A new law in Pennsylvania will encourage education about postpartum depression

When talking to other parents, state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler was often surprised by the reactions she got when she described her work on a bill to treat postpartum depression.

“They said, ‘I think I had it. I think this might be the name of my intense sadness. I didn’t even know I could get treatment for it,” said Fiedler, a Democrat who represents part of South Philadelphia.

“I think there are a lot of people struggling who have never named their challenges.”

Fiedler’s Postpartum Depression Education Act this week passed both houses of the Pennsylvania Legislature. A spokesman said Gov. Josh Shapiro plans to sign the bill into law.

This will require the state Department of Health to launch a public awareness campaign about postpartum depression and anxiety, educating the public about the symptoms, treatments and ways to cope with these conditions. It will also encourage doctors across the state to provide patients with information about symptoms and treatments.

Fiedler said she was inspired to tackle the issue after hearing about postpartum depression and anxiety as a WHYY reporter in 2016.

“I still remember my first year as a parent very clearly. It’s joyful and wonderful, but it’s also really hard and a lot of people are struggling with it,” said Fiedler, whose children are now 10 and 7. “Since I entered parliament six years ago, I have really wanted to do something about this issue.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in eight women who have recently given birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression, which include feelings of sadness, anger, distance from the baby or doubt. so they can take care of them. Other parents may feel excessive anxiety after giving birth, beyond normal levels of worry.

The stakes could be life and death. Mental illness was the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Pennsylvania in 2020, according to a state report on maternal deaths released this spring. Pregnancy-related deaths are those that occur either during pregnancy or in the year after delivery.

Drug overdoses and addiction were the leading causes of mental illness-related maternal deaths. Another 29% of pregnancy-related deaths were attributed to injuries such as accidents, homicides and suicides.

In addition to the public awareness campaign, Fielder’s bill would require health officials to create an online list of mental health providers and other resources to help fight postpartum anxiety and depression. The department will also create an information booklet with common symptoms that doctors across the state will be encouraged to share with new parents.

“We know that many physicians already provide resources to patients, but it depends on where you are. Care and services vary among physicians, medical institutions and different areas of the state, Fiedler said.

Momnibus legislation aims to address health inequalities

It’s especially important to make these resources available to Black mothers, who are at higher risk of developing symptoms of postpartum depression than their white counterparts, Fiedler said. Black Pennsylvanians also have the highest rate of pregnancy-related deaths in the state.

“We know that depression rates are much higher in the black community, and that’s reinforced when we talk about pregnant women — that disparity definitely persists,” she said.

Fiedler noted that some mothers may never receive the care they need because stigma and shame prevent them from discussing their postpartum struggles.

Fiedler’s bill is the first in the legislative package to be adopted called “Momnibus”, led by the Legislative Black Maternal Health Caucus, which includes state Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia).

Momnibus includes a bill requiring private insurers to cover blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum patients to prevent potentially fatal high blood pressure, or preeclampsia. Another would require state health care providers to complete implicit bias training as part of continuing education.

» READ MORE: Could texting new parents asking for blood pressure information help solve the problem of maternal mortality? Penn thinks so.

An earlier version of the Fiedler Postpartum Education Act also included requirements for doctors to screen patients for postpartum depression after birth and during health checkups. A spokesman for Fielder said the aspect was dropped after some lawmakers raised concerns about requiring doctors to do extra work.

Fielder said she plans to continue working to increase screening for postpartum depression by introducing a new bill for the next legislative session.

“I think Pennsylvania can do a lot better for new moms and babies,” Fiedler said. “We are truly committed to working as a team to see this package of bills through to completion.”

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