By Brittni Barcase
Maternal mental health is extremely important and, unfortunately, not talked about in the “soon-to-be-moms-club” often enough. As a newly pregnant woman I had NO idea what I was up against (PPA/PPD, etc.). Maybe there was a book somewhere that I should’ve read but, I didn’t.
During my first pregnancy I worried about my weight. Constantly. I struggled with my body image and an ED for years prior and, although I thought I was “cured”, the inevitable weight gain from pregnancy really triggered me. Not to mention the constant doctor appointments where they track your weight gain and tell you “Only gain X” so when you hit that mark, and add 20lbs to it, you just worry all the time.
Sigh.
Brittni Barcase is a Health Educator at Jewish Community Services
The Mental Well, an initiative of JCS, is an online community for young adults, created by young adults, who are navigating the highs and lows that accompany their 20s and 30s. To learn more, visit thementalwellblog.org or email thementalwell@jcsbaltimore.org.
JCS is a comprehensive human services organization providing a broad range of services that meet the diverse, multi-dimensional needs of individuals and families throughout Central Maryland. To learn more, visit jcsbalt.org or 410-466-9200.
