I recently had the pleasure of connecting with a local new mom and therapist who is passionate about maternal mental health.
After a simple conversation with Jessica Grace, it became obvious that she’s excited about empowering and encouraging new mothers. As a new mom herself, Jessica has personal experience with the difficulties and challenges unique to motherhood. But she’s also an experienced therapist who can speak professionally on the issues that many women face as new mothers.
I had a chance to interview Jessica recently and got some new insight into motherhood and maternal health.
Brianna Bell: Hi Jessica thank you for agreeing to share a bit with Mom of the House readers. Please tell us a bit about yourself!
Jessica Grace: It’s my pleasure! I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we are raising our 11 month old daughter Emilia while both working, myself as a therapist and him as an engineer.
I came to Guelph for school from the Niagara region, and graduated with a degree in Adult Development, Families and Wellbeing, with a minor in Psychology. I’m currently completing my internship hours for my Master’s of Counseling Psychology through Yorkville University.
I work as an Intensive Behavioural Consultant, where I’ve support children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.
BB: I first connected with you because of your blog on maternal mental health, tell us a bit more about that.
JG: While I was on maternity leave I started a website on maternal mental health. It’s called Jessica Grace Blog. There is a huge need for conversation and action around this topic. I have been thrilled to interview many moms and experts on motherhood and mental health, and have been working to build a community of women who support and encourage each other.
BB: I love that you’ve started this website to encourage women. Why is postpartum health and wellbeing important to you?
JG: During my pregnancy, I had countless checkups and was assessed for various components of my physical health. Despite these appointments, my mental health wasn’t asked about. There was no routine check up to see how I was coping with the emotional changes that come with pregnancy and the postpartum period.
After having Emilia I experienced the postpartum baby blues and anxious thoughts. As someone who has worked and studied in the field of mental health, I was surprised that I was not more prepared for these feelings.
To understand my feelings more, I started to read about maternal mental health. In this research, I found out that I was not alone in my struggles transitioning to new motherhood. I was surprised to learn that one in every seven women struggle with their mental health after having a baby.
BB: Wow, this much have been such an eye opening experience for you. Did you reach out for support during this time?
JG: Yes, I did. And after reaching out for support, I started to love my new role as a mother. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I felt empowered, and excited by this new journey in life. As a professional, this journey inspired me to make sure that others don’t feel alone, or struggle in silence. This passion has turned into a website that provides widespread education and advocacy for moms, and their mental wellbeing. We want the space to be supportive, and also backed by research.
BB: Obviously you realize now that all moms will struggle to some extent in the postpartum period. Why do you think that is?
JG: To start, having a baby can cause a dramatic drop in a mother’s hormones, which can impact a woman’s mood. Drastic changes in a woman’s blood volume leaves us feeling fatigue and exhaustion. There are so many emotional factors involved in new motherhood: excitement, anxiety, and even reminders from previous traumatic experiences. All of these combined emotions can make women feel very overwhelmed.
Your lifestyle also shifts dramatically. Your new life is all about caring for your baby, and it can leave little time for yourself. Sleep deprivation has also been shown in research to be a large contributing factor to feelings of depression in new moms.
BB: Everything your saying rings so true for me, but you don’t hear people talking about this much.
JG: Exactly. There is such a lack of conversation surrounding maternal mental health. Motherhood is glamorized, thanks to Facebook and Instagram. Women are often unprepared for the realities that come along with being a new mother.
BB: What would you say then to a new mother? What can she expect for herself and her own mental health?
JG: It’s normal to feel a lack of confidence, and to have days where you feel overwhelmed. Many new moms also experience what is referred to as the “Baby Blues” following the birth of their baby. You might find you’re crying easily, feeling overwhelmed, tired, and irritable. About 80 per cent of new moms experience the baby blues, and symptoms usually resolve within two to three weeks of giving birth.
Baby Blues is not an illness or disorder, it’s a response to the changes in hormones and the transition to parenthood.
If your symptoms persist longer than two or three weeks, this may be more than the baby blues, and you should receive professional attention. If you are having scary thoughts, if you are unable to sleep even when your baby is sleeping, find yourself very angry, or find that you cannot control your moods, contact your doctor!
If your marriage is struggling, as many marriages do after having a child, reach out for help! Your mental health matters. Your relationships matter.
BB: Thank you Jessica for taking the time to share the truth about motherhood and our mental health in the postpartum period, and beyond!
You can find more information on Jessica Grace Blog.
There is also maternal mental health support available through the Guelph Community Health Centre. More information on this can be found here.
