Newborns aren't the only ones who need love and support. Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian recently announced the launch of the Maternal Mental Health Program in hopes of helping new and expecting mothers overcome mental health challenges associated with hormonal changes before, during and after pregnancy.
"Women are told that the birth of their babies should be the happiest times of their lives. But for many, hormonal changes lead to a cascade of emotions, including depression and feelings of hopelessness," said Patricia De Marco Centeno, M.D., medical director of the Maternal Mental Health Program at Hoag. "What surprises many people is that 1 in 5 women experiences maternal depression which makes it the leading complication of pregnancy."