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Evelyn Olson-It Takes All of Us- Alaska MCDR Maternal Health Campaign
Val Davidson, Maternal Health, It Takes All of Us (Full)
Holly Brooks, It Takes All of Us Alaska MCDR Maternal Health Campaign
PREGNANT & POSTPARTUM PEOPLE
Welcome! It can be overwhelming to be pregnant or to be the parent of a new baby - but it can help to remember you are not alone. We may love our baby, or love the idea of being pregnant, and still experience sadness and gloom. However, you are not alone. Many others experience feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, hopelessness, or other concerning thoughts during what is often expected to be a blissful time. The following quote from author, mother, and perinatal mental health advocate Terra LaRock serves as a reminder of what many mothers often feel: "When motherhood overwhelms, remember you are not alone", provides a picture into how many moms often feel.
While pregnant, or after delivering your baby, you may be asked, “Isn’t it great?” or, “Don’t you just love being a mom?” While the intention is to show enthusiasm and support, these simple questions can challenge us, causing us to question our experience and abilities, and worry about the future.
It is important to reach out to neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues for support. You may just find that they too remember how hard it can be. They may remember days of exhaustion, uncertainty, isolation, and worry. As Terra LaRock recalls, “Sleep does gets better, but as a mother, there will always be a sense of darkness that appears and fills your thoughts with doubt. It may not come frequently and the good will certainly outlast and outshine the bad, but it is there. Those words, so deep and true to me in the moments, helped walk me through a low point with the assurance that I was not alone, and that I would survive.”
In early 2024, the Medicaid Postpartum Extension went into effect, extending coverage for new mothers from 60-days after pregnancy to 12 months. This means more access to vital mental health services for those who need it most. By prioritizing mental health care, this will help ensure that every Alaskan mother has the support they need to thrive.
For more information, click here.
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Strong Social Support during pregnancy and after a baby is born improves mental and physical health for mothers and babies.
Support for your pregnant friend or loved one includes tangible and nontangible assistance. Family members or friends are important to create a circle of support. Another option could be hiring a doula. Doulas are professionals trained in caring for families during pregnancy, labor and birth, and after the baby is born. Supporting a person who is pregnant or just had a baby can include providing basic needs (e.g., shelter, food, clothing, and transportation) and emotional support.
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Give the new parents time to rest and recover. Let them decide when they’re ready for visitation.
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Do not take the baby from the parent unless requested.
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Drop by and provide a premade meal, but only stay for a visit if asked to do so. Consider sharing traditional and cultural foods.
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Offer to stop in an babysit so the parent can take a shower, go shopping, or spend some time to self-care.
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New caregivers are often tired and need rest. Offer to clean the house, pick up groceries, bring them their mail, or run errands.
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Offer to provide transportation to doctor appointments and well-baby check-ups.
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Support birthing people with staying engaged or re-engaging in activities and hobbies that they enjoyed before giving birth.
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Support new parents with continuing or resuming cultural and traditional activities such as berry picking, hunting, crafts, music, etc.
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Help connect parents with concrete supports and resources to help ease the financial strain that can come with having a new baby.
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Talk about mental health needs in a supportive, non-judgmental way – emphasize that needing support is normal and OK!
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If the baby is breastfed, support the breastfeeding parent by ensuring they have food and water during feeding sessions and offer to prepare meals or clean while they are breastfeeding.
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If there are older children in the household, entertaining them for a few hours can make space for parents to take a rest.
Sometimes people turn to harmful substances to help them cope with the challenges of being a new parent. Is your loved one experiencing problems related to drug or alcohol use? There are medications and other treatment options available to help pregnant people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol. People who experience substance use disorders often feel shame, which can stop them from getting help. Emotional support, encouragement and access to treatment services will increase the chances of a healthy, safe pregnancy and positive birth experience for mother and baby.
PROVIDERS
The Maternal Child Death Review (MCDR)
The Maternal Child Death Review (MCDR) is housed within the State of Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health. The purpose of this multidisciplinary committee is to reduce infant, child, and maternal morbidity and mortality in Alaska.
Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative
The Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative (AKPQC) was established to promote high-quality maternal and newborn care across Alaska.
Current Initiatives:
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Substance-Exposed Newborns Initiative (SENI)
The AKPQC is partnering with the State of Alaska Substance-Exposed Newborns Initiative (SENI) to promote universal verbal prenatal screening utilizing a validated screening tool.
Past Initiatives:
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Substance Affected Pregnancies Initiative (SAPI)
The Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative launched the Substance Affected Pregnancies Initiative (SAPI) in September 2021 with seven participating hospitals. SAPI engages hospitals in collaborative quality improvement following the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Breakthrough Series model.
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Birth Transfer Initiative
The Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative has convened a multidisciplinary advisory committee to launch an initiative focused on improving maternal and neonatal transfers from planned community (home and birth center) births.
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Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Hypertension Initiative
This initiative focused on maternal hypertension launched in March 2019. Using a collaborative quality improvement framework, the six participating hospitals were supported through monthly collaborative-wide team and data meetings, quarterly webinars, and technical assistance to reduce the rate of severe maternal morbidity.
RESOURCES:
Alaska Division of Public Health Resource List for New Parents
My Healthy Alaskan Baby wallet card
PSI-AK Alaska State Chapter of Postpartum Support International
Providence Pregnancy Information and Resources
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Women’s Care of Alaska: Post-Partum Depression
Nurse Family Partnership: Helping the First-Time Parent Succeed
Please note we do not offer crisis management services. Always dial 911 if there is threat of suicide or of violence or harm to self or others.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline -
1-800-273-8255
Alaska State Troopers - 907-269-5511
24 Hour Crisis Hotline - 907-563-3200
Careline Alaska - 1-877-266-4357
Listen to Doula Hayley Kocinski talk about her work and the kinds
of support birthing people need most during the postpartum period.
Hayley is a private doula who participates as a panelist in the MCDR Program. MCDR committee members and panelists are not state employees. While the views in this recording may be consistent with MCDR recommendations, they are the author’s own personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the State of Alaska or the MCDR program.
RESOURCES:
MCDR Recommendations, Issue 1 (June 2020)
MCDR Recommendations, Issue 2 (March 2021)
MCDR Recommendations, Issue 3 (August 2021)
Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) Review Toolkit (2021 update)
SMM Review Form (long version)
SMM Review Form (short version)
Physician Patient Communication