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Kira Bartlett PsyD

05/29/2025

From The New York Times: “The mental health of mothers in the U.S. declined significantly from 2016 to 2023, according to a large new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Tuesday.
The percentage of mothers who rated their mental health as “excellent” dropped sharply during the study period. At the same time, the percentage of mothers who said their mental health was poor increased — particularly among those who were single parents, or whose children had Medicaid or were uninsured.
The findings come at a fraught moment in the national conversation around parenting and declining birthrates. The Trump administration is said to be weighing strategies to persuade more Americans to get married and have children. But the new findings raise concerns about the impact of parenting on American mothers’ mental well-being.”
The study did not address why maternal mental health seems to be on the decline, but we have some theories.
Could it be…
▪️No mandated parental leave
▪️Lack of focus on the postpartum period
▪️Patriarchal society that believes women must do the bulk of the child rearing
▪️Expensive child care
▪️Ever rising cost of living that demands a 2-salary household
▪️The idea of the village or community going by the wayside
▪️Stagnant or unlivable wages
▪️Bodily autonomy being stripped away
▪️Federal funding for maternal health programs ceasing
Do they really wonder why the birthrate is declining? At what point is enough… enough? How many studies must be done before moms and parents get real help?

05/28/2025

How do you know if it’s baby blues vs postpartum depression?
Baby blues are common, mild, and temporary mood changes experienced by many new mothers shortly after childbirth. It’s very common for women to have times of highs and lows or to feel “blue” after having a baby. These feelings usually start 2-3 days after birth and can come and go. New mothers may experience feelings of worry, unhappiness, and fatigue. These feelings typically get better within a few weeks.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is a more serious and persistent mood disorder that can develop during the first year after childbirth, often with more intense and prolonged symptoms. It interferes with mom’s ability to care for herself and her family. Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may require treatment.

05/27/2025

Don’t forget the smile. And the enjoying every minute because it goes by so fast while I navigate this ish basically on my own 😏

05/22/2025

from .nurse.mama
・・・
It’s truly unbelievable the way in which some of us enter into this thing called motherhood. It’s scary at times, and being left alone with a hurting body and a new little person is FRIGHTENING!!⁠
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You need community. ⁠
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Accept help when offered.⁠
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Trust your instincts.⁠
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Reach out for help. ⁠
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Get help early, don’t wait, and think that you can just deal. GET HELP!!⁠

05/20/2025

Postpartum depression can begin any time after childbirth and can last for months, and in some cases, years.
While many women experience symptoms within the first few weeks after delivery, it's also possible to develop symptoms later, up to a year after birth. Some studies have shown women are susceptible for as many as 3 years after childbirth.
Since some women don’t experience symptoms for several months after childbirth, it can make it harder to recognize the condition.
However, it is never too late to ask for and receive help. If you’re experiencing symptoms long after the suggested window of time, do not be afraid to speak up!
📸:

05/19/2025

This. Repeat to yourself again and again.

You did nothing to cause this and certainly did nothing to deserve what you are going through.
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Don’t focus on what could have happened differently. Instead focus on getting better.
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You deserve to be healthy and happy. And your baby deserves a happy and healthy mama. 💕

05/15/2025

Postpartum is a very sensitive and vulnerable time for new moms. It’s also a time where the focus is on the baby and mom’s recovery, leaving little room for anything else, especially intimacy.
Despite that, however, there are ways in which partners can step up to the plate and show moms how much they’re loved and adored.
Saying kind words and completing daily tasks go a long way toward making moms feel loved, seen, appreciated, and safe ❤️

05/14/2025

Social media is not real. It’s curated. It only shows glimpses. Only the top highlights. So there’s no need for comparison.

You’re on your own journey so take care of yourself and enjoy the ride.

📸:

05/13/2025

Absolutely! Is it really any wonder why moms feel so unprepared for their postpartum experience?
There’s so much focus on the pregnancy. The maternity clothes. The baby shower. The vast number of prenatal appointments. The way society treats expectant mothers with care and grace.
And, once baby is born? All of that is gone.
No more parties. Maybe 1-2 postnatal medical appointments. No options for fashionable postpartum clothing. Society telling us to bounce back or start working again. No federally-mandated paid parental leave.
Postpartum can be a lovely time. A time to bond while you rest and recover. That can be true with help, support, and planning. But we first need to talk about it. Talk about what to expect and we can best prepare ourselves for what happens once baby is here.

05/12/2025

Why do we talk about it? Why do we have an awareness week and month? It’s not to scare you. It’s to open the dialogue. It’s to educate. It’s to help those that are suffering. It’s to make others feel less alone.

It’s to highlight that maternal mental health is important. It’s to advocate on behalf of all moms so that we can get support systems in place at all levels in order to help future generations.

🎥: The Blue Dot Project

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