More new babies are born in the fall than any other time of year, which also means some new mothers may be heading into winter with what is sometimes called the "baby blues."

But there are new treatment options in Louisiana and elsewhere, including a drug for severe postpartum depression called Zurzuvae. Experts said postpartum depression is more than just the fatigue and life changes that come with being a new parent; it can be a threat to the health and well-being of both the mother and her child.

Dr. Donna O'Shea, OB/GYN and chief medical officer for population health at UnitedHealthcare, advised women who are struggling not to suffer in silence.

"Any women with a history of anxiety or mood disorders, or women who have a family history of depression or postpartum depression, that certainly places them at a higher risk," O'Shea explained. "For not just postpartum blues but for actual postpartum depression."

In 2023, 12% of women in Louisiana reported experiencing postpartum depression after giving birth, according to America's Health ranking, which noted postpartum depression is higher among Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders and Black women compared with white and Latino women.

O'Shea emphasized women from marginalized communities are affected more often by a bout of the "baby blues."

"Women are also at increased risk if they're from under-resourced communities," O'Shea stressed. "There are some women who have little or no social support, and if someone has a history or is currently using substances, they will face higher risks with the pregnancy and after a pregnancy."

She encouraged women to contact their doctors, seek out their personal support network and find out if their company offers an employee assistance program including mental health resources.

"The first thing that's really important is for a woman to recognize that it's OK to ask for help, that it's OK if you're feeling angry, have increased sadness, increased anxiety," O'Shea added. "It's OK to admit it and to look for help and to ask people to help."

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and experts say in recent years, they've seen a rise in diagnoses among women younger than age 40, as well as Asian American women.

Patients should discuss their risk factors, such as family medical history, breast density, age and lifestyle with a doctor. Dr. Tran Ho, a breast surgical oncologist at El Camino Health in Mountain View, sees the issue firsthand.

"If we're thinking about early-stage breast cancers, for example, if it is caught at a very early stage, the five-year survival rates are near 99% for these women, and so patients do enormously well if we can catch these cancers early," she explained.

According to the California Cancer Registry, 25,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, making it the second most common type of cancer among women in the Golden State.

Ho said certain aggressive types of breast cancer are seen in women age 40 and younger - but they respond well with early detection.

"Triple-negative breast cancers or HER-2 positive breast cancers are very treatable. It's just that these types of cancers can grow at a quicker rate, and so they're more likely to recur," she continued.

The good news is that survival rates are improving; surgeries are becoming less invasive, and radiation is now more targeted, which reduces long-term side effects.

A new report sheds light on the state of women's health in Ohio, with growing concerns about maternal care and postpartum mental health.

As September is one of the peak months for births, many new mothers face challenges such as postpartum depression.

Jennifer Winston, health data scientist for U.S. News and World Report, shared insights from the March of Dimes' latest report on maternity care deserts.

"Half of U.S. counties don't have hospitals providing obstetric care and a third don't have a single obstetric clinician," Winston pointed out. "Postpartum depression is a really important part of maternal health care. These closures put a lot of pressure on hospitals, especially in rural areas."

Winston's findings underscored concerns the lack of access to maternal health care services directly affects mental health, particularly for women in rural communities. The gap in care can intensify feelings of isolation and make it harder for new mothers to seek timely help during and after pregnancy.

Experts continue to emphasize the importance of early intervention and comprehensive support for women experiencing postpartum depression.

Dr. Donna O'Shea, OB/GYN and chief medical officer for population health at UnitedHealthcare, stressed the value of both medical and emotional support, encouraging new mothers to reach out if they notice signs of postpartum depression, such as overwhelming sadness, fatigue or feelings of disconnection.

"One in five women experience pregnancy-related mental health conditions," O'Shea noted. "Of women who have postpartum depression, 20% will face suicidal thoughts and even attempt self-harm."

While awareness of postpartum depression continues to grow, O'Shea emphasized improving access to mental health and obstetric care remains a priority. For Ohio mothers, especially those in rural or underserved areas, she said bridging these gaps will be crucial to ensuring their well-being during the postpartum period.

Oregon is in the upper echelon when it comes to the number of women in higher office.

Four of the five statewide elected positions in the state are held by women, including Tina Kotek in the governor's office. It is a rare achievement.

Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, said the national average for women in statewide elected offices is about one in three. However, the number of women in the top positions in Oregon is guaranteed to go down in November, with men running for two of the five offices. Walsh acknowledged it is the nature of politics.

"No state can just say, 'Well, we fixed the problem of women's underrepresentation in politics. We don't need to do the work of recruiting and supporting women to run.'" Walsh stressed. "That work is ongoing."

Men will be facing off in Oregon's Secretary of State and Attorney General races in November. But Walsh noted the state has set a high bar elsewhere too. Women hold half of its Congressional seats and women are in a little more than 40% of the seats in the state legislature.

Walsh pointed out women face a number of barriers to office. While they raise comparable amounts of money to men running in comparable races, they are less likely to self-fund their campaigns. She explained women are more dependent on small donors, which can be good because it means more people are investing in the campaign.

"The flip side of that is that the amount of time and energy and work that it takes to raise $1,000 is just exponentially higher and harder for a candidate who is more dependent on those low level dollars or those low dollar donations," Walsh stressed.

Women running for office has become a big storyline this year with Vice President Kamala Harris' run for president. Walsh noted if she wins, it will be a big breakthrough for women, especially women of color.

"The only downside to seeing a woman elected at the very top is that people then think that the problem is solved because we've elected a woman President of the United States," Walsh added. "Complacency will not get us to gender equity across levels of office."


get more stories like this via email