Maternal Mental Health [Video]

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – Becoming a new mother will be a wonderful experience for most women – but for some, it’s an anxious time that can be filled with unexpected amounts of uncertainty and stress.

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, which is worthy of highlighting, as mental health conditions are currently the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States.

“Why maternal mental health is such a big issue right now is that nearly a quarter of all maternal deaths, whether that’s in the pregnancy or the postpartum period, are related to mental health conditions including suicide and overdose,” explained Tapia Stover, a certified nurse-midwife.

Having a child is typically expected to be a joyful event, but the toll it takes on your physical and mental well-being should not be underestimated. Because of this social stigma, many new mothers may have difficulty acknowledging that they are in …