The stats around feeling supported by your medical professionals post-partum really resonated with me. It boggles my mind that my baby had a pediatrician as soon as 2 days after birth but I had... no one...? My OBGYN, who is very good, is an OBGYN. They dont deal with the mental and non-gynecological physical changes a human undergoes after giving birth. The gap was so stark and it was visible part of the lack-of-support iceberg.
As a pediatrician, I see this in action, every day, with my newborn patients’ families. We see the newborn so frequently in their 1st month and I always always ask the parent(s) how they are doing, and the overwhelm is immense. I’m sure folks don’t even share their whole picture w me, bc I’m their child’s healthcare provider. We 100% need better support for families, full stop, but esp families of the youngest babes.
Pretty sure there’s a lot of nature involved in that. Basic instinct to care for newborn at the peril of one’s own health.
I also think there is a lot of the US healthcare system in that. In France you get midwives/nurses/physio routinely etc post partum along with check ups with your primary care doctor.
The stats around feeling supported by your medical professionals post-partum really resonated with me. It boggles my mind that my baby had a pediatrician as soon as 2 days after birth but I had... no one...? My OBGYN, who is very good, is an OBGYN. They dont deal with the mental and non-gynecological physical changes a human undergoes after giving birth. The gap was so stark and it was visible part of the lack-of-support iceberg.
As a pediatrician, I see this in action, every day, with my newborn patients’ families. We see the newborn so frequently in their 1st month and I always always ask the parent(s) how they are doing, and the overwhelm is immense. I’m sure folks don’t even share their whole picture w me, bc I’m their child’s healthcare provider. We 100% need better support for families, full stop, but esp families of the youngest babes.
Thank you so much for this... I was just working on something about the loneliness of the new mother... and this is really interesting data.
Pretty sure there’s a lot of nature involved in that. Basic instinct to care for newborn at the peril of one’s own health.
I also think there is a lot of the US healthcare system in that. In France you get midwives/nurses/physio routinely etc post partum along with check ups with your primary care doctor.
I wish the phrase "baby blues" didn't exist. It sounds so cutesy and minor.
Thank you for sharing this data. Every time I see data like this I get more energized for advocacy as we must do better for our new moms!