May is Maternal Mental Health Month: You Are Not Alone
📊 Key Statistics on Maternal Mental Health
• 1 in 5 women will experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD), such as postpartum depression or anxiety.
• When including less commonly reported disorders (like postpartum OCD or PTSD), it’s estimated that up to 1 in 3 women are affected.
• 70%–80% of new mothers experience the baby blues, a short-term emotional dip that usually resolves within 2 weeks.
• Only 15% of women who experience postpartum mental health issues ever receive professional treatment.
• PMADs can occur anytime during pregnancy and up to a year or more postpartum.
• Postpartum depression does not only affect birth parents — 1 in 10 non-birthing partners (like fathers or adoptive parents) may also experience depression or anxiety in the postpartum period.
• The CDC reports that mental health conditions are a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States.
• PMADs are treatable — with proper support and care, most people recover fully.
Every May, we recognize Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, break the stigma, and uplift the voices of those who are navigating the emotional highs and lows of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
As a twin mom and IBCLC supporting families in the Monadnock Region, I know firsthand that while motherhood can be beautiful, it can also be incredibly overwhelming. Some experience anxiety, depression, rage, intrusive thoughts, or simply feeling like you’ve lost yourself — these are not signs of weakness. They are signs that you deserve care and support.
You are not alone. Help is available, and healing is possible.
Whether you're pregnant, newly postpartum, or months (even years) into parenthood, your mental health matters. Let’s continue to normalize asking for help.
Recognizing the Signs: Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Mental Health Disorders
Baby Blues:
Mood swings
Tearfulness or crying spells
Anxiety or irritability
Trouble sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling overwhelmed
These symptoms typically begin within the first few days after birth and may last up to two weeks. Baby blues are common and usually resolve without medical treatment.
Warning Signs of Postpartum Mental Health Disorders (including Postpartum Depression and Anxiety):
Symptoms lasting longer than two weeks
Persistent sadness or hopelessness
Excessive worry or anxiety
Irritability or anger
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Intrusive or disturbing thoughts
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others
Changes in appetite or sleep (beyond normal newborn disruptions)
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it's important to seek help. These conditions are treatable and support is available.
💡 Key Facts About Maternal Mental Health & Multiples:
Mothers of twins are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience postpartum depression than mothers of singletons (according to several studies, including those published in Pediatrics and the Journal of Women’s Health).
Contributing factors include:
• Physical recovery from twin pregnancies and birth (which often involves complications or cesarean)
• Sleep deprivation and exhaustion from caring for more than one infant
• Increased demands of feeding, whether breastfeeding, pumping, or bottle-feeding
• NICU stays, which are more common with multiples and can be emotionally traumatic
• Feelings of isolation or overwhelm, especially if support systems are limited
• Anxiety and depression symptoms often go unrecognized in twin moms, who may normalize extreme fatigue or stress.
Local Resources for Maternal Mental Health Support
(Keene, NH & Surrounding Areas)
1. Monadnock Family Services (MFS)
Mental health counseling and family support services
📍64 Main St, Keene, NH 03431
📞 (603) 357-4400
🌐 www.mfs.org
2. Cheshire Medical Center – Behavioral Health Services
Support for perinatal mood disorders and referrals
📍580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431
📞 (603) 354-5400
🌐 www.cheshiremed.org
3. The River Center: Family and Community Resource Center
Free support groups and family resources
📍9 Vose Farm Rd Suite 115, Peterborough, NH
📞 (603) 924-6800
🌐 www.rivercenternh.org
4. Postpartum Support International (PSI) – NH Chapter
Free help line, virtual support groups, and local providers
📞 Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (Text "HELP" to 800-944-4773)
🌐 www.postpartum.net
5. Monadnock Birth Collective (Keene, NH)
Local professionals offering birth & postpartum services, including mental health referrals
🌐 www.monadnockbirthcollective.com
If you or someone you love is struggling, know that support is just a phone call or message away. Reach out, speak up, and remind yourself that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
With care and compassion,
Ashley Norris, IBCLC, CD(DONA), CCCE
Monadnock Perinatal, LLC
www.monadnockperinatal.com
