{"id":26967,"date":"2026-04-07T18:24:25","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T18:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=26967"},"modified":"2026-04-08T20:43:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:43:36","slug":"caring-for-mothers-postpartum-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/caring-for-mothers-postpartum-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Caring for mothers\u2019 postpartum mental health","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

The time after a baby is born can be filled with overwhelming emotions, ranging from immense joy to sadness.<\/p>\n

Stress, lack of sleep and hormonal changes play into this. Within 24 hours of giving birth, a mom\u2019s levels of estrogen and progesterone drop from the highest they\u2019ll ever be back to pre-pregnancy levels.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s common for moms to feel sad or anxious and have what\u2019s called the \u201cbaby blues.\u201d But when these feelings persist beyond two weeks after birth, it might be postpartum depression.<\/p>\n

One in eight new moms have postpartum depression, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women\u2019s Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Checking in on support and self-care<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The postpartum period is considered the first full year after giving birth. At MultiCare, patients have three postpartum checkup appointments: at two weeks, six weeks and the one-year mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to checking on how patients are healing physically from childbirth at these appointments, we assess our patients\u2019 mental health \u2014 we ask how they are doing emotionally and how the transition to parenthood is going,\u201d says Rossi Elliott<\/a>, CNM, ARNP, PMH-C, a certified nurse-midwife with MultiCare Rockwood Clinic – OB\/GYN & Midwifery Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the start of each postpartum appointment at the Rockwood Clinic, patients fill out a health form with nine questions on mood and well-being.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe score [from the questionnaire] helps us figure out if they are feeling a little down or anxious, or if it is more severe,\u201d Elliott explains. “If the score is high, we recommend following up with a perinatal therapist, medication therapy \u2014 or a combination of both, with a suggested follow-up visit within four weeks.”<\/p>\n

To gain a deeper understanding of what might be causing depression and\/or anxiety, patients are asked about their support system \u2014 do they have a partner, are they a single parent, do they have family or friends checking in?<\/p>\n

Providers also check in on self-care \u2014 what does their sleep look like, are they getting nourishment and exercise, are they getting any time to themselves?<\/p>\n

Sometimes making adjustments to these aspects of life \u2014 getting help with child care, taking time to get fresh air, incorporating nutritious foods \u2014 can go far in improving mood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, if their depression and\/or anxiety is impacting their ability to function, get through the day or take care of themselves or children, or causing any thoughts of harm, we will discuss available treatment options to get them the help they need,\u201d says Elliott.<\/p>\n

Taking the next step in managing postpartum depression<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cIf a patient already has a therapist, I encourage them to continue to see them regularly, or we help them find a counselor if they don\u2019t already have one,\u201d says Elliott.<\/p>\n

Medication can be a useful tool in managing postpartum depression and anxiety. And there are medications that are safe to use while breastfeeding.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tell my patients, it\u2019s OK to be on medication,\u201d Elliott says. \u201cIf you were told you had kidney disease, the first step may simply be lifestyle modifications \u2014 diet, physical activity, etc. However, sometimes these interventions just don’t make enough of an impact alone, and medication may be warranted. Mental health needs ought to be addressed in a similar way.”<\/p>\n

For complex mental health needs that require more extensive help, Elliott either consults with a patient\u2019s psychiatrist, if they have one, or makes a referral to a psychiatrist within MultiCare\u2019s behavioral health network.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce needs are identified, we have a great list of community-based resources to plug patients into as well,\u201d she adds. \u201cThis includes parent-baby groups and programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) that help with nutrition and wellness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Help throughout the postpartum journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although mental health and mood disorders tend to creep up the first six weeks after birth, they can occur any time. And Elliott wants to assure patients they can follow up with the clinic whenever the need arises.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf patients are struggling with their mental health after we see them at their six-week appointment, we encourage them to come back and see us,\u201d she adds. \u201cOur group is really passionate about maternal mental health, and we want our patients to know we are here as a resource for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you are having any symptoms of postpartum depression, don\u2019t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor or other health care provider to discuss how you\u2019re feeling and get the support you may need.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: This article was originally published in May 2023 and updated in April 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The time after a baby is born can be filled with overwhelming emotions, ranging from immense joy to sadness. Stress, lack of sleep and hormonal changes play into this. Within 24 hours of giving birth, a mom\u2019s levels of estrogen and progesterone drop from the highest they\u2019ll ever be back to pre-pregnancy levels. It\u2019s common […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":451,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[115],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26967","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-womens-health"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMultiCare offers help for postpartum depression - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Certified nurse midwife, Rossi Elliott-Airy, addresses maternal mental health at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic OB\/GYN & Midwifery Center.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/caring-for-mothers-postpartum-mental-health\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Diagnosing and treating postpartum depression - 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