It is vital that our community comes together to support new parents. Postpartum is often misunderstood as just the first 6 weeks after someone has a baby. People who specialize in pregnancy and postpartum care define the perinatal period as up to one year, or even up to three years after the baby is born.
As we welcome new babies into our community, be sure to also specifically ask about the new parent. It is not uncommon for people to experience a perinatal mood disorder that goes undetected and untreated, until well after the first year postpartum. Research shows 1 in 5 parents experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder and many of them are not getting treatment. Birthing and non-birthing parents can experience mood disorders.
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