A variety of services for women with pregnancy-related depression is now available in a new facility at West Penn Hospital, the dream of a McCandless man who lost his wife to the condition and those he inspired who want individualized care available to every woman.
West Penn patient Tishla Jones of Lincoln Place said she found herself feeling overwhelmed and distancing herself from others, including her older children, after the birth of her fourth child, now 10 months. She was referred by her obstetrician to be screened for depression and said she has benefited from the expanded services at The Alexis Joy D’Achille Center for Perinatal Mental Health at the Bloomfield hospital. It held its grand opening Tuesday.
“It was good knowing I’m not going through this alone,” Ms. Jones said, praising the program of intensive outpatient care — a program of three hours a day, three times a week. It includes group therapy, mother-child bonding and stress relief techniques. Child care is offered for older children.
“They’re amazing,” she said, adding that women in her family never talked about problems that might arise with a new baby. “I chose group therapy and could bring my baby with me,” she said. She learned ways to bond with her baby, including infant massage, and said she’s shared some helpful techniques, such as mindfulness, with her other kids.
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