The Motherhood Effect: It’s physical and emotional

GREEN BAY, Wis (WGBW) – Mother’s Day is this weekend. Many choose to honor the emotional and mental sacrifices made in the journey of motherhood. But what about the physical sacrifices?

Women have been giving birth and becoming mothers since the beginning of time. While it is just a part of the circle of life, it isn’t always easy. And the experience is different for every person who has ever given birth. Dr. Kristin Lyerly says having an OB-GYN or primary care physician is key to a healthy mom, physically and emotionally.

“Anxiety and depression are huge in pregnancy and the postpartum period. We (health care providers) can help connect you to the resources that you need in order to have the best possible outcome,” Lyerly said. “Everybody’s pregnancy is different, so you need to make sure that your care is tailored specifically to you.”

Lyerly stressed that the effects of pregnancy on a woman’s body take a while to resolve.

“It’s not joyful for everyone. It is for many people, but not for everyone. And importantly, it’s not over when the baby comes out. It takes a year for your body to recover from a pregnancy,” she said.

Recovery from pregnancy is not just physical, although you must give your body time to bounce back. It is also mental and emotional.

“This is the number one reason why women die, by the way, in the postpartum period, because they have untreated depression and anxiety, mental health issues that they can’t get access to care for.” 

Lyerly went on to say, “And in Wisconsin, we deny many women access to care. We take away their health insurance at two months postpartum.”

Dr. Kristin Lyerly is an OB-GYN who hosts the Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show on all Civic Media stations each weekend.

Hear more of her interview on the physical effects of motherhood on the body on NEWisco Weekend, Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m. on WISS and WGBW or at Civicmedia.us