Meeting the needs of expectant parents
The journey of pregnancy often brings numerous questions and concerns, particularly for first-time parents. While you may anticipate physical changes, the shifts in mental well-being can be unexpected. Parenthood presents unique challenges, and the path ahead may not always align with expectations.
"Many parents-to-be find themselves grappling with mood swings, heightened stress levels, and even symptoms of depression or anxiety," says Kathleen "Kathy" Stanton, Ph.D., a UT Medicine pediatric psychologist in the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Medicine. "Ensuring access to mental health support and resources is essential for navigating these emotional challenges effectively and fostering a healthy, balanced transition into parenthood."
Challenges in maternity care
"At the Comprehensive Fetal Care Center, we are dedicated to identifying and addressing any unmet needs of our patients," emphasizes Stanton. "Our goal is to establish strong patient-provider relationships from the moment a patient enters our care, often beginning before they walk through the door."
Recognizing postpartum depression
The postpartum period begins after the birth and can last up to a year. During this time, your body undergoes significant physical and emotional changes. Postpartum blues, also known as baby blues, are transient feelings of sadness that you may experience after childbirth. Postpartum blues can turn into postpartum depression when feelings of sadness last longer than two weeks and begin to interfere with your ability to function throughout your daily life or attend to your baby’s needs.
Postpartum depression can occur before pregnancy ends, typically beginning in the late third trimester. However, postpartum depression can also develop up to 12 months after childbirth. Early management can be challenging because perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are often not routinely screened beyond the initial six weeks postpartum.
"Our care team is working towards universal screening for anxiety and depression for every individual," shares Stanton. "It’s also important to remember that adjusting to life with a new family member takes time."
Navigating care options
The lack of awareness about available resources poses challenges for many individuals who are unaware of prenatal care options and coverage. Many families, especially those in hourly positions, also lack access to maternity leave, often returning to work immediately after delivery without time to adjust to a new family member. Additionally, childcare is not always readily available and often incurs extra costs, further exacerbating these challenges.
"In many cases, the families we work with also have children experiencing ongoing health care needs, making access to comprehensive care even more essential," adds Stanton. "Our care team is made up of a variety of specialists who collaborate to address the complex needs of our patients to ensure we are delivering the highest level of patient-centered care."
Patients benefit from a dedicated multidisciplinary care team that includes board-certified and fellowship-trained fetal medicine specialists with extensive experience treating fetal abnormalities and work alongside nurse navigators, genetic counselors, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, sonographers, palliative medicine specialists, psychiatrists, psychologist, health social workers and more to provide unparalleled care for patients and their families before, during, and after pregnancy.
The care team also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community, including pediatric surgeons, pediatric clinical geneticists, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric cardiovascular surgeons, pediatric craniofacial specialists, pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric infectious disease specialists, pediatric nephrologists, pediatric neurologists, pediatric orthopedic physicians, pediatric urologists and more, to schedule and coordinate any additional care services families may need.
Breaking the stigma surrounding pregnancy
Navigating the stigma and societal perceptions surrounding various pregnancy-related needs can be challenging. Recognizing how different phases of pregnancy affect both physical and mental health is crucial. Seeking answers from your health care provider can help you feel confident and prepared for your big day.
Explore commonly asked questions about pregnancy:
- First Trimester (0-13 weeks)
- Second Trimester (14-27 weeks)
- Third Trimester (28 weeks to birth)
- "Fourth Trimester" (Birth to 12 weeks postpartum)
"There’s often stigma surrounding early pregnancy and pregnancy loss, which can make discussing these topics seem unacceptable until the first trimester milestone has passed," notes Stanton. "Scheduling a prenatal visit as soon as you find out you’re pregnant is strongly encouraged and an important step toward advocating for your health care needs. Our care team offers patients and their families access to comprehensive support and education."
Learn more about UT Medicine’s Pregnancy Loss Management service.
Bridging the gaps in maternity care
"Every parent deserves respectful and responsive care before, during and after pregnancy," emphasizes Stanton. "Our care team ensures patients feel heard, undergo thorough monitoring and have all their concerns addressed."
Empowering patients
Empowering patients involves providing them with the tools needed to make informed decisions about their health. This proactive approach not only helps patients understand their options and navigate complex health care systems more effectively but also enables them to advocate for their needs during pregnancy and postpartum. It fosters a collaborative relationship between health care providers and patients, leading to improved maternal health outcomes.
"Expectant parents stand to gain the most by actively listening to their bodies and exploring their emotions, which has the potential to enhance the well-being of their growing family," notes Stanton. "Our care team is dedicated to connecting you with resources that empower you to make informed decisions about your health and the health of your baby."
Encouraging patient-provider relationships
Creating a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable seeking answers and sharing concerns is essential for delivering quality care. Despite any apprehension or uncertainty related to the complexities of pregnancy, it’s important to openly discuss your concerns with your provider. Establishing a strong bond of trust with your health care provider is crucial for feeling empowered to manage your health effectively.
"Even when providers don’t have all the answers, it’s our duty to connect patients with the appropriate resources," shares Stanton. "If you find that your concerns aren’t being fully addressed or that your relationship with your health care provider isn’t meeting your expectations, consider revisiting with your provider to build trust or seek a second opinion."
Raising awareness about patient needs
When health care providers understand the diverse and unique challenges that expectant mothers face, they can better tailor services and support to meet those needs. By fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for these needs, your provider can implement more effective, patient-centered approaches. This leads to improved health outcomes, greater patient satisfaction and a more equitable maternity care landscape, ensuring that all mothers receive the care and support they deserve.
"Raising awareness about unmet needs is crucial for bridging gaps in maternity care and enhancing the quality of care during pregnancy," emphasizes Stanton. "Maternal mental health affects both the mother and baby, and addressing these unmet needs is a step toward fostering healthier and happier families."
"While progress is being made in improving maternal health outcomes, challenges remain in personalizing care for each unique experience," explains Stanton. "It is an ongoing journey where patients and providers must work together to continuously improve maternal care and support. Remember, you don’t have to navigate any stage of pregnancy alone."
