LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — It's a normal routine for a new mother to go to the doctor and check on her physical status after giving birth, but what about their mental health?
According to a new Arkansas Center for Health Improvement study, most postpartum moms ages 18 to 44 don't receive those services in Arkansas.
"We know that women after they deliver are much more likely to have depression and mental health issues," Dr. Joe Thompason said. "We actually looked [at] two and a half percent of women who deliver a baby in Arkansas are hospitalized within the first year after they've given birth."
Thompson, the CEO of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, said there is an alarming upward trend in Arkansas in terms of maternity challenges. So, they are bringing awareness to this part of the healthcare transparency initiative to help health providers make decisions to improve our healthcare.
"People ask why this maternal health issue has risen to the surface," Thompson said. "Arkansas is one of the worst states from a maternal mortality perspective, but our nation is twice that of the next developed country. Arkansas is twice that of the national average, and for women of color, particularly African American women, their maternal mortality rates are twice that of white women here in the state of Arkansas."
Thompson said what's most concerning is women who are hospitalized; fewer than a third are seen after they're discharged within the month, and a majority are never seen within the next six months for mental health conditions in the outpatient setting.
"The data that we've been generating, highlighting some of the threats to women's health, really showcase and call for support around women, not only as they are pregnant go through the birthing process, but importantly, help them have support in the year following the delivery," Thompson said.
But with every problem comes a solution.
Thompson said primary doctors, faith-based leaders, and families who show more support and interest in mental health can improve mothers' overall well-being.
"There is very strong evidence that postpartum follow up, recognition and treatment of maternal depression and also recognition of heart challenges, diabetes, other things that the woman may have that have gone unrecognized and could threaten her life," Thompson said.
By sparking those mental health conversations, Thompson believes we can meet the mental health needs of Arkansans.
"We need to pay attention," Thompson said. "We need to listen, and we need to wrap support around them in that first year of their newborn's life," Dr. Joe Thompson said.