The Motherhood Center of New York

🕊️ Today, on World Su***de Prevention Day, we want to shine a light on a silent crisis affecting new mothers and birthing people: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). PMADs, which include conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and postpartum psychosis, impact up to 1 in 5 mothers/birthing people during pregnancy or the postpartum period. They are the number one complication of childbirth, and when left untreated, they are the leading cause of maternal mortality, including su***de. 🌼

Symptoms of PMADs can vary widely: from persistent sadness, anxiety, or irritability, to constant worry, intrusive thoughts, or even hallucinations. If these feelings go beyond the “baby blues” and last for more than two weeks, it could be a sign that more support is needed.

Let’s break the silence and stigma around maternal mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Reach out — there is help, there is hope, and there is a community ready to support you. 💛

📞 Call the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit The Motherhood Center for compassionate care, resources, and a safe space to heal.

***dePreventionDay

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), otherwise known as “postpartum depression,” are a group of symptoms that can affect women/birthing people during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, causing emotional and physical problems that make it hard to enjoy life and function well.

If you, or someone you love, may be experiencing symptoms of Prenatal or Postpartum Depression, call The Motherhood Center of New York to receive a free initial screen. 📞: 212-335-0034

“’Whatever you believe about a woman’s right to have an abortion, the irrefutable medical fact is that forced pregnancy — when a woman or girl becomes pregnant without seeking or desiring it, and abortion is denied, hindered, delayed or made difficult — will profoundly increase the number of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in women and birthing people...” - Dr. Catherine Birndorf, Co-Founder, CEO, and Medical Director of The Motherhood Center of New York.

PMADs are the number 1 complication associated with childbirth and the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. Without access to reproductive healthcare and affordable care, these numbers will only increase.

Read the full article by Allison Carmen, The Motherhood Center’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Business Operator, and General Counsel. Visit our link in bio to read the article now 🔗

“A sense of failure among new parents came up time and time again in a 2024 study by Dr. Ruth Naughton-Doe, a research fellow at the University of York specializing in loneliness. ‘But they were not failures,’ she says. ‘They had been failed. Failed by a society that doesn’t value parenting. Failed by under-resourced services.’”

It’s been time to provide the support new parents truly need. At The Motherhood Center, we strive to fill these gaps with compassion, community, and specialized mental health treatment that every mother/birthing person deserves. �

Read the full article via link in bio �

You're not a bad mom. You're not crazy. You're just having a hard time - and that's okay. With the right support, you can start feeling like yourself again. ❤️✨

Thank you .ferenczi for sharing your PMAD story with us. The more we share our stories, the more we normalize how common it is to struggle with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). When we tell the truth about our own motherhood journey, we give others permission to do the same. We send the message that it’s OK to not be OK – that there is help and hope.

Read .ferenczi's full PMAD story, along with other brave parents who shared their stories, by visiting our "PMAD Stories" web page via the link in our bio. 🔗

Today marks the first day of Su***de Prevention Month. We want to remind you that there is help, there is hope, and you are not alone.

It is estimated that up to 20% of maternal deaths are due to su***de, making maternal su***de deaths more common than deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage or hypertensive disorders in the United States. We know how hard and isolating motherhood can be, and we also know that with the right help, everyone can feel better.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a PMAD - reach out to one of these maternal mental health resources today.

Maternal Mental Health Resources:
� Visit Postpartum Support International: https://ow.ly/4T8n50T6PE1

� Call the National Su***de Prevention Hotline: 988

� Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-800-852-6262)

� Call The Motherhood Center if you are located in NY/NJ/CT or visit our website: 212-335-0034; https://ow.ly/qThu50T6PE2

Statistics: “September 2022 Maternal Su***de In the U.S.” Issue Brief, by Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

THIS 👏👏👏

"'The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society,' wrote US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, a father of two. 'We know that the well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.'"

"The advisory cited a 2023 survey of adults from the American Psychological Association that found 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared with 20% of other adults.

What’s needed is a culture shift, the advisory says: “It’s time to value and respect time spent parenting on par with time spent working at a paying job, recognizing the critical importance to society of raising children.” Parents and caregivers need societal support and to be able to talk openly about the stress of parenting. Like an earlier surgeon general’s advisory, it says more connection is needed to combat loneliness and isolation among parents.

The stress and mental health challenges faced by parents — just like loneliness, workplace well-being and the impact of social media on youth mental health — aren’t always visible, but they can take a steep toll,” Murthy wrote in a guest essay in the New York Times. “It’s time to recognize they constitute a serious public health concern for our country. Parents who feel pushed to the brink deserve more than platitudes. They need tangible support.”

Read the full article here or via link in bio 🔗✨ https://ow.ly/OnFT50T9LCO

Did you know? PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders) impact more mothers/birthing people than gestational diabetes, hypertension, and other common pregnancy complications—yet screening isn't mandatory.

Providers must screen regularly and understand the signs/symptoms of PMADs. Join us on September 11th at 11:00 AM ET for our next free Provider PMAD Training to learn more about how to recognize PMADs and connect mothers/birthing people to the care they deserve.

Have you downloaded our ✨free✨ Postpartum Mental Health Plan?

Becoming a parent can be both blissful and overwhelming at the same time. This plan can help you prepare for your postpartum mental health and identify what to do if you just aren't feeling like yourself.

Visit our link in bio to download your copy today! 🔗🫶

🌟 During Black Breastfeeding Week, we celebrate the resilience, strength, and importance of Black mothers/birthing people who nourish their babies despite systemic challenges. At The Motherhood Center, we understand that breastfeeding can be a beautiful yet challenging journey, particularly when experiencing a PMAD.

For Black mothers/birthing people, the added stressors of racial disparities and lack of support can increase the risk of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). This week, let's raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for the mental health and well-being of Black mothers/birthing people on their breastfeeding journeys. Remember, your mental health matters as much as your baby's nourishment. 🖤🍼

Swipe to see events hosted by this week to celebrate!

Our very own Dr. Catherine Birndorf, Co-Founder and CEO of The Motherhood Center, was a panelist at the Sag Harbor viewing of the powerful and necessary, Oscar-nominated short film “RED, WHITE AND BLUE” created by .choudhury 🎥.

The panel, led by , with writer-director .choudhury, of , and Dr. Catherine Birndorf of , was a passionate conversation about reproductive healthcare in America.

To learn more about RED, WHITE AND BLUE and the film’s impact initiative, head to our link in bio or check out . 🔗

Our next free PMAD Training is on Wednesday, September 11th, at 11:00 AM ET! 🩺

As we all know, motherhood can be incredibly challenging and it's important for healthcare providers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support their patients through this difficult time. This virtual training offers a comprehensive introduction to Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and is available to all healthcare providers and maternal health specialists

Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and improve your patient care. Join us on September 11th by RSVPing for our free training via link in bio! 💻🤝

Social media can be a beautiful way to stay connected, but it also has a way of amplifying the pressure to be perfect. As new and expecting moms/parents, it’s easy to get caught in the comparison trap, thinking everyone else is living a picture-perfect life while we struggle to keep up. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to measure up to anyone’s highlight reel.

Here are some ways to keep it real and be kinder to yourself:

💛 Remember that most of those flawless family photos only capture a fraction of reality.
💛 Unfollow accounts that leave you feeling less-than or stir up feelings of envy.
💛 Fill your feed with honesty and support. Follow voices that celebrate the realness of motherhood, like .motherhood, , , and .

Surround yourself with content that lifts you up and reminds you that you’re doing an amazing job in incredibly challenging circumstances. You deserve peace, mama. 💛

Grab your headphones and listen to our very own Dr. Catherine Birndorf on the My Good Woman Podcast hosted by Dawn Andrews! 🎧

"In this episode, Dr. Catherine Birndorf, founder of The Motherhood Center, shares the challenges of scaling a business in the healthcare industry while staying true to her mission.

If you think running a business is tough, wait until you hear how she’s reshaping the maternal mental health landscape, one bold decision at a time. From navigating the complex realities of entrepreneurship to creating a sanctuary for women struggling with perinatal mental health, her story is full of insights for business owners who are ready to step up as visionary leaders."

Listen to Episode 62 "Business, Motherhood, and Mental Health" wherever you get your podcasts or via the link in our bio! 🔗 🎙️ 🫶

This 👏👏👏

Just because you didn't/don't love your pregnancy, doesn't mean you don't/won't love your baby. It's also totally okay to have loved/love your pregnancy!

What was your pregnancy journey like?

📸:

Healing is a journey, full of peaks, valleys, blips, and dips. When it comes to recovering from a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD), it's important to remember that progress isn’t always a straight line. 📈

Some days, you may feel like you're on top of the world, and other days, it might feel like you're back at square one. This doesn’t mean you aren’t healing; it means that healing takes time. It's okay to take things one day at a time. Symptoms may take time to go into remission, but each step, no matter how small, is a step forward. ❤️

We love seeing your baby and many people who in the Day Program also have older children.

We believe your baby is very much a part of your care. Dyadic Therapy is a treatment form that includes mom/birthing parent and baby by enhancing bonding and attachment. Babies are often present in the Day Program — sleeping, eating, crying, and playing.

For older children, we will work with you to help make the program manageable to ensure you are able to fully participate during the Day Program hours.

Interested in our Day Program? Our Care Coordinators are ready to answer your call and support you every step of the way. �

Baby Blues affects up to 80% of new moms/birthing people, with symptoms of exhaustion, irritation, and sadness after having given birth. If these symptoms last longer than two weeks, you may be experiencing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD).

It's okay to seek help. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. 💕 Call today to learn about our treatment services: 212-335-0034

Meet Milicent Fugate, MD the Associate Director of the Day Program and Reproductive Psychiatrist at The Motherhood Center of New York! ✨

​Dr. Fugate is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in reproductive psychiatry. She attended the University of Louisville for her undergraduate studies and the University of Kentucky for her medical doctorate. Dr. Fugate completed a general psychiatry residency at the University of Kentucky and completed her fellowship training in women’s mental health at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

To view the rest of our wonderful team, visit our website at https://ow.ly/5XTe50SWh3e 💻

"That Shower

The water tinges pink,
or pools bright red
as a stark reminder of all you have just achieved.

You ache and move tentatively,
for all your body has just been through.

So strong, but so fragile.

You body feels empty for the first time in the best part of a year,

But you heart feels more full than it’s ever been before.

You are alone in this room, silent but for the crashing of water ringing in your ears.

This white noise accompanying the melody of joy, shock, love, overwhelm singing through your body.

You mind whirs, your future flashing before your eyes, your immediate past replaying like a movie in your head.

Did that really just happen?
Did you really just do that?

Life has just changed forever in a moment.
You are a mother now.
You have a baby now.
Your baby.
Now.

The responsibility heavy,
the relief overwhelming,
the excitement buzzing,
the exhaustion crushing,
the love exploding.

As the warm water hits your face,
streams down your back
and washes down the drain,
the old you fades with it.

They say when you give birth,
a mother is born as well as a baby.
But I’m pretty sure that mother me
was born in that shower.

You’ve been to the moon,
and you’re coming back to yourself.

So still in your bathroom womb.
The world still buzzing behind the door.
You’ll step out of that shower, transformed.
You’ll never feel so full and so empty,
so much and so little,
so wild and so calm
as you do in that shower.

That shower you will never forget.

I think there are only 2 showers in my life that I vividly remember taking. The showers after the births of both my babes.

Those showers."

Words
Photo

Last week we were honored to have Birdie Meyer, of PSI, Teresa, Carla, and Denise from Portugal (wanting to begin a Day Program) and Kaamna from India (also wanting to begin a Day Program) tour The Motherhood Center of New York. �

Paving the way for higher levels of perinatal mental health care! �
reis.psicsantanita.mhcl_

Tune in for a conversation with our very own Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C, and LAIST host Austin Cross to discuss the challenges of sleep training.

This conversation will be all about the difficulties parents can face when trying to sleep train their children, how parents may struggle to balance work and their relationship while trying to sleep train, and how parents can cope with the possible stress that may occur during this stage of parenthood.

Listen in today at 12:40 - 1:00 PM ET on channel 89.3 FM or live on their website at https://ow.ly/sziA50STSBW ��

Our Myths of Motherhood virtual event is back 🫶

It’s time to deconstruct the notion that loving your baby and wishing you could have your old life back are not mutually exclusive. In our free virtual discussion on Tuesday, September 24th, at 7:30 PM ET, we’ll delve into the concepts of the “good enough” mother/parent, replacing the “should’s” and “supposed to’s” with acceptance and what to do if you find yourself crying and/or worrying a lot about the baby and you just want to feel like yourself again.

Join the conversation – reserve your spot today! Visit our link in bio or website at https://ow.ly/369E50SS8Vq to join us on September 24th. 🔗🤰

Happy World Breastfeeding Week! ��

Breastfeeding/chestfeeding is a beautiful journey that comes with its own set of challenges and triumphs. While breastfeeding can promote bonding and feelings of calm and well-being for both mom and baby, it’s also important to acknowledge the pressures and emotional strain that can accompany breastfeeding.

Struggles with latch, supply, or the demands of nursing can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, or even depression. Remember, every mother’s journey is unique, and there is no one “right” way to feed your baby.

If you find yourself overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. Seeking support from healthcare providers, lactation consultants, and fellow moms can make a world of difference. At The Motherhood Center, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Let’s celebrate the incredible strength of mothers/birthing people everywhere and continue to advocate for the support and resources needed to ensure a healthy, happy breastfeeding experience for all who choose to breastfeed. �