By Naomi Nolte-Carroll, WIC Marketing Data Coordinator, American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties 

According to the California Department of Public Health, one in five women in California has symptoms of depression during or after pregnancy. More Black and Latina women are affected, as well as women who don’t have support from family and friends. This can happen to any woman regardless of age, income, culture or education. Depression during and after pregnancy can lead to problems, such as breastfeeding and bonding issues, but help is available and most women who get treatment for their depression make a full recovery.  

Postpartum Mental Health 

The March of Dimes defines postpartum depression as a medical condition that many women get after having a baby. It’s strong feelings of sadness, anxiety (worry) and tiredness that last for a long time after giving birth. These feelings can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and your baby and needs treatment to get better. 

The American Red Cross WIC offers referrals for pregnant and postpartum women to mental health services on their website at: sandiegowic.org/referrals under “Mental Health.”. Partners include the San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance and NAMI San Diego. 

Getting Enough Physical Activity 

It’s no secret that regular physical activity is good for your physical and mental well-being, but it can be hard to keep up a regular exercise routine.  

It’s normal to have questions, like: 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends different levels of activity for different groups. For pregnant and postpartum women, the recommendation is to get at least 150 minutes (for example, 30 minutes 5 days a week) of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week, such as brisk walking. 

That much physical activity can seem like a lot, but you don’t have to do it all at once. It’s best to spread it out over the week, and you can even split it into smaller chunks during the day. Two 15-minute walks a day or even three 10-minute walks can seem more manageable than going for 30 minutes in one go.  

The American Red Cross WIC offers tips on how to reach the recommended daily amount of physical activity, including advice for pregnant and postpartum women. 

Learn more about key recommendations for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.  

American Red Cross WIC 

If you’re pregnant or have a child under five, the team at American Red Cross WIC provides: 

Visit their website to learn more, at: https://sandiegowic.org/