Postpartum depression risk factors

Kimberly Wong, Postpartum Depression Activist, explains the various risk factors associated with postpartum depression that make a postpartum depression onset more likely. Learn how your health, history, and genetics can influence your risk of postpartum depression.
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Postpartum depression risk factors

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Well, there are definitely risk factors that all women in the family should be aware of regarding postpartum depression and before I list them, I should also note that having a pregnancy and birth for your first, second or third child at any time postpartum depression, or depression or anxiety during pregnancy can present itself for the first time with, for example, the birth of the third child. And some of the risk factors include: having a prior history of depression or a mood disorder and also having a prior history of being a domestic violence victim, having had an abortion, having a loss, a miscarriage, still birth, having a family member who has a mental illness, having a difficulty in general sleeping – so those women who are unable to sleep in general are at risk of having postpartum depression or related mood disorder. In addition, having lost your parent, especially your mother, early in childhood is another risk factor. And so it’s important that families prepare, that they have discussions early so that they can form a game plan that accesses resources and support in their local communities.

Kimberly Wong, Postpartum Depression Activist, explains the various risk factors associated with postpartum depression that make a postpartum depression onset more likely. Learn how your health, history, and genetics can influence your risk of postpartum depression.

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Kimberly Wong

Postpartum Depression Activist

Kimberly Wong, Founder and Co-Chair of the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force, has been an attorney with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office for 17 years and serves as Special Counsel/Legislative Analyst to the Public Defender. Kimberly co-chairs the Legislative Issues Committee of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council and is a member of the Council’s Executive Committee. As a result of suffering life-threatening postpartum depression in 2003, after her recovery, Kimberly focused on volunteer activity to promote awareness and to increase knowledge about maternal depression. She volunteered as a phone support volunteer through Postpartum Support International and then served on the Board of PSI for three years. 

In February 2007, Ms. Wong formed and currently co-chairs the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force, a network of over 30 individuals representing more than 15 public and private agencies involved in outreach, screening, and treatment services for perinatal depression and related mood disorders, along with community leaders, research partners, and advocates for mothers, infants, and families. The mission of the Task Force is to create an infrastructure in Los Angeles County to address perinatal mood disorders through education, universal screening and linkage to informed services, with particular focus on high risk women and girls, including those who are court involved, substance abusers and domestic violence victims. The Task Force is a project of Community Partners, its 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. 

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