Porter Regional Hospital Offers Support Group to Help Moms Get ‘Beyond the Baby Blues’

Porter-New-Hospital-Coming-SoonIf you are experiencing postpartum feelings, Porter Regional Hospital wants you to know you’re not alone and help is here for you.

To bring awareness to postpartum mood disorders and offer support to new moms throughout our community, Porter is teaming up with local support group “Beyond the Baby Blues” to offer a monthly peer support group for postpartum depression, anxiety and all perinatal mood disorders. The meetings will be held the last Wednesday of the month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Porter Regional Hospital, 85 East US Highway 6 in Valparaiso. The next meeting is Wednesday, August 31.

Postpartum mood disorders are the No.1 complication of pregnancy and childbirth – more common than gestational diabetes, preterm labor or pre-eclampsia, according to Postpartum Support International (PSI).

“The birth of a child is an intimate and joyous occasion that we’re honored to share with so many families in our community,” said Stephanie Didion, Manager of Porter’s Women & Children’s Pavilion. “That said, the journey can present challenges, and those challenges do not simply stop at birth. We want to be there for moms through all stages of their pregnancy, including the post-partum period. Just as pregnancy is different for each mother, the post-partum period is also individual and unique.”

During the postpartum period, moms will experience a multitude of emotions. Many associate a new baby with emotions of joy and excitement, and that is often the case. But the reality is 80% of moms will experience mood swings and weepiness in the first few weeks following delivery, PSI reported. This is known as the “baby blues.” Experiencing the “baby blues” is normal adjustment period; however, 15-20% of moms will develop a more serious postpartum mood disorder, PSI stated. These mood disorders can include postpartum depression and/or anxiety as well as other disorders.

A goal for Porter and Natalie Ladra, founder of “Beyond the Baby Blues,” is to decrease the stigma that still exists around postpartum mood disorders.

“No woman in our communities should suffer in silence, said Ladra. “Our goal is to bring awareness to the masses that postpartum mood disorders are real and can be treated,” she said. “We don't want people to be afraid to reach out for help. By joining our efforts together, our hope is to reach ALL women and families in need. "

No registration is necessary to attend a Beyond the Baby Blues meeting, and babies are welcome. For more information, call Natalie Ladra at 219-331-1945.

Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.