PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The birth of a baby is supposed to be one of the most wonderful times in a woman’s life — which is why women with postpartum depression often suffer in silence, stifled by the stigma.
“I felt just incredibly alone and isolated. I felt so much self-doubt and just really thinking there were times where my baby would have been better off without me,” said Melissa Patti, maternal and infant health director for the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey March of Dimes.
She shares her story as a supporter of the new Postpartum Depression Act, which Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law last week. It supports new mothers facing postpartum depression by providing screenings, education and resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The law also requires the department to keep an updated list of resources and materials.
State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, a mother of two who suffered from postpartum depression, sponsored the legislation.
“I really wish 10 years ago that someone had told me some of the facts about postpartum depression — some of the facts that people across Pennsylvania will now learn because this bill has passed,” she said.
“We really view this public awareness and education campaign as a critical piece in giving people the knowledge, the tools to be able to say, ‘I think you might be struggling with this health condition that I heard about. Let’s see if we can get you some help.’”
Postpartum depression affects 1 in 7 women, and the deep feelings of anxiety, worthlessness and depression can be long-term. Treatments include therapy and medication.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled Melissa Patti and Elizabeth Fiedler's names.