June 29, 2008
Maternity blues as a predictor of DSM-IV depression and anxiety in the first three months postpartum
Based on our predominantly middle class low-risk sample, maternity blues prevalence may be underestimated.
Read more in J of Affective Disorders
Ever-shrinking maternity/paternity leaves
Only 16% of employers offer full pay for childbirth leave, down from 27% in 1998, based on a nationally representative sample of 1,100 employers by the nonprofit Families and Work Institute. The average maximum length of job-guaranteed leaves for new mothers shrank too, to 15.2 weeks from 16.1 weeks a decade ago; leave for dads fell to 12.6 weeks from 13.1.
Daddies Go Digital With New Social Networks, Dads Have Sites to Call Their Own
Several social networking sites just for fathers have recently caught the attention of eager daddies across the country, researchers say. Sites such as www.dadosphere.com, www.justdaddys.net and www.discoveringdad.net offer fathers the opportunity to connect with each other and blog on issues such as handling their wives’ postpartum depression.
Alleged murder-suicide attempt could be example of postpartum ailment dangers that can last years
Psychologists say about one in 1,000 new mothers suffer from a potentially severe condition known as postpartum depression, something investigators said might have affected Moulder.
Read more in the Beaumont Enterprise
Shining a light after tragedy follows birth
Almost immediately after the infanticide the Bankston’s family decided to create a nonprofit organization, Jenny’s Light, to raise awareness about perinatal mood disorders - depression, psychosis and other mental problems that develop during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth. The goal is to help other suffering mothers move out of darkness and into light.
Read more in the Birmingham News
Brooke Shields publishes first children’s book
Brooke Shields, who will publish her first children’s book on Tuesday, said writing the 145-word story was more difficult than recording her struggle with postpartum depression.
For more information read Yahoo News
Depression may be next battle for teen moms
Last week, Britney Spears’ 17-year old sister gave birth to a girl named Maddie, and the country was shocked to learn of an alleged pregnancy pact among girls in a Massachusetts high school. Rearing babies isn’t the only difficulty young mothers face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen moms have a higher than usual risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD).
For more information read NY Daily News
Postpartum mothers should avoid tilefish, king mackerel, swordfish and shark
Families on the go looking for a quick, affordable and nutrient-packed meal are hooked on tuna. No longer restricted to casseroles or plain sandwiches, canned tuna can make a great warm-weather meal, whether it’s part of a traditional tuna salad, eaten as a spread or even over pasta for a light and delicious lunch.
For more information read Nutrition News and Quotes
June 11, 2008
Downsizing Maternity Leave: Employers Cut Pay, Time Off
Employers are cutting back on post-childbirth pay for mothers and offering shorter leaves, on average, for both moms and dads, compared with a decade ago. This comes despite research showing attentive nurturing has particular developmental power in a baby’s first year, and that longer leaves can ease postpartum depression in some mothers. The pattern heightens the need for parents to plan carefully for time off post-childbirth.
For more information go to the Wall Street Journal
WellPoint providing ‘tool kits’ to assist new mothers
Health benefits provider WellPoint announced Tuesday that it is making special tool kits available to obstetricians and pediatricians that are designed to help them detect and treat postpartum depression. This is part of a broader move by the company to expand its maternity depression program to aid in depression screening, education and support.
For more information see the Indianapolis Star