In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with my amazing friend and co-chair of the Kalamazoo Perinatal Mood Disorders Coalition, alongside myself, Kristina Ledlow ICCE, CD, CPD. After two very challenging pregnancies and postpartum periods, Kristina became especially passionate about educating families and other healthcare professionals about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Kristina holds certifications as a Childbirth Educator, Birth Doula and Postpartum Doula in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She also works for OB-GYN, P.C. as their Patient Educator, and teaches classes for Bronson Methodist Hospital.
Let’s dive into Kristina’s story and expertise so that, whether you are in pediatrics, a parent, or someone who knows a parent, you can be well equipped to help moms or even yourself get connected and be okay.
[00:01 – 07:50] Opening Segment
- Introducing today’s guest and my friend, Kristina Ledlow, and what we will be talking about
- Certified in Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- Doula
- Patient educator
- Kristina talks a bit of journey to expertise in PMAD and prevention
- Severe depression and anxiety during two births
- Several Risk factors going into both pregnancies
- Manifested OCD tendencies
- Connected with a therapist and put on medication
- Went into childbirth education and perinatal mood disorders
[07:51 – 12:44] The Effects of PMAD
- I talk about my shared experience with postpartum depression
- Kristina talks about the impact on partners and babies
- Mothers mood affects everyone
- Losing function
- 1 in 5 moms affected, 1 in 10 dads affected
- Dad’s can also break down from the stress and exhaustion
- Each baby comes with their own personality and challenges
[12:45 – 25:30] Ask Mom’s if They’re Ok
- Screening moms during pregnancy and postpartum
- Worry of opening a pandora’s box
- Kristina talks about the importance of asking
- Using the Edinburgh tool
- Negative hormones in the mom affect the baby during pregnancy
- Social workers and network to work with patients
- Asking is therapeutic
- You’re not crazy, this happens, let me get you connected
- PMAD Virtual Care
- Get them connected
- Have a plan
- We need to get moms connected to the right people
- Use Postpartum Support International and get a coordinator involved
- 94% of moms have ‘scary thought’
- 1: OCD thoughts
- 2: Postpartum psychosis (rare but dangerous)
- Believing the thoughts to be true and acting on it
- It’s common to feel like this, it’s ok and there is help
- Putting strategies in place
- Getting good sleep by chunking
[25:31 – 34:46] Practical Advice and Actions to Face PMAD
- These disorders can last up to two years
- The strongest moms can feel like a failure
- Postpartumstress Instagram
- Don’t tie your self worth to social media
- It’s ok to feel the way you do
- Kristina shares self care tips
- Reach out and ask for help
- Support is key
- Ask: how can I help?
- Mom’s Bloom mom to mom support
- Write Post-It’s that are ready for people to read for help
- I talk about other options
- Reach out to medical contact
- Research safe medications
- Specialized therapy
- Kristina talks a bit more about her work and support group
- Edinburgh and risk assessment quizzes
- Assess if they need support and other resources
- Capability of letting moms support other moms
- Virtual attendance during Covid-19
- Kristina talks about her work with Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color
[34:47 – 43:38] Closing Segment
- Ways to reach out
- PSI conferences can inform and educate you
- We all have risk factors even as physicians
- Kristina talks about her work with Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color
- Working to get them support for every step of the way
- Addressing moms’ need and struggles also saves the baby
- Prevention from Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE)
- One wish to ask for to make things better, what would it be?
- Support – support can move mountains
- For every mom to know, ‘You are champion of the world’
- Final words
- Final takeaways from me
- PMAD is common, 1 in 5 moms, 1 in 10 dads
- Psychosis is rare but real
- Moms need sleep and support
- It’s our job to ask if moms are okay
- We can help by connecting them to resources, not necessarily treating
- We can impact babies by making sure moms are okay
Tweetable Quotes:
“When Mom is not okay, nobody is okay. When Mom is not okay, the baby is not okay…” – Kristina Ledlow
“ If Mom is not feeling like she is up to the standards that we put on as a society… You can’t function properly, and if you can’t function properly, how can you be, as so many mothers are, the hearts of their family?” – Kristina Ledlow
“You don’t have to be the one to treat the patient, you just have to get them to where they can have help.” – Dr. Lia Gaggino
Resources Mentioned:
Books
- Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- This Isn’t What I Expected
- Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
- Moods in Motion: A Coloring and Healing Book for Postpartum Moms
Advanced Books
Associated Links
- Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color
- The Postpartum Stress Center
- Postpartum Support International
- Mom’s Bloom
- Edinburgh tool
If you’d like to know connect with Kristina you can find her on LinkedIn. Visit http://www.kristinaledlowdoula.com/ to learn more about her and her amazing work. You can also contact her at [email protected]
If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me at LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter or email me at [email protected] . To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/
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