The Hidden Struggle of New Moms: Postpartum Depression

Imagine having a beautiful new baby but feeling overwhelmed, sad, or even thinking about harming yourself. This is what postpartum depression feels like. Katherine Schiefer, a 35-year-old lawyer, was diagnosed with it after her husband noticed her suicidal thoughts. She's not alone. One in eight new moms in the U.S. go through this, but three-quarters of them don't get help. Why? Because it's still a bit of a secret. Doctors like Dr. Sarah Oreck want to change that. She says it's okay to feel a mix of joy and grief when you become a parent. But getting mental health care is tough. Insurance often doesn't cover enough, so many moms can't afford it.

Dalindra Buys, a former social worker, knows this too well. She wanted to go to Fourth Tri Sanctuary, a place where doulas take care of babies so moms can relax. But she couldn't afford it. Thanks to donations, some women like her get free care. Others, like Schiefer, pay out of pocket. It's not cheap. Buys and Schiefer both needed a lot of support. Buys had a tough time with infertility and a premature baby. Schiefer finds comfort in talking to other moms who tell her it gets better. Every time they share their stories, the stigma around postpartum depression gets a little quieter.

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