Partial Hospitalization Program Helps New Mom Find Joy Post-Partum
Wife, Mother, Partial Hospitalization Patient
"I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the staff was incredibly friendly and warm. They welcomed me and made me feel comfortable immediately."
Genevieve (Gen) Dole, a relationship representative for her hometown credit union, has coped with anxiety and depression most of her life. She was not a stranger to therapies and medications. But when her first child was born, she was not prepared for the weight of post-partum depression that hit her immediately afterward. It got to a point where she made a suicide plan. She was admitted to inpatient programs twice for her own safety, but it was the MyMichigan Medical Center Alma Psychiatric Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) that taught her the coping skills to enjoy life as an individual and as a mom.
“No one prepares you for the darkness that post-partum depression can bring,” said Dole. “There is so much focus on preparing for childbirth physically with an expectation to automatically, naturally feel maternal, but that wasn’t the case for me.”
Dole had a high-risk pregnancy that included gestational diabetes. At 39 weeks, she was induced and when no progression resulted, a C-section was required. Her baby boy was healthy, but Dole wasn’t able to celebrate it. “I don’t remember much of those first days aside from feeling terrified and scaring other patients,” she said. “My heart rate was through the roof and I couldn’t get warm. I felt like my mind and body were out of control, and I honestly didn’t want to live. I spent five days in the hospital.”
Dole reports to having intense feelings that were unexpected: being uncomfortable with the baby, an absence of joy, feeling pessimistic about the future and mourning the life she had before her son was born. Then came the guilt associated with those uncontrollable feelings.
“There is so much guilt with post-partum depression,” she said. “You know that your feelings and thinking are skewed, but you can’t turn it off and no one wants to talk about it. It’s awful.”
Thanks to the nurses in the maternity unit who recognized her symptoms, she was connected to professionals who were able to help her get through that dangerous time. Unfortunately, the gains she made didn’t last; she had a second inpatient stay later that year. Recently, a psychiatrist new to Dole recommended she try something different: participating in MyMichigan’s PHP program.
Alma’s PHP program offers daily treatment sessions that allow patients to go home each evening to put into action what they’ve learned. There are small group and one-on-one sessions with support from Michelle Lucchesi, M.A., Louise St. John, R.N., and Dr. Rangwani, psychiatrist, who all work closely with local psychiatrists, therapists and primary care providers for extended patient care.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the staff was incredibly friendly and warm. They welcomed me and made me feel comfortable immediately,” said Dole. She praised the program’s staff and techniques: a laid-back environment, art therapy and deep connections made with others in group therapy. She commented on the importance of the end goal, which is a manageable life outside the program.
“As an inpatient, time stops,” Dole explained. “All your daily stressors are eliminated, and you focus only on what’s in front of you. With this program, you get to spend evenings in your regular life and put what you learned that day to the test. You also get to help other members of your group. It’s not exhausting, it’s heartwarming.”
Dole continues working on herself, working at a job she enjoys and will soon celebrate her son’s second birthday. Her husband continues to “urge me at all times to take care of myself” and stays by her side. She wants to be an example for other moms who may be struggling.
“I understand how scary it can be to ask for help,” she said. “I’m so grateful to have been connected to MyMichigan’s PHP program in Alma and recommend it to anyone when things become unmanageable.”
The MyMichigan Health PHP programs in Alma and Midland accept voluntary self-referrals, community or physician referral. Sessions are held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in more information on the Alma program may call (989) 466-3253. Those interested in more information on MyMichigan’s comprehensive behavioral health programs may visit www.mymichigan.org/mentalhealth.
Those who believe someone is in imminent danger of taking their own life, call 911 immediately. Those seeking help are encouraged to call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Those in crisis can also text “hello” to 741-741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
