Sonia Murdock – Why I Care About Perinatal Mood Disorders
While at work, I had received a frantic call from my Mother. “We must hurry and get to the hospital. Lyrae had to be brought to the Emergency Room.” What had happened? Is she going to be okay? Is she hemorrhaging? Does she have an infection with a high fever? What could it be? She just had a baby three weeks ago.
Once we arrived at the ER and mentioned who we were there to see, the demeanor of the nursing staff changed. The seriousness of the situation was immediately felt. My Mom and I were quickly escorted down a hallway to a secluded area in the ER. The nurse slowly opened the door and we saw my sister sitting on the hospital bed. By the look on her face, it appeared as if she didn't know who we were or she didn't trust us. She initially did not say anything to us. She just stared. “What does she have? Why is this happening? She just had a baby.”
Distraught to see my sister Sylvia Lyrae in this way, I then went to wait in the ER's family waiting room when someone came in. “Don't worry. Your sister will be okay. I once saved my sister from throwing her baby out the window.” I was startled. I thought, What do you know about my sister? I was mortified and angry to think this person would compare my sister to someone like that. My sister was not like one of “those women.” My sister is a loving and caring person. She and her husband wanted this baby and were so ecstatic from the moment they found out about the pregnancy. How dare someone say something like that to me! This individual went about the room, making sure the magazines on the table were straightened, the room was clean and taking care of the daily business of emptying the trash, “Your sister will be okay” were the words expressed on the way out the doorway.
Looking back this person was right on from personal experience to provide me with comfort and hope. I just did not realize it at the time. None of the hospital staff provided educational information, comfort or hope – not my sister's OB/GYN, the pediatrician, the hospital nursing staff, the social worker at the family meeting in the psych unit when my sister was admitted, nor the psychiatrist and psychiatric staff. Our first Guardian Angel, the member of the Housekeeping Staff did.
I finally found help through Postpartum Support International and am thankful for the help they provided. Especially grateful to Jane Honikman, Founding Director who became our family's lifeline. I no longer felt as if we were alone. She gave us words of support and hope for my sister, she “named” the illness (postpartum psychosis) and directed us to healthcare providers who specialized in treating mothers' mental health.
It was this experience, this first-hand witness to the injustice in the way my sister was initially treated, which compelled me to take action to help women and their families experiencing perinatal mood disorders. So since that time, I have devoted myself to helping women and families by speaking with and educating others. I share from my personal and professional experiences to help others also learn what they can do to help so women and families will not feel alone, will have hope and a happy outcome. Everyone plays an important role in Building a Perinatal Mood Disorders Safety Net in the Community. I look forward to working with those interested in making a positive difference. It is critical that perinatal mood disorders be taken seriously and addressed to save lives and build healthy families.