Reasons Why Moms Need to Put Their Mental Health First

Moms have to deal with a long list of priorities: from household bills, to their children's schooling, dinner plans, managing full-time or part-time jobs, and much more. Rarely is their own welfare a part of this list, however — and that's despite consistent evidence that mothers are among those who struggle the most with poor mental health. Research in Global Women's Health found that depression and anxiety affect one in seven women during the perinatal period, and the numbers continue for experienced mothers. Leading studies reveal that this can have long-term consequences on their quality of life. Keep reading for a closer look on why mental health needs to be a mother’s priority.

Effects on Child Development

Experiencing depression and anxiety before and after birth was reported by CNN to be moderately linked with a child's deficits in language during infancy. This includes delays in cognitive and motor development as well. That is because the fetus could’ve been exposed to increased concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol. Otherwise, the neurocognitive changes that prepare mothers to be able to respond to distressed infants could’ve been hampered by depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Thus, to rear a happy and healthy child, mothers need to make sure that their environment is conducive to their own happiness. This can be done through prioritizing self-care: eating your favorite healthy meals, surrounding yourself with loved ones, and avoiding stressful situations.

Effects on Work-Life Balance

Stressful situations in life aren’t always avoidable. The USCB counts working mothers as accounting for one-third of all employed women. This is a growing statistic given how mothers need financial support to recover from birth and transition to their roles as parents. Women now hold important positions in the fields of education, health, and even justice — despite these being incredibly stressful jobs. Maryville University highlights women in law enforcement in particular and their crucial roles in maintaining order in society. The gender gap for critical roles in the workforce has been closing since Lola Baldwin, the first female officer in 1908, stepped up. Despite these advancements, however, the US is still the only industrialized country without paid parental leave. Many moms may hence feel pressured to resume their roles at work despite not having fully recovered from the birthing process. Before Covid-19, women would lose pregnancy Medicaid coverage 60 days after birth. This limited their access to medical treatment for depression and anxiety, which can only worsen as they subject themselves to the demands of the workforce. Hence, while federal agencies have worked toward closing the gender gap in their workforces, opportunities to do more remain. Embracing women in the workforce comes from advocating for mothers’ healthcare, including their mental health, and pushing for a better work-life balance so parents can properly care for future generations.

Severity of Perinatal Depression

After years of lobbying against the stigma of mothers’ mental health, PMADs are now recognized as a scientific spectrum of conditions that affect 15-20% of all childbearing women. As we’ve previously discussed in Maternal Mental Health, this can manifest through various symptoms: from emotional, including mood swings to a diminished interest in becoming a mother, to physical, resulting in chronic headaches and muscle tension. This can make it difficult for the mother to cope while taking care of another life, and unlike baby blues, these do not get better on their own.

Prioritizing one’s mental health is for recovery, but also prevention. It's important for mothers to recognize their predispositions to mental health problems, given the influx of hormonal changes in their bodies, and take proactive measures to prioritize their welfare.

To get started, consulting with a medical expert is the best way to determine your needs. Promoting a safe space for all moms, Repose and our team of online therapists provide individual, group, and couple sessions that focus on empowering you through mind-body literacy. By taking care of yourself, you can help secure a brighter future for your family. REACH OUT to learn more about PERINATAL THERAPY.

 By Jada Simmons Exclusively for byrepose.com