Mental Health For New Mothers

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit provides women in our community and their families with the ultimate birthing experience. Each month, we cover a new topic exploring an important aspect of health and well-being for expectant mothers. This month, we’ll discuss some important details concerning mental health.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, anxiety and mood disorders are some of the most common complications to occur during pregnancy or within the first year after delivery. Some of these conditions include:

  • Baby blues
  • Major depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Postpartum psychosis
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder

While common, mental health disorders are frequently undiagnosed or inadequately treated. Therefore, if you begin to experience mental health problems as a new or expectant mother, make sure to discuss them with your obstetrician, who can offer recommendations for helpful activities and lifestyle adjustments, as well as prescribe medication when necessary. Your doctor can also provide a referral to a licensed mental health care provider who can offer specialized treatment for any psychiatric condition you experience.

Flushing Hospital’s New Beginnings unit offers spacious, modern delivery suites and advanced postpartum care, providing you with a safe environment to give birth and comprehensive follow-up medical support for you and your baby. To learn more about the unit, including accommodations and services provided, please call us at (718) 670-5702.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.