ORLANDO, Fla. – According to the CDC, suicide and overdose are some of the leading causes of death for women in the first year following pregnancy. This staggering statistic highlights the critical importance of maternal mental health care and awareness. The U.S. and Florida have a “D+” grade when it comes to adequate maternal mental health care and preterm births and the two issues have a connection. *
News 6 Anchor Bridgett Ellison talked to a licensed therapist who specializes in maternal mental health.
Every year, maternal mental health conditions affect approximately 800,000 families in the U.S., yet 75% of women impacted remain untreated.* One local doctor is dedicated to changing this narrative by providing essential help and resources to save lives.
Closing the Gap in Maternal Mental Health Care
Dr. Shaenor Ishmael, a maternal mental health therapist at Inspired Counseling Center, who goes by “Dr. Shaenor,” says her personal journey helped instill even stronger inspiration for her practice.
“Just the impact of sitting in a NICU for a hundred days definitely took an impact on my overall mental health. It’s honestly the passion that I have behind maternal mental health,” Dr. Shaenor said.
As a licensed therapist with insight from her own motherhood journey, she’s more dedicated than ever to supporting women on the entire journey: before, during, and after pregnancy.
“I realized there was a gap in the resources that were needed for women as they navigated this period,” she said.
Understanding Maternal Mental Health Conditions
Research has shown various life stressors and family history can have an impact on human physical and mental health. Doctors urge patients to stay current on their checkups before starting families to avoid the risks of unknown conditions going into prenatal care. Part of this strategy is finding out about your family health history or predispositions for certain health conditions like diabetes, hypertension and even mental health risk ahead of pregnancy.*
Research also shows some health conditions develop or trigger during and even after pregnancy. Any combination of these stressors and history can play a part in triggering maternal mental health conditions. Health researchers say awareness about the prenatal components of maternal mental health are increasing, which can help make a stronger foundation and healthier path for mother and baby.*
“It plays a major role in the overall perinatal period, which is why it’s so important to address it, acknowledge it, and be proactive in preventing the development of symptoms,” Dr. Shaenor said.
Breaking Mental Health Stigma: Normalizing Conversations and Care
One significant barrier to care is the stigma surrounding mental health and a lack of awareness. Dr. Shaenor says more people should speak up and use their voices to normalize talking about mental health, understanding the different conditions, and seeking help. For example, one common, but dangerous misconception is confusing postpartum depression with the “baby blues.” Mistaken interpretations or dismissive attitudes can lead to people missing out on treatment they may need.
“Eighty percent of individuals experience baby blues in the postpartum period, which should start to wane around the four to six-week mark. If you’re still experiencing extreme sadness, crying more days than not, or withdrawing from loved ones, these are red flags that should prompt a consultation with a mental health professional,” Dr. Shaenor said.
The Spectrum of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Dr. Shaenor stresses the importance of understanding the wide variety of conditions that fall under perinatal or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs):
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder (including psychosis, a medical emergency)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Perinatal ADHD
“There is a broad span of diagnoses that could arise during the perinatal period, which is why it’s crucial to highlight potential symptoms and be aware of how these conditions can present,” Dr. Shaenor said.
Ongoing Treatment Before, During and After Pregnancy
Dr. Shaenor also notes, expectant mothers who were taking antidepressants before pregnancy often worry about how risks involved with the medicine during pregnancy. There are medicines with less risk than others, so many are able to continue prescription treatments during and after pregnancy with the guidance of their doctors.*
Dr. Shaenor encourages open communication between patients and healthcare providers about needs and concerns to find the safest options tailored to each patient.
*More resources on maternal mental health:
