Banishing the 'Baby Blues'...

Science and therapy have finally caught up with a devastating illness that has plagued new mothers throughout history. Finally new treatment methods have evolved to comfort new Moms and help soothe away those 'baby blues'. Through a partnership between Old Mill Center and the Home Health Department of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center a "Baby Blues" group is beginning in Benton County.

The main objectives of this support group are to alleviate symptoms of depression in new mothers, improve coping skills, and support a healthy attachment with their baby. The group will have a psycho-educational format and will focus on teaching new mothers ways to improve their mood and manage stress. Mothers will also learn positive ways to interact with their baby that support a healthy attachment. Presently there are no groups in Benton County, which focus on coping with postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression has serious effects on both mother and baby as it impacts the relationship that a mother has with her baby. New mothers may have difficulty caring for themselves and their baby while a mother's depression can threaten her ability to bond or attach with her baby. An unhealthy attachment can impact the social and emotional health of the infant and lead to later emotional difficulties in early childhood.

The "Baby Blues" or mild and short-term symptoms occur in 70-80% of all new mothers. Mothers may experience the baby blues for a week or two after giving birth. While the group will be open to women experiencing the baby blues, it will also target women with postpartum depression, which entails more serious or long term symptoms. 10-20% of women suffer from post-partum depression after giving birth. Postpartum depression lasts for longer than two weeks and involves symptoms such as frequent crying, mood swings, lack of interest in the baby, exhaustion and sleep and appetite disturbances not related to care of the baby.

The Benton County Baby Blues group will be 10 sessions long and listed in the Linn Benton Community College catalog. The group will be offered 4 times a year with a new group starting each term. Women with babies up to age 2 years, who are experiencing symptoms of depression or are at risk for postpartum depression, will be recruited for the group.

While Old Mill Center for Children and Families will provide staff and coordination for this project, the group will be offered in collaboration with the Home Health Department of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Family Resource Center at Linn Benton Community College, Maternal/Child Health Program at Benton County Health Department, and Benton County Healthy Start. All of the collaborators will advertise the group to their clients and provide referrals to the group. Collaborators will also provide consultation to the project.