Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately one in seven women, posing significant challenges for new mothers and their families. Unfortunately, suicide remains a leading cause of death in women during the first year postpartum. A recent segment on CBS New’s Eye on America highlighted innovative approaches to treating PPD.
As doulas, it is vital we be aware of all options for navigating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) including PPD. We do not diagnose or treat PMADs. However, we should be aware of options and resources so we can direct families in the right direction for treatment and support.
CBS News highlighted Fourth Tri Sanctuary in Ferndale, Michigan. This place offers a holistic approach to support new mothers during this transformative period, including doula care.
Understanding Postpartum Depression
PPD is more than just the “baby blues.” It encompasses severe mood swings, exhaustion, and feelings of hopelessness that can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself and her baby. Despite its prevalence, many women do not receive the necessary support and treatment.
CBS News highlighted the hurdles many US parents face when preventing or treating PMADs. Despite around 14% of new parents experiencing postpartum depression, insurance companies, public health, and society as a whole continues to fail to provide adequate support.
Perhaps most frustrating about it, the supports exist, but not all families can access them. Not all insurance companies offer mental health support via therapy. Those that do, sometimes require patients to pay out of pocket before being reimbursed.
Many other developed countries offer health visitors, subsidized nanny services, and even postpartum doula care. The lack of support in the US likely plays a significant role in the frequency and duration of PMADs.
Innovative PPD Treatment – Fourth Tri Sanctuary
In response to the pressing need for comprehensive postpartum care, Fourth Tri Sanctuary in Ferndale, Michigan, offers a holistic approach to support new mothers during this transformative period.
Founded by Melissa Scodellaro, a mother of two and co-owner of Bombshell Salon, the sanctuary aims to provide a comfortable and supportive transition into parenthood.
In an interview with CBS 3, they shared why they exist and how they help parents. However, they also shared that not all families can access these services. While they want to help all families, their mental health providers, doulas, instructors, etc., obviously deserve fair pay. They rely on donations to provide scholarships to families in need of support.
Until health insurance or government increases access to true support, however, access to care will continue to have significant disparities.
Services Offered at Fourth Tri Sanctuary
- Rest & Recovery: The sanctuary provides private rest areas, a cozy social lounge, luxurious showers, custom infant washing stations, and spa services, including acupuncture, postpartum massages, manicures, and vitamin shots.
- Nourishment: A nursing-neutral café and grocery store offer custom menu items inspired by Ayurvedic traditions to support postpartum recovery, alongside a wide selection of nutritious items for families to enjoy at home.
- Education: Expert-curated, evidence-based activities include classes on pelvic floor health, strength, relaxation, expressive art, intimacy, and mental health, designed to support new moms through the physical, emotional, and spiritual transitions of motherhood.
- Community: The sanctuary fosters an environment that encourages organic and thoughtful conversations among mothers, allowing guests to share their concerns, fears, and joys.
Addressing PPD at Fourth Tri Sanctuary:
Recognizing the importance of mental health, Fourth Tri Sanctuary offers resources and support to address PPD:
- Experts: The sanctuary collaborates with professionals who have developed over 30 concise classes covering essential topics beneficial to both short-term recovery and long-term emotional health. These classes address areas such as pelvic floor recovery and signs of postpartum mood disorders.
- Mental Health Support: By providing a supportive community and access to mental health resources, the sanctuary aims to reduce the isolation often associated with PPD, ensuring mothers receive the care and attention they need.
Fourth Tri Sanctuary offers innovative postpartum depression and general postpartum care. By addressing both the physical and emotional needs of new mothers, they can improve the postpartum period. As a doula, being aware of resources like this, can help you provide information to your clients about available options.
However, we also know not all families we serve will have access to these services. Knowing what is offered there can help us tailor our services to incorporate more support that’s still within our scope of practice.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...