Post partum depression is real and it can happen to anyone; it is multi factorial and complex.
Florence Leung’s death is a tragic example of how isolating the pressures of new motherhood can be and the toll they can take on a woman.
Having a baby is many things including a time of judgment and scrutiny. This is a time when a women and family need genuine help, love and support. Often though, every decision a new mom makes is greeted with glaring stares, outright criticism and a disregard of the fact that she may be hanging by the fragile thread of uncompromising love for her new child.
‘The stars have to align for [breastfeeding] to be the right decision for the woman,’ says Dr. Unjali Malhotra
How do we prevent a tragedy and honour Florence’s life? We start supporting each other and becoming educated about the realities of the strength of women when supported. We become educated about the post partum period and in this case, feeding.
Please, if you are struggling reach out, know your love is enough for your baby and know you are this child’s mom and they are not judging you, just loving you.
To breastfeed or not to breastfeed?
The sometimes contentious debate usually favours those on the pro-breastfeeding side, but some health providers now say people should be more understanding of all mothers.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists released new guidelines in 2014 encouraging its members to support mothers whether or not they decide to breastfeed.
One women’s health specialist agrees, saying there are many reasons why some mothers give their babies formula instead.
“In the end, yes of course we want people to breastfeed, but the stars have to align for it to be the right decision for the woman,” said Dr. Unjali Malhotra, program director of a women’s health residency training program at UBC.
Please click the link below for more information from Dr. Malhotra on post partum depression.
Contributing writer:
Dr Unjali Malhotra
Program Director, Women’s Health Residency Program UBC
Chair, Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health
CCFP Women’s Health FCFP MBBch, BAO, LRCS(P)I Dip IPHC NCMP NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner
Clinical Instructor, University of British Columbia
gracefulvitality.ca
