Interview with Therapist Hellen McDonald
Co-Facilitator of Baby Bootstrap
Q. How does a mother’s depression affect her family?
A. The best way for me to explain this is by giving an example. Imagine a baby looking
for acknowledgement, or attention because he/she is hungry, wet, upset or whatever
and mom is so depressed or anxious or tired or irritable that she cannot/does not
respond to baby. Studies have shown that children may show developmental delays if
they have grown up in a home with a depressed mom (or dad). Moments of joy and fun
can be minimized in such households and children can grow up to mimic the
depressed affect or behavior even.

Q. What can a women’s family do to help her with her depression?  
A. Provide lots of support and encouragement, ask the mom what she needs help with,
tell her that she will feel like herself again, help her with taking care of the baby or
other children in the home, encourage her to rest and get out of the house or take
breaks from child care, even for short periods of time. Access the local resources that
are available in Champaign county specifically for these sorts of challenges such as
the Crisis Nursery, a qualified psychotherapist, a supportive doula. Of course, always
talk with the physician for more input and appropriate medical interventions if needed.  
Do not tell the new mom that she just needs to “shake it off” or that she just needs to
“get over it.”

Q. If a woman is pregnant and worrying about getting postpartum depression,
is there anything she can do to prevent it?  
A. Just like any birth story, you have to “go with the flow” and flex along the way. A
pregnant woman may be predisposed to all the risk factors mentioned above and not
experience PPD. Just like I tell my clients who are worried about something that is
beyond their control: take good, holistic care of yourself, eat right, exercise, rest,
practice good relaxation, keep lines of communication open in meaningful
relationships, and whatever comes your way will be handled.

Q. If a woman is depressed, why wouldn’t she ask for help?  
A. Depression is an ornery critter.  It is capable of de-motivating the most motivated
person; it can scare a person to a point of hiding in their room; it can deflate self-
esteem until it hits rock bottom and magnify the smallest of issues to a point of no
return. Depression has been known to slow recovery for post-surgery individuals and
interfere with bonding and relationship strengthening between mother and child. In
addition, the media has given so much negative attention to PPD that most moms may
tend to think that if they tell their doctor or someone else that they might be
depressed, that they may be perceived as wanting to hurt their baby OR society has
placed such high expectations on new moms, to be happy and nurturing and to “grin
and bear it,” that a lot of guilt and fear is attached to admitting depression during
pregnancy or postpartum.

Q. What would you tell a woman who is wondering if she has postpartum
depression?  
A. This is a difficult time that you are going through. Know that you are not alone and
that you will feel better eventually. You have a wide variety of treatment options that
you may choose from. Although some include medications, support groups,
psychotherapy, doula services or a slue of alternative remedies, you do have a say
and in time you WILL FEEL LIKE YOURSELF AGAIN!

Baby Bootstraps meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at Family Service, 405
S. State St., Champaign, IL 61820.  For more information, call  217-378-8575 or visit
the website www.ppdchampaign.com/support.htm.