Latest ACOG article on depression during pregnancy

You are not alone 


Having a birth and/or postpartum doula with personal and professional experience in perinatal mental health might be helpful if you are currently, or have had, mental health concerns, or previous trauma. My greatest passion as a birth professional lies in offering women an informed perinatal mental health advocate as a birth and postpartum doula. 

Professional Qualifications:
I hold a Masters of Clinical Psychology from Antioch University/Seattle in Couples and Family Therapy. I currently sit on the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force. I was the Co-Coordinator for Southern California chapter of Postpartum Support International, and provided warm-line phone support. I maintain professional training and continuing education in the area of perinatal mental health. Click here to see recent and upcoming trainings.

Practice Note: While I have professional experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I do not practice as one; and I don't play one on TV. I don't want to be a therapist; I want to be an informed doula. 

Personal Story: Click here to read about my experience with PPD. 

As a birth doula, I provide confidential, non-clinical support geared specifically for you and your birth.
Referrals to support groups, mental health practitioners, and physicians who specialize in perinatal mental health are given by request.  I work directly with you to develop an appropriate birth plan and strategies for pain management and birthing choices. I in no way force any agenda regarding pain management in labor, and offer reassurance that your informed choices are the best for you and your baby.

I provide constant emotional and physical support, while constantly advocating for your choices requests regarding pain management, privacy, contact with staff, and immediate postpartum care. If you find that getting extra rest by utilizing the nurses on the maternity ward during the first few hours postpartum, we will work to make it happen. If you choose to not breastfeed, we will work toward helping you feel good about that choice. If you are on medication for depression or anxiety, we will work to follow your doctor's instruction and maintain your care.  

As a postpartum doula, I advocate for your needs regarding physical recovery, breastfeeding, and infant care, while offering newborn care while you sleep, light housework, and cooking. I work with you and your family to put in place support strategies for the first few weeks and months following delivery. And, I have a pretty good sense of humor and as the mom of two, can clean and do laundry with the best of them!

Depression FAQs 
The following evidence-based facts are extracted from the 2009 LA Best Babies Network Landscape Report. Individual research citations for each fact can be found at www.lacountyperinatalmentalhealth.org.
* 50% of women experiencing postpartum depression are never treated
* Suicide is the leading cause of death for women during the first year after childbirth
* Depression leads to increased birth complications such as low birth weight, and preterm delivery
*New mothers are especially vulnerable to depression 
*(Untreated) maternal depression affects the different stages of a child's development: in utero, during the infant's bonding stage, and during the toddler years and has been shown to adversely affect the health of the baby long after infancy.
* Hormones emitted from anxious mothers cross the placenta and can affect the baby, resulting in jittery and irritable newborns, and lasting up to six months after delivery.
* Treatment and works; ignoring it doesn't.