PPSC: Postpartum Support Center

Women face unique physiological demands from pregnancy, through giving birth, and recovery, while also typically doing most of the child-rearing and housework. New moms run an increased risk of developing Postpartum Depression and Anxiety through exposure to chronic stress, decreased social support, and fast pace of modern life. 

​

Many women enter motherhood without a support system set in place.

Developmental scientists consider parenthood one of the biggest transitions in life—one that changes the brains, endocrine systems, behaviors, identities, relationships, and more of all people involved. Without support, relationships can be strained to the brink, and depression and/or anxiety can set in.

The effects of Perinatal Mood Disorders are wide-reaching. They affect the mother, partner, child, extended family, workplace, community, etc. Postpartum Mood Disorders can have a ripple effect on society in addition to their effects on the parent, who is often suffering in isolation and often without information, resources, understanding or help. Some of the societal impacts of PMDs include:

​

• Breakdowns in marriages/relationships

• Family conflicts

• Interruption of attachment between parent and child.

​​

Studies show that when a child is exposed to conflict in the home a range of issues can result later on including drug/alcohol addiction, learning difficulties, mental illness, suicide, and delinquency.

Fatherhood is a time of major adjustment in many different ways – identity, responsibilities, routines, and relationships all change.  This adjustment period brings stress which, when it builds up, can put dad's mental health at risk.  

​

Since men don’t experience all the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth, they may not begin to really feel like a dad until after the baby’s birth.  This can be especially true if they are in a same-sex relationship, using a surrogate or adopting. 

​

Often, men feel like they don’t ‘fit in’ with the pregnancy experience, given that so much of the attention is focused on the mom.  This can be a real struggle for dads, leaving some men feeling left out of the experience.