According to a recent study, more than 30% of Latinas in the U.S. and Mexico suffer perinatal or postpartum depression, making it the number one complication of pregnancy among Latinas. In an effort to raise visibility for a disease that is often dismissed, physicians from The Mount Sinai Hospital debunked the 5 most prevalent Latino myths about postpartum depression, a type of depression that affects some women after childbirth. A growing and significant audience, Hispanic Mothers accounted for approximately 24% of births nationwide and 24% in New York State. Lack of awareness, understanding and acceptance of the disease has resulted in powerful myths impacting the lives of women who are experiencing one of life's most joyous events, especially in the Latino home.
Myth # 1 – "I feel so bad. Shouldn't I be happy about my newborn? Maybe I am not a good mother."
False. It is not uncommon for women to experience temporary mood disorders or "blues" after giving birth. According to Kim Klipstein, MD, Director of Behavioral Medicine and Consultation Psychiatry at The Mount Sinai Hospital, "postpartum depression is different than "baby blues," which is a mild form of depression that occurs within a few days after childbirth and lasts up to a week." Conversely, Dr. Klipstein added, "postpartum depression typically emerges over the first 2-3 months after childbirth but may occur at any point during the first year after delivery. Symptoms may include: loss of interest or pleasure in life, loss of appetite, rapid mood swings, fear of hurting or killing oneself or one's child. These feelings can disrupt a woman's ability to function on a daily basis and make bonding with the newborn difficult. More serious symptoms associated with postpartum depression that require immediate medical attention include: lack of interest in your infant, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming your baby, hallucinations or delusions."
Myth # 2 – "My Mother says that postpartum depression has not affected the women in our family. If I speak up, they'll think I'm crazy!"
False. Although, for many Latinos, mental illness is considered shameful – a topic that shouldn't be discussed, do not let misinformation, uncertainty or shame get in the way of you getting the help you need. In Latino cultures, which have deep-rooted family values and high expectations of new moms, Hispanic women reject feelings of unhappiness during pregnancy and after the baby are born. If their own mothers never expressed negative feelings about pregnancy, they believe they must follow her example. But keep in mind that postpartum depression is a real illness and, if left untreated, it can interfere with mother-child bonding and lead to serious long term problems. According to Dr. Klipstein of The Mount Sinai Hospital, "children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, temper tantrums and hyperactivity." Dr. Klipstein concludes, "delays in language development are more common as well." READ MORE
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