How to Talk to a Mom (About Postpartum Depression or Anxiety)

In April of 2018 the Association of Certified Nurse Midwives held a symposium at George Washington University Hospital. The event drew a diverse group of professionals, from Certified Nurse Midwives who work labor and delivery, or even in private practice at birth centers or attending homebirths, MD’s, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and a handful of non-medical professionals, including doulas from Doulas of Capitol Hill and our sister agency, Doulas of Prince George’s County.

Of the many topics and guest speakers at the symposium, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin came to speak from her expertise in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD’S). Dr. Lakshmin is a board certified psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health and reproductive psychiatry.

Today on the blog we share this list of questions Dr. Lakshmin included in her talk because we feel that one of the most challenging barriers a new mom can have toward getting mental health attention is that those people nearest to her don’t know what to say or how to talk about it. Breaking the stigma around mental health can start by asking any one of these questions.

For more resources and tips on supporting someone you think may be experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder, please check out Doulas of Capitol Hill Resource Guide.