Parents

During the course, parents learn:

• Ways to think about and interact with their baby to create an emotionally and physically healthy reality for them.
• Helpful information about their pregnancy and their baby’s development.
• Ways to manage life stress and improve their mood so:
  • Parents can feel better and enjoy life more.
  • Parents can teach your baby how to manage life stress as they grow up.
  • Parents can avoid mood problems such as depression.

• Program Techniques : Mothers and Babies is based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and psychoeducation.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) explores relationships among a person’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Click here for more information.

Psychoeducation is a type of psychosocial treatment that teaches individuals about their mental health and treatments. As it relates to the Mothers and Babies curriculum, we emphasize understanding core CBT concepts (pleasant activities, thoughts, contact with others) and how these concepts relate to one’s mood.

Additional information on psychoeducation

Attachment theory focuses on role that early relationships play in child development, mainly the mother and baby/child relationship.

To look for people/places in your state that provide the Mothers and Babies Program, click here.

No, there are many programs around the United States that are using Mothers and Babies. We are always interested in expanding to other cities, counties, and states so please encourage the agencies around you to contact us.

No, several types of agencies may be using Mothers and Babies. For example, prenatal care clinics, WIC clinics, and Headstart programs all use Mothers and Babies. You may want to talk to the agency you are receiving services from about whether they are interested in using Mothers and Babies.

Right now, there are many home visiting programs across the United States that are using Mothers and Babies as a way to help pregnant women and new mothers manage stress in their lives. Home visiting (HV) programs serve over 500,000 pregnant women and new mothers across the United States, with this number continuing to grow every year.

Click here for more information.

Click here to learn more about home visiting in your state.

Please e-mail us at mothersandbabies@northwestern.edu.

Click Here to Find Support in Your Area

Depression during and after pregnancy is the most common complication associated with pregnancy and childbirth, with higher prevalence rates than gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor, or hypertension.

Approximately 10-15% of women will experience postpartum depression. These percentages are higher for women facing poverty. An additional 40-50% of low-income women are estimated to have elevated depressive symptoms, and therefore are at risk for developing postpartum depression.

Depression during pregnancy is called antepartum or prenatal depression, and depression after pregnancy is called postpartum depression.

Common Mood Problems
Common Mood Problems – Spanish

Additional Information on PPD

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Postpartum Support International
• March of Dimes
• Postpartum Education for Parents