After Pregnancy 

Postnatal health

Best Start’s Healthy Start for Baby and Me book describes the physical changes you can expect from your body after birth. 

Postnatal mental health 

It is normal to have a wide range of changing emotions after the birth of your baby. 

Childbirth can be exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time, but one thing for certain it is a very emotional time for families. It is not uncommon for new moms to experience crying spells and feeling sad, irritable and frustrated as well as fatigued within three to five days after delivery. If this lasts for more than two weeks or is severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, it is time to seek help. You may be experiencing something known as postpartum mood disorder (PPMD). This disorder can manifest itself in different ways such as anxiety, depression and, in extreme cases, psychosis.

We all struggle from time to time and research is showing that PPMD not only affects the mom but also her partner and the family as a whole. The sooner you get support, the better things will be for your family. Part of the Timiskaming Health Unit's Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program is to ensure the best possible outcomes for parents and their children. We offer help for families that might be suffering from postpartum mood disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling after the birth of a new baby, please call the Timiskaming Health Unit 705-647-4305 or toll free 1-866-747-4305 and ask to speak to a Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse. If you feel you need immediate help, please reach out to the local CMHA Crisis Line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll free at 1-888-665-8888.