Katherine Schiefer, a 35-year-old lawyer, is experiencing motherhood differently this time. Five months after her son Owen’s birth, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression, prompted by her husband John’s encouragement to seek help for her suicidal thoughts.
“I had thoughts in the middle of the night about not wanting to be here,” Schiefer said, her emotions still raw. “I love my kids and want to be here for them, so those thoughts were alarming.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eight new mothers in the U.S. suffers from postpartum depression, with three-quarters remaining undiagnosed or untreated.
Dr. Sarah Oreck, a reproductive psychiatrist, highlights the importance of acknowledging the complex emotions of parenthood. “Becoming a parent can bring joy but also grief for the life you once had,” she said.
Oreck also notes that insurance coverage for mental health services is inadequate. “Reimbursement for mental healthcare is so poor that many professionals work out of network,” she explained.
Dalindra Buys, a former social worker and new mom, echoes this sentiment. “Many moms need services but can’t afford them,” she said.
After her own postpartum depression diagnosis, Buys sought help at Fourth Tri Sanctuary near Detroit, where doulas provide care for babies, allowing mothers time to rest. However, she found the costs prohibitive. The sanctuary relies on donations to support women like her.
Schiefer also attends Fourth Tri but pays out of pocket for the services, which can be expensive. The sanctuary offers yoga classes, lactation consultations, and mental health support groups, providing essential relief for new mothers.
Buys and her husband, Eric, faced infertility challenges before welcoming their son Cassius, born prematurely at 26 weeks and weighing just two-and-a-half pounds. “The guilt was the hardest thing,” she said.
Encouragement comes from other mothers, with Schiefer sharing, “Other moms have whispered to me that it does get better.”
With each supportive conversation, the stigma surrounding postpartum depression begins to fade, helping mothers find their voices and healing.
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