News

April 22, 2024

Rapid Survey Project Fact Sheet Examines Postpartum Parents’ Well-Being

The RAPID Survey Project, based at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, has released a new fact sheet examining how postpartum parents’ emotional well-being and physical health affect their caregiving abilities.

Learn More

The experience of having a new baby in the home is an exciting time for most families, but caring for a newborn can also be stressful, the fact sheet says. As parents navigate having to care for themselves and new family members, stress can affect their overall health and well-being. This can lead to anxiety and stress and, in turn, drive increases in children’s levels of distress.

According to the fact sheet, data showed that many parents are having positive experiences bonding with and caring for their new babies. A vast majority of them said they were interested in and enjoyed interacting with their child.

However, data also indicated that there’s more that can be done to ensure postpartum parents are connected to resources and support. Three common feelings among new parents were being tired, disorganized, and isolated, according to the fact sheet. While most of those interviewed believed they were managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet, many were not getting exercise and a majority said they were not getting enough sleep.

As a result, half of postpartum parents interviewed said their emotional well-being and physical health affected their caregiving abilities.

To compile the fact sheet, researchers sought to get a better sense of the experiences of those parenting new babies by surveying them within the first two months after their child was born.

For more information on the RAPID Survey Project’s findings and how it conducted the study, view the fact sheet.

News

September 16, 2019

Postpartum Depression Symposium

Are you interested in gaining insight on the detection and diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and on new and existing treatment options? Join Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (BHDS) on October 30 for their free Postpartum Depression Symposium!

About

Guest speakers will include experts in the field as well as a video featuring local mothers who have been impacted by perinatal depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. Resource tables will also be available. Lunch and snacks included.

    • Rebecca J. Weinberg, PsyD
      Clinical Psychologist, Allegheny Health Network
    • Dr. Priya Gopalan, MD
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine / UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital
    • Robert Gallen, PhD, IMH-E®
      Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
    • Stephanie D. Wier, LPC, NCC, BSL
      Mental Health Therapist, Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC

Co-Sponsors

Registration

To register, visit the symposium Eventbrite page!

Learn More

For questions, contact Washington County BHDS at 724.228.6832.

News

April 15, 2019

Sign-On to Support Families Impacted by Postpartum Depression

Understanding the Need

Postpartum depression can strike any new mother. Research shows that approximately 15 percent of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression. In Pennsylvania, this means about 21,000 infants and moms are affected each year.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that when a mother suffers from postpartum depression, both mothers and babies experience negative effects, including:

  • adverse effects on the baby’s brain and development,
  • increased danger of child abuse and neglect, and
  • increased medical care costs.

Will you sign-on to support Pennsylvania’s mothers and infants?

What is #StrongMomStrongBaby?

#StrongMomStrongBaby is a statewide effort to amend the existing early intervention law (Act 212 of 1990) to add postpartum depression as an at-risk condition allowing infants to undergo assessments, parents to receive assistance in bonding with their babies, and if needed, Early Intervention services to ensure moms and babies have the best start together.

To learn more and stay up-to-date, follow the campaign’s Facebook page.

Take Action

Show your support for Pennsylvania’s mothers and infants by adding your name to the #StrongMomStrongBaby petition.