SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — For new and expecting mothers, the month of May is special, and it’s not just because of Mother’s Day. It’s ‘Maternal Mental Health Awareness’ month.
Maternal mental health refers to a mother’s emotional, social, and mental well-being before and during pregnancy, and after welcoming a new baby.
“In fact, it’s the top complication of pregnancy. Pregnancy comes along with so many physical but also emotional changes. And you hear us talk a lot about high blood pressure and diabetes and nausea but mental health really deserves the same attention,” Avera OB Nurse Practitioner Molly Berg said.
1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, while 7 in 10 women hide or downplay their symptoms according to the World Maternal Mental Health Day and Postpartum Support International organizations.
Mom: ‘I hope that my boys are celebrating in paradise’
“I think typically when people talk about mood problems during pregnancy and postpartum, we think of the mom who’s sad and depressed, low mood, doesn’t want to get out of bed, but we’re seeing almost as much, if not more, of anxiety symptoms,” Berg said.
Karla Salem, with Sanford women’s integrated health, says perinatal mood and anxiety disorder symptoms can last up to two years postpartum.
“So folks, who were just busy brained all through their life, at postpartum, are noticing more intense thoughts. Inability to let go of thoughts, coping skills that have worked forever are not working like they used to because of the intensity that happens due to the chemical change,” Sanford women’s integrated health therapist Karla Salem said.
“Oftentimes, moms will complain about feeling just overwhelmed with all the tasks that they need to perform. They’ll tend to self isolate themselves, stay away from social support that they actually really need,” Berg said.
Sioux Falls healthcare professionals urge moms to rely on a support system like close family.
“Sharing your child at a very young age with family and allowing them to start building relationships with them even in infancy is such a cool process. And during that time, women can have a little time just to not be so stimulated,” Salem said.
It is meant to help give moms some time to themselves.
“Not to have to pay attention to 1 to 3 children at a time. Being able to go to the store by themselves, being able to take a walk and not with a stroller or a dog or anything, just to be able to focus on what they’re doing. Those kinds of support systems can be so helpful, even having people around to help you sleep,” Salem said.
Self-care is also important.
“Making sure you have adequate nutrition, frequent healthy type of snacks, staying hydrated, getting some kind of body movement in every day is important. It doesn’t have to be a formal exercise program, but just even going for a walk when the weather’s nice,” Berg said
Medical professionals say struggles can be part of the journey.
“It is all very normal. To have a very busy brain and to be more busy after having babies, as normal as you can get. So I think just assuring people that they’re going to be fine,” Salem said.
“I often tell my patients like they are the captain of the family ship, and if they’re going down, the whole ship is going down. And so don’t wait until you’re completely sinking. If you notice things that are going the wrong direction, say something. We have a lot of resources and moms deserve extra support,” Berg said.
…letting expecting and new moms know they are not alone and help is available.
Salem and Berg both encourage expecting and new moms to reach out to healthcare professionals for help.
For support programs and other resources, click here.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.