Calling all New Moms! Are You Aware of PMADs?

Becoming a mom is often portrayed as a joyful experience, but the reality can be quite different.

By Ashley Guidry, Communications Associate

Pregnancy and early motherhood naturally come with their share of worries – after all, no one said it was easy. The journey to becoming a new mom is packed with challenges that can impact your experience. While postpartum depression affects about 15% of women, postpartum challenges can extend beyond depression.

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a group of disorders that can occur during pregnancy and the first 12 months postpartum. These disorders often go untreated causing complications for mothers, babies and families. Nearly one in five moms experience some form of PMAD during this crucial period.

PMAD should not be confused with the Baby Blues. “Baby Blues” involve mild mood swings that affect nearly 80% of women, beginning a few days postpartum and lasting up to three weeks. PMADs are more intense mood disorders that, persist longer than three weeks, and can start at any point during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth.

Lesser-Known PMADs:

Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the most underrecognized PMAD affecting about five percent of new mothers. This type of OCD can develop during pregnancy, immediately after childbirth or within four to six weeks postpartum. OCD is a mental condition involving intrusive thoughts or urges (obsessions) and mental or physical acts performed to alleviate those urges (compulsions). This condition can lead to unintentional harm.

Legacy Psychiatrist, Dr. Chad Lemaire explains that, “many women experiencing postpartum OCD are very disturbed by intrusive recurrent rumination about harming their baby, but they do not want to harm their baby – quite the opposite. They often fear that they will do something to inadvertently hurt their baby, and they are usually quite anxious about that, sometimes leading to avoiding being alone with or caring for the baby.”

Postpartum Anxiety has physical symptoms such as chest pain, head and stomach aches, dizziness or a racing heart. Approximately six percent of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women develop anxiety. Panic attacks are similar but include shortness of breath, shaking or sweating.

Postpartum Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs in approximately one to six percent of pregnant and postpartum women. This condition is triggered by trauma during or after childbirth. An unplanned C-section, a NICU baby, and feeling powerless during delivery are only a few examples. Other causes include an unexpected hysterectomy, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Postpartum Bipolar Mood Disorder (BPD) happens to approximately three percent of pregnant and postpartum women. Research suggests a bipolar mood disorder places women at a much higher risk for postpartum psychosis.

Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) is extremely rare, occurring in about one to two out of every 1,000 deliveries. Symptoms are sudden beginning within the first two weeks after delivery. The main symptom is hallucinations, which are not symptoms of other PMADs. PPP moms can also develop delusions, paranoia and mood swings.

Untreated PMADs have significant effects not only on the mom but the whole family. If not diagnosed in time, these conditions can disrupt baby bonding, delay infant development and cause family conflicts. In severe cases, they can lead to suicide or infanticide. A history of mental illness can also increase the risk of developing a PMAD, so partners and families should watch for any unusual signs because nothing is more important than the safety of a newborn and its mother.

“I’ve seen many women who were fearful of seeking help because they were worried they would be sent to a psychiatric hospital or taken away from their baby,” states Dr. Lemaire. “While that can happen when needed, it is very rare and only done if it is a truly emergent situation, such as having concern about the mother harming herself or her baby.”

Early treatment is essential for these lifelong conditions to prevent neglect and strengthen the mother-baby bond. Therapy is different for everyone; treatment should be formed around specific needs. Pay attention to your moods and how your body is affected.

Here are more resources available to use:

• Postpartum Support International (PSI).
• The Health Resources and Services Administration has a National Maternal Mental Health Hotlinein English and Spanish.
• The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-833-943-5746for free, confidential support.
• UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School offers a list of postpartum mental health resources here.
• Anyone who reached a mental health crisis can call the 988 Lifeline.

Recognizing there is a problem is the first step to finding a solution. You are not alone in this journey. Seeking help is often the best solution for you and your baby.