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September 28, 2011 — CCPMHC E-Newsletter

The Central California Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative is dedicated to building a network of support for women suffering from mood and anxiety disorders during and after pregnancy, and we are pleased to present the...

4th Annual Perinatal Mental Health Conference
“Constructing Our Circle of Support”
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
7:30 AM – 4:15 PM

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
2233 Ventura Street
Fresno, CA 93721

Last year's conference sold out, so register now by ordering your ticket. Read more.

Mother's Resource Center: Providing Support for Breastfeeding Moms

Becoming a mother is a wondrous time, but it can also be confusing, exhausting and stressful. Most of us are familiar with the reports that breastfeeding offers baby the best possible start in life, but many women find themselves having a difficult time nursing and don't know where to turn for help.

Fortunately for area moms, the Mother's Resource Center at Community Regional Medical Center offers support and assistance to help them during this phase of parenthood. Located in the Community Medical Plaza at CRMC, the Mother's Resource Center offers a variety of services, classes and programs to encourage and support moms and families in their choice to breastfeed.

Their lactation specialists make hospital visits at Community Regional and Clovis Community, offering private bedside breastfeeding education and assistance. But the services offered by the lactation consultants don't stop once mom and baby leave the hospital. Mothers who need further assistance with breastfeeding can make an appointment with a lactation consultant at the Mother's Resource Center to help with issues such as assessing latch, positioning, milk transfer and troubleshooting additional breastfeeding problems. Read more.

Group Therapy Helps Pregnant Women and Moms Manage the Balancing Act

Patricia Neufeld-Erdman is a Marriage and Family Therapist who provides individual and group therapy for women experiencing stress, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy and motherhood.

With three daughters of her own, Neufeld-Erdman is passionate about women's health, and it's her mission to shed some light on a dark little secret: One in six women experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth, and it is the most common, undiagnosed complication during pregnancy and after childbirth.

"We tend to believe that pregnancy and having a baby is a time of emotional well-being for women and their families, and this is true for many women," explained Neufeld-Erdman. "But the reality is that this major life transition is stressful for many women, and the pressure to do everything right creates an enormous amount of anxiety."

In 2005 the American Group Psychotherapy Association awarded her a grant to develop a group therapy program for women experiencing postpartum depression. Her program, called "The Balancing Act," is designed to show women how to take care of themselves while still caring for others. Read more.

March 28, 2011 — CCPMHC E-Newsletter

Research Project Sheds Light on Psychological Birth Trauma in Different Cultures

California's San Joaquin Valley is often described as a melting pot, a region where people of diverse cultures, customs and languages have come to seek out a better life for themselves and their families, whether by working in the fields, starting businesses or by other means. But along with the diversity of a culturally rich region comes many challenges that can include profound poverty and social issues among the immigrant population.

Working as a nurse practitioner at Community Medical Center's Women's Health Clinic in Fresno, Ellen Frickberg-Middleton provides care for women of a wide variety of cultures, and her 30 years of clinical experience in obstetrics and women's health has made her keenly aware of the relationship between cultural understanding and providing quality care.

Frickberg-Middleton frequently treats women who have suffered from psychological birth trauma during or after a pregnancy. Although considered a normal life event, the very nature of birthing is unpredictable and can be profoundly traumatic on the psyche of new mothers. It is estimated that up to a third of women are traumatized by one or more aspects of their birth experience, and according to a statement published by the World Health Organization perinatal mental health is the highest ranking issue for women, yet it is the most ignored. Read more.

Birthcircle Provides Support for Postpartum Women

Giving birth to a baby is a life transition that can be incredibly joyful, but unfortunately for many women it can be isolating and difficult. Past generations of women could turn to a built-in network of support from other female family members and close friends who provided wisdom and assistance before, during and after the birth. But as many women move away from their immediate families, finding a network of support to help them through this transition can be important to the health of the mother and the family.

Birthcircle provides a network for moms with the focus on offering caring postpartum support, guidance, and a safe place for encouragement, healing and connection.

Started three years ago by Sarah Ellis, a doula and childbirth educator, and Tienchin Ho, M.D., Birthcircle offers a safe, non-judgmental forum for women to share their experiences, ask questions, or just to listen and be a part of the experience. Read more.

October 7, 2010 — CCPMHC E-Newsletter

Sold-out Perinatal Mental Health Conference Sheds Light on a Dark Subject

"A very touching and resourceful conference."

"I am thrilled that Fresno is focusing attention on this topic and that more services and awareness are being developed."

"This is my first year, but it won't be my last. My compliments for the excellent presenters."

Those are just a few of the comments that were received last April after the Central California Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative hosted its third annual perinatal mental health conference to a sold out crowd of over 300 attendees. The conference featured local and international experts who shared their experience and expertise on the subject of perinatal mental health and depression.

"This conference was started three years ago to provide practical information to individuals who work with pre- and post-natal women to help them better recognize the signs of depression and anxiety and to provide them with the tools to help," said Dr. Conrad Chao, chief of obstetrics and gynecology for University of California, San Francisco Fresno Medical Education program and a member of the Central California Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative. "It is the most common, undiagnosed complication related to pregnancy that quite often affects the mother's ability to fully function." Read more.

Kimberly Wong: Triumph Over Postpartum Depression

Kimberly Wong, a lawyer and legislative/policy advisor to the Los Angeles County Public Defender, is a champion for women and families suffering from pre- and postpartum depression. It is a cause she feels close to and passionate about because she knows how it feels to suffer from the downward spiral of perinatal depression and anxiety.

In May 2003, after the birth of a healthy daughter, the strong, energetic and emotionally stable attorney found herself suffering from anxiety and deep depression that would last for months and require hospitalization and treatment.

"I had a great pregnancy and a fantastic delivery, and then a week after she was born, I stopped being able to sleep, eat or bring a thought to its conclusion," recalls Kimberly. "I called my doctor for help because I didn't realize what was happening to me. He told me that I was a Type A attorney who just needed to relax, prescribed sleeping medication and failed to refer me for further evaluation. From that point on, my decline was very steep and quick. I was crying hysterically. I slept for two hours a night for four nights, leaving me feeling that I wanted to end my life." Read more.

Meet Dr. Oldham

The Central California Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative is pleased to welcome Robert Oldham, M.D. to our community. Dr. Oldham joined the Fresno County Perinatal Mental Health Program in July as the psychiatrist for this new program offered through the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health. The new program was designed to serve pregnant and postpartum women and their families.

"I'm working to get the word out about this new program and what we have to offer," says Dr. Oldham. "I want to reach out to the community to let them know that we have resources here to help and support the providers."

To qualify for the program, clients must:

either be pregnant or have delivered within the last year;
be residents of Fresno County;
either be uninsured or on MediCal;
not have a history of serious mental illness; and
screen positive for a major depressive episode (e.g. score of 10 or higher on the PHQ-9 or Edinburgh screening tools).

Originally from Tennessee, Dr. Oldham most recently served as a Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health Sciences University, in Portland. He brings a strong interest in maternal mental health and perinatal psychiatry and is eager to establish the new perinatal program here in Fresno and to raise awareness about perinatal depression and mental health.

"Women are getting a lot of conflicting messages out there with regards to maternal mental health," says Dr. Oldham. "I'd like to help bring the community together to achieve the same best practices and help the physicians screen and refer." Read more.

July 1, 2010

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