by Sonal Patel | Oct 9, 2023 | Blog
The FDA approval of Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the first oral medication, has offered new hope to mothers who have exhausted all other treatment options to cope with their postpartum depression. This is a milestone in recognizing the maternal mental health crisis that plagues our country. The benefit of this drug is that it offers a new approach to treating postpartum depression and brings postpartum health into the spotlight. With Zurzuvae and other treatments gaining recognition in mainstream media, postpartum health is becoming an essential topic in society. And yet, Zurzuvae is a reactive sparkling toy distracting from the root causes of postpartum depression.
One in seven women suffer from postpartum depression. Some factors that have led us to a maternal mental health crisis include a social stigma surrounding postpartum depression, lack of universal paid family leave, childcare concerns, barriers to healthcare access in terms of equity and race, and a postpartum medical care system in which 40% of women do not attend their appointments, to name a few. We have created a system for mothers to fail, and now we are in crisis mode.
Each of the above “lack of” could be its own book. My lens is through the medical field. I graduated medical school in 2003. Since then, saying the healthcare landscape has drastically changed would be an understatement. Though we have attempted to create policies that support prevention (expansion of Medicaid/Medicare under the Affordable Care Act), we are constantly in reactive mode as evident by the national COVID response.
My training continued as a pediatrician who further specialized in neonatology and lactation. Admittedly, until I personally tested America’s postpartum system through my own four diverse pregnancies, I didn’t realize the massive holes. It’s a system that demanded my return to pediatric appointments mere days after I delivered with a broken body and a newborn to support. Then, repeating the process several times in the first month in exchange for ten to fifteen minutes of infant care. No wonder my mind fractured months later with undiagnosed postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.
Postpartum depression is not something that can be treated with a pill alone. The current medical care system does not adequately address a postpartum mother’s healing. One underutilized and economically sound solution for preventing postpartum depression (PPD) is in-home postpartum visits. Home visits allow for more quantitative and qualitative PPD screening.
In 2017, MIECHV (Maternal Infant and Early Childhood Home Visitation program) demonstrated an average PPD screening rate of 75 percent. The federally funded MIECHV supports more than 3,200 state and local agencies that conduct home visits via 20 different models. Economically, MIECHV programs see “a return on investment of $1.89 for every dollar spent.” Families benefiting from MIECHV home visits also report an increase in household income. According to the Center for American Progress, every $1 invested in home visiting programs yields a $3 to $5 return to society.
Other benefits from at-home healthcare includes reduction in maternal and infant mortality and improvement in breastfeeding rates. These outcomes lead to significant reductions in health care expenses.
As we applaud the national spotlight placed on maternal mental health, we cannot overlook the systemic, social, and medical barriers that have led us here. Concurrently, as we pour resources into scientific research, we need to economically support the real, granular issues impacting maternal mental health. America’s postpartum healthcare system needs to change to prioritize prevention rather than glorify quick fixes. Otherwise, we will keep placing bandages over what is none other than a hemorrhaging crisis.
- Postpartum Depression: StatPearls
- Postpartum depression risk factors: A narrative review – PMC
- Long-term effects of a home-visiting intervention for depressed mothers and their infants
- Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program | MCHB
- EVIDENCE ON THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF HOME VISITING PROGRAMS: Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Follow-Up in the Mother and Inf
- Home Visiting: A Common-Sense Investment – Center for American Progress
by Sonal Patel | May 18, 2023 | Blog
What exactly is paid family leave?
Paid family leave is longer-term leave to care for family members more commonly associated with birth or adoption. Leave, depending upon the paid family model of care, can be partially or fully compensated during the said time period. Currently, the United States, Papua New Guinea, and a few island countries in the Pacific Ocean are the only nations in the world that do not require employers to provide paid time off for new parents.
Paid family leave differs from the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). President Bill Clinton signed this law on February 5, 1993. FMLA is a federal law that provides up to 12 weeks of job protection, but leave is unpaid.
On December 20, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act. It provides America’s 2.1 million federal workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave following childbirth, adoption, or fostering. At the state level, paid family laws are being passed around the country. Thirteen (13) states and District of Columbia, at this time of publication, have laws though some not fully implemented. Those states include: California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
According to 2012 Labor Department data, one in four employed women reported returning to work just two weeks after childbirth. Pew Research results showed 17 percent of women returning to work less than six weeks after giving birth. In a poll of 3,000 working parents, LinkedIn and Censuswide found that 49 percent of women took an extended maternity break, and 75 percent wanted to but couldn’t for financial reasons. Replacing these workers costs an estimated 21 percent of an employee’s salary.
So what are the economic benefits of paid family leave?
Advantages of Paid Family Leave
Maternal and Child Benefits
Paid family leave has been associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. Mothers with paid leave are more likely to breastfeed. Analysis of California’s Paid Leave Program showed that women’s breastfeeding duration increased from two to 12 weeks. According to Bartick et al. (2017), America could save “$17.2 billion in costs associated with medical expenditures and premature births if mothers were able to exclusively breastfeed for six months.”
Paid leave reduces neonatal mortality by 5.2 percent, infant mortality by 2.4 percent, and the under-five-years mortality rate by 1.9 percent. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression found that paid maternity leave is associated with a 15 percent reduction in maternal depressive symptoms. Paid family leave also benefits newborns through decreased incidence of low birth weight, preterm birth, and hospitalization. Long-term childhood benefits include enriched nutrition, better overall health, and early-education achievements.
Paternal and Child Benefits
Adding paid parental leave further improves outcomes in breastfeeding, infant mortality, and childhood development. Research associated with California’s Paid Leave Program shows that by adding paid parental leave, length of breastfeeding increases by nearly 18 days.
Data from 16 European countries from 1969 to 1994 found that paid parental leave— specifically a 10-week paid leave—“correlated with a 3.3 to 3.5 percent reduction in child mortality and a 2.5 to 3.4 percent reduction in infant mortality.”
Data from the United Kingdom shows that parental leave increases a father’s involvement in childrearing by 19 percent. Sweden’s results demonstrate that lengthened interaction between father and child increases cognitive development at six months of age.
Employers and Economic Benefits
Paid family leave after childbirth can offer significant financial advantages to companies. Advantages included reduced rates of turnover, enhanced productivity, and engagement of employees. Employees who have access to paid family leave are more likely to return to work after the birth of their child and express more job satisfaction, engagement, and measurable productivity. As a result, employers benefit from less turnovers.
According to studies looking specifically at women with paid family leave, women employees also reflect the above findings. With more women returning to work, advantages have been linked for both individual women and families as well as the national economy. In 2022, the Council of Foreign Relations estimated that if women were part of the US labor force at the same rate as men, America’s economy would grow by $4.3 trillion in five years.
Conclusion
The financial, economic, and health advantages of paid family leave during the 4th trimester are staggeringly positive. Although many nations have adopted this strategy, the United States has not yet done so universally. It’s time for the US to follow the lead of the many other nations. It’s time for the US to have universal paid family leave.
Read more about these benefits in The Doctor and Her Black Bag: How Old Fashion Care Tackles Maternal Mortality and Benefits America’s Economy.
by Sonal Patel | May 18, 2023 | Blog
A new baby is a big deal for a family, and it presents many difficulties, especially for new mothers. However, medical in-home postpartum visits are beneficial and necessary for a new mother’s physical, mental, and social well-being. This blog post will cover the advantages of medical in-home postpartum visits from a personal, social, and financial perspective. We’ll also talk about how to get postpartum medical visits at home.
Benefits to Individuals of Postpartum Medical Home Visits
For new mothers, postpartum medical home visits have a number of personal benefits. With these visits, it is ensured that new moms receive the proper medical attention as well as support for their physical and mental health. Individual benefits of medical in-home postpartum visits include the following.
Proper medical care and support
Postpartum visits ensure that new mothers receive the correct medical attention and support. It contributes to the mother’s successful recovery and the rapid resolution of any medical problems.
Keeping an eye out for postpartum depression
Many new mothers experience postpartum depression, which can have serious repercussions. Postpartum checkups offer the chance to check for postpartum depression and, if necessary, to offer the required support and management.
Support for breastfeeding
For new mothers, postpartum medical home visits have various positive interpersonal effects. These appointments allow expectant moms to speak with a doctor and get assistance with their mental and social well-being. Medical in-home postpartum visits have the following interpersonal benefits:
Monitoring for postpartum depression
Postpartum visits provide new mothers a chance to get help emotionally. The doctor can offer the direction and encouragement you need to deal with the emotional difficulties of parenthood.
Social Support
Postpartum appointments give new mothers a chance to interact with a doctor and get social support. It aids new moms in overcoming the feelings of loneliness and isolation that frequently accompany parenting.
Professional advice
Postpartum visits give new mothers the chance to get professional advice. It can aid new mothers in managing the difficulties of motherhood.
Economic Benefits of Postpartum Medical Visits at Home
For new mothers, there are significant financial benefits to having medical appointments at home after delivery. These checkups give the chance to safeguard the mother and child’s health and avoid costly medical problems. The following are a few financial benefits of postpartum care provided by doctors in their homes:
Avoid costly medical problems
Postpartum appointments give the chance to avoid costly medical problems. It makes sure that any medical problems are handled quickly, which can reduce expensive medical expenditures.
Reduce hospital readmissions
Reducing hospital readmissions can be accomplished by scheduling postpartum visits. It guarantees the health of both mother and child and ensures that any medical problems are swiftly resolved, hence minimizing the need for hospital readmissions.
Enhance the mother and child’s health
Postpartum visits can help the mother and child’s health. It makes sure that any medical problems are dealt with right away, which can reduce expensive medical expenditures and enhance both the mother’s and the child’s general health.
How to Get Postpartum Medical Visits at Home
Reach out to us for a free consultation. If we don’t service your area, check out The Center for 4th Trimester Care (c4tc.co) for a list of physicians conducting home visits around the country.
Read more about these benefits in The Doctor and Her Black Bag: How Old Fashion Care Tackles Maternal Mortality and Benefits America’s Economy.
by Sonal Patel | May 18, 2023 | Blog
In addition to being a natural and healthful way to feed infants, breastfeeding provides considerable financial advantages. According to studies, breastfeeding can lower healthcare costs by reducing risk of diseases in mom and newborns. However, despite the benefits of nursing, many women encounter obstacles that make it challenging to do so. In this blog post, we’ll talk about breastfeeding’s advantages for health and the economy, as well as its drawbacks and the necessity of societal pillars for encouraging women to breastfeed.
The Advantages of Breastfeeding for Health
Various minerals and other bioactive components found in breast milk offer protection from infectious and non-communicable diseases. Breastfeeding has been found to lower the incidence of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in infants. Furthermore, breastfeeding has been connected to better cognitive growth and a lower incidence of obesity.
For mothers, breastfeeding has been linked to a decreased risk of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Breastfeeding may also hasten postpartum recovery and lower the risk of postpartum depression.
The Advantages of Breastfeeding for Economy
Breastfeeding has a lot of positive economic effects in addition to health benefits. According to a study in the Journal of Pediatrics, if 90% of women nursed their kids for the recommended six months, the United States might save $13 billion annually on healthcare costs. In addition, breastfeeding can lower healthcare costs by reducing illnesses and problems like SIDS, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections that need medical attention. Furthermore, breastfeeding can minimize the time parents must take off of work to care for unwell children.
For families, breastfeeding has positive financial effects as well. Formula might be pricey; however, breast milk is less costly. Costs incurred with breastfeeding include purchasing breast pumps and accessories such as bottles. However, with the passing of the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps were mandated to be covered by insurance.
The Challenges of Breastfeeding
Despite the advantages of nursing, many women encounter obstacles that make it challenging to do so. Lack of support from family and friends, inability to access lactation consultants or other services, and having to go back to work soon after giving birth are frequent obstacles to nursing. In addition, some women struggle with physical issues like painful nipples or trouble latching.
Legislation surrounding breastfeeding also causes hurdles. Until the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, employers did not have to provide adequate space or breaks for pumping. Moreover, employers with under 50 employees still are not required by law to support a breastfeeding mother. Laws also vary by state. Issues associated with public breastfeeding to appropriate places to pump and store breast milk are still contingent on state. For a detailed summary around breastfeeding and laws, check out Breastfeeding State Laws.
Conclusion
Women, newborns, families, communities, and our society can profit from the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding. Although many women desire to breastfeed, they may encounter obstacles that make it challenging to do so. It is crucial to spread awareness of the advantages of breastfeeding among families, healthcare professionals, and employers. Moreover, it is necessary to work to foster an atmosphere that supports and promotes breastfeeding. By eliminating breastfeeding barriers, we all can benefit from its wealth of health and economic advantages.
References
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/maternal-and-economic-benefits-of-breastfeeding#!
https://www.eatsonfeetsresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/EconomicsofBF.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/11-benefits-of-breastfeeding
Want more? Download a free copy of Dr. Sonal Patel’s bestseller, The Doctor & Her Black Bag: How old fashioned care tackles maternal mortality and benefits America’s economy.
by Sonal Patel | Feb 8, 2023 | Blog
The 4th trimester is a critical time for mothers and families as they navigate the postpartum period. It is important to understand the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that occur during this time, and to provide the necessary support to ensure the best possible outcomes for both mothers and their families. By nurturing the mother, families can reap many benefits that will contribute to their overall health and well-being.
- Improved Mental Health: After giving birth, mothers are at a higher risk for depression and anxiety. It is important to support mothers during this time by providing a safe and supportive environment. This can include offering practical help, such as meal preparation, household chores, and baby care, as well as emotional support, such as active listening and empathy. When mothers feel supported and valued, they are more likely to have better mental health outcomes.
- Better Physical Health: The physical demands of motherhood can be intense, and it is important to provide the necessary support to ensure that mothers are able to recover from childbirth and return to optimal health. This can include providing adequate rest and sleep, nourishing meals, and help with physical tasks. By nurturing the mother, families can help ensure that she has the energy and resources to care for herself and her family.
- Increased Bonding and Attachment: The 4th trimester is a critical time for bonding and attachment between mothers and their infants. By nurturing the mother, families can help create an environment that is conducive to this bonding process. This can include providing opportunities for skin-to-skin contact, offering emotional support, and helping to ensure that mothers have the time and energy to engage in meaningful interactions with their infants.
- Better Family Relationships: The postpartum period can bring about changes in family relationships. By nurturing the mother, families can help to ensure that these changes are positive and that relationships remain strong. This can include providing emotional support, offering practical help, and promoting open and honest communication.
- Improved Child Development: The first year of life is a critical time for children’s development, and mothers play a crucial role in this process. By nurturing the mother, families can help ensure that children receive the best possible start in life. This can include providing a safe and supportive environment, offering emotional support, and promoting positive parent-child interactions.
As you can see, nurturing the mother during the 4th trimester is critical for the health and well-being of both mothers and their families. By providing the necessary support, families can ensure that mothers have the resources and energy to care for themselves and their families, and that children receive the best possible start in life. Whether it’s through emotional support, practical help, or simply promoting a safe and supportive environment, nurturing the mother will have many benefits that will contribute to the overall health and well-being of the family. By acknowledging and supporting mothers during the 4th trimester, we can improve outcomes for mothers, fathers, and children.
