Enjoying Your First Holiday Season as a Mom
Tiffany Ruffin, PsyD is a UH psychologist who cares for women dealing with a high-risk pregnancy. We know that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are the most common complications for women during pregnancy and for up to a year after. We talked with Dr. Ruffin about how new mothers can balance their mental health and a busy holiday season.
Mom Question: RSV, the flu and COVID are spreading, yet everyone wants me to pass around my infant. How can I politely tell them no?
Dr. Rufffin: Give yourself permission to set boundaries and permission to say no. Sometimes we really need that permission from ourselves to say no. It might not be a comfortable feeling. But I encourage you to sit with the feeling. It’s okay to feel guilty. Mom guilt is real! But just because you feel guilty, doesn’t mean you are guilty of doing anything wrong. Your infant’s health is more important that another family member’s feelings.
Also, there’s help for parents (yes, dads too) facing PAMDs. You can call or text the Maternal Health Hotline at 1-833-943-5746. Or to schedule an appointment at UH Behavioral Health, call us at 816-404-5709 (downtown KC) OR 816-404-6170 (Lee’s Summit).