After the birth of her daughter Jade four months ago, Kim Bois couldn’t understand why she was experiencing anger and depression during what should have been such a happy time in her life.
Bois is not alone. Many mothers show various symptoms of postpartum mood disorders, including stress, anxiety and depression after the birth of their child.
London resident Kim Bois and her four-month-old daughter Jade share a moment at the Mother Reach Drop-in program, led by the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing at The University of Western Ontario.
“I was angry for what I didn’t think were good reasons,” says Bois. “I was depressed and didn’t know what to do about it.”
After receiving a pamphlet at a local prenatal health fair, she attended the Mother Reach Postpartum Drop-In, a weekly service provided under the leadership of registered nurse Pam Dietrich, lecturer and clinical instructor at the Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing at The University of Western Ontario.
The drop-in takes place at Chalmers Presbyterian Church each Thursday from 1-3 p.m. for women and their families who are at risk for or experiencing postpartum mood disorders.
The sessions also provide a unique learning opportunity for nursing students, who assist with the program in collaboration with a trained peer support mentor. The drop-in service, which began in April 2006, is one of several projects of the Mother Reach London & Middlesex Coalition.
Women receive information and social support, and are encouraged to participate in meditation, Nia therapeutic dance movement and yoga. Guest speakers are also invited and free childcare is available.
The program fills a recognizable gap in services for women after childbirth to help with postpartum mood disorders.
“It’s just another mom offering help. It’s a safe environment for mom to come and share their feelings,” says Joanne MacPherson, the peer support mentor who facilitates the group.
About 120 women have used the service since early 2006. Participants are a diverse, including single mothers, women who have left partners, and same-sex couples.
“We try to be very inclusive and meet the needs of the women,” says Dietrich. Cultural interpreters are available.
It has been a few months since Bois first attended the drop-in, but she says the difference in her mood is “almost from night to day.” Now, she looks forward to the weekly sessions to share with other moms.
“I was so glad I came,” she says. “I learned how to deal with some of the stresses that come with a new baby.”
By speaking with other mothers, “it offers them a sense of hope,” says Dietrich.
Telling her story about life after Jade’s birth helped another mom going through a similar situation, says Bois.
The casual environment encourages discussions outside of children, including nutrition and exercise, housework, and personal relationships.
Four Western nursing students from the compressed timeframe BScN program are helping with Mother Reach and will provide presentations to other health care providers about the program.
The sessions give them insight into the challenges many mothers face and the role of nurses in offering community support.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” says nursing student Bera Garcia. “It’s nice to see these support groups help.”
Similarly, Stephanie Watson was emotionally moved by a new mom who attended the drop-in for the first time. “I saw a light bulb go off when she saw ‘I am not the only one.'”
Although Mother Reach is available to women and families in the London and Middlesex area, Oxford County plans to adopt the program and will receive support from Western nursing students as part of their service-learning experience. The coalition plans to expand the drop-in program across the city of London because accessibility can be an issue.
But it is not just women who need support. There is also a monthly support group for fathers; however Dietrich says the turnout has been low. She hopes the men’s program will expand in the future.
For more information or to find out more about the drop-in, contact Pam Dietrich at pdietri2@uwo.ca or visit www.helpformom.ca.