity in Saskatchewan. 