Families USA Recognizes Maternal Mental Health Week and the Stories of Moms Who’ve Been There

As we approach Mother's Day, we also mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (May 4-8), which brings attention to an issue that is often overlooked or minimized: maternal mental health.

The postpartum period brings immense hormonal, physical, and emotional change. While some, even in the medical community, refer to these emotional changes as the "baby blues," that phrase can diminish the very real pain and trauma that many women experience during a time that they are told should be the happiest of their lives. For many mothers, the reality is far more complex.

Whether it's your first child or your fifth, the time during and after pregnancy can be isolating, disorienting, and deeply challenging. And while awareness of maternal mental health has grown, our health care system is still struggling to keep up and meet the needs of new moms and their babies. There has been progress, such as expanded postpartum coverage through Medicaid and new resources like the National Maternal Health Hotline, but there is still more work to do to make sure our health care system better supports moms and promotes maternal mental health.

To really break down this issue and what it means for women and families, Families USA spoke to mothers about their pregnancy journeys and navigating their maternal mental health needs. And what's more, these moms have come out stronger, learned to advocate for themselves and their mental health, and have used the resources discussed in this blog to get through one of life's most challenging and mind-bending experiences.

Finding Support When It's Hard to Ask for Help

For many new mothers, even those with a strong support system and postpartum coverage, it can be hard to understand what's normal and what's not, and when you need to ask for help. Launched in 2022, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline - - offers free, confidential, 24/7 support for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

In the weeks before giving birth, Kiersten prepared carefully, gathering as much information as possible about what her baby would need, and resources to help with lactation and breastfeeding. But one thing that she didn't anticipate was needing support for her own mental health.

"Since it was around the holidays, when doctor's appointments can be scarce, I used the hotline regularly, to talk about what I was experiencing, and hear the words of comfort I needed most. Talking to the counselors and hearing those simple but important affirmations like, 'me too' or 'that happened with us' and 'I remember when…' - it was a huge help to know that I was not alone in my feelings. Hearing from a professional on the other end of the line, 'it's okay… we're okay' was exactly what I needed."

That sense of connection in moments of uncertainty is so important during the postpartum period. For mothers experiencing isolation, stress, or distress, having someone available to listen, without judgement, can make all the difference.

Friday, May 8, is the four-year anniversary of this hotline. For more information on how to access the hotline or share with any new moms in your life, visit HRSA's National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Why Coverage Matters

Access to care is another critical piece of the maternal mental health puzzle.

Medicaid is the cornerstone of maternal health in the United States, covering 41% of all births nationwide, including approximately 65% of births by Black moms. In recent years, the federal government has provided states with the option to extend their Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12-months, acknowledging that almost one-third of maternal deaths take place more than six weeks postpartum, and mothers need greater support and access to care, including mental health care. Today, all but one state, Arkansas, has taken the opportunity to extend their coverage.

For Hillary, a mother of three from Sikeston, Missouri, Medicaid has played a crucial role in ensuring that she and her family have what they need to stay safe and healthy, both mentally and physically.

"I dealt with postpartum depression after birthing my third child, juggling a divorce, and a new phase of life. Medicaid ensured that I had the correct medicine and therapy that I myself needed… to help me thrive and be my best self, not only for myself, but for my children."

Hillary is not alone; maternal mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 mothers, including nearly 40% of Black mothers. They are a leading cause of maternal deaths. Yet, stigma, gaps in care, and systemic barriers often prevent women from receiving the support they need. Known as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), these conditions can have a lasting impact not only on mothers, but on their babies and families.

These challenges are even more pronounced for Black mothers, who, due to structural racism and inequities in the social drivers of health, experience maternal mental health conditions at twice the rate of white mothers but are half as likely to receive care the care they need. Addressing these unjust disparities requires not only expanding coverage but also confronting the structural inequities that shape health outcomes.

Advocating for Care that Supports the Whole Person

Maternal mental health is not just about access - it's also about being heard.

Pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period involve countless decisions, and respectful, thoughtful care requires that patients feel empowered to advocate for themselves. But that's not always easy, especially when medical systems or health care providers are dismissive.

For Erin, that advocacy became deeply personal.

After two traumatic births under general anesthesia due to a history of preeclampsia, Erin wanted a different experience with her third child.

"I was incredibly motivated to advocate for myself more forcefully in order to seek a birth experience that not only prioritized my physical health and safety - but also my mental health. Being under general anesthesia for the delivery caused me to feel very disconnected from the births. Since I had delivered twice under general anesthesia, my doctors were inclined to deliver that way again, but I knew that if it was at all possible, I wanted to be awake for the birth and to be with my husband, who had not been allowed in the operating room for either prior delivery."

Despite resistance, Erin advocated for herself throughout her pregnancy, requesting additional imaging to confirm spinal anesthesia could be safely placed and that she would be able to deliver via VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Her persistence paid off. She was ultimately able to pursue a birth plan that aligned with her needs and priorities.

"I finally got the birth moment I wanted and got to meet my son the moment he entered the world. It was everything I hoped it would be, made even more powerful because of how hard I fought to make it happen."

There is growing evidence suggesting that giving birth under general anesthesia may be associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression. Erin's experience highlights how important it is for patients to feel informed and empowered to make decisions that support both their physical and mental health.

For additional resources about self-advocacy during pregnancy, visit the National Partnership for Women and Families Childbirth Connection, which includes information about how to ask questions to your providers. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists' also has useful information.

Patients can also consider utilizing doula care during and after pregnancy. Doulas serve as non-clinical advocates, providing emotional, physical, and informational support. The National Health Law Program offers helpful information about Medicaid coverage through its Doula Medicaid Project, and Families USA has also published recent resources on this topic.

Moving Forward

Maternal mental health is not a niche issue. It affects millions of mothers, their families, communities, and future generations. And while progress has been made, awareness alone is not enough.

We need continued investment in resources like the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, extended access to postpartum coverage, and a health care system that treats mental health as an essential part of maternal health care - not an afterthought.

Importantly, we also need to normalize conversations about maternal mental health. No mother should feel alone in what she's experiencing, or unsure of where to turn for help.

This Mother's Day and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, alongside celebrating the mothers in our lives, we commit to supporting them, by listening, advocating, and ensuring that they have access to the care that they need and deserve.