How to make new parenthood less lonely
Plus: What’s “ventricle”? + Do you know what shingles are?
Welcome to Doing Well. Today:
An interview on how to combat postpartum mental health conditions
A new podcast that will bring you into the lab
Word of the week: ventricle
Shingles and chickenpox are related. Do you know how?
Let’s get started!
We Asked: How can we support new parents through mental health challenges?
Becoming a parent is often a deeply transformative and joyful experience. But the postpartum period can also bring unexpected, real challenges. For many, mental health is one of them. Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal death in the first year after pregnancy, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect about one in seven mothers. Despite how common these conditions are, many parents experience shame, isolation, and a lack of resources when they need support the most.
To better understand why these struggles persist—and how loved ones can make a difference—we spoke with Dr. Rizwana Biviji, professor in the College of Health Solutions and co-founder of the Arizona Maternal Health Policy Coalition. She walked us through the systemic barriers that affect maternal health, the power of community-based support, and practical ways partners, friends, and relatives can show up for new parents.
Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
Short on time? Here’s what to know:
Postpartum support means giving new parents time and space to care not just for their child but also for their own health, friendships, and well-being.
Families and friends should watch for signs of postpartum depression and anxiety—like mood swings or withdrawal—and encourage connecting early with health care providers or support groups. Offering breaks for new parents to have time for themselves or to connect with friends can help reduce isolation.
Digital apps and online communities can help in the postpartum period, but try to choose evidence-based tools and spaces. Look for tools developed or vetted by health care providers or academic institutions, check privacy policies, and avoid apps that track location or share personal data.
Local and virtual support groups can provide safe spaces to share experiences and reduce isolation and loneliness.
Natasha Burrell: The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries—and health outcomes are even worse for those living in rural areas or who are part of a minority group. Why is that?
Rizwana Biviji: There is a huge rural-urban divide. We have maternity deserts, so when it comes to rural areas, there are fewer hospitals, shortage of staff. Our physicians want to be in urban areas because of good pay, more technology, greater reimbursements—so there are fewer facilities available. People have to travel hours for routine care. If you're talking about prenatal care, an average low-risk pregnancy is required to have anywhere between eight to 14 prenatal care visits. But if you are talking about three hours commute, one-way—now we are talking about access barriers.
Similarly, insurance may not be very comprehensive, [it may] not cover those services. For example, in Arizona, AHCCCS (Arizona’s Medicaid agency) does not reimburse outpatient lactation consultants at this time. Within our health care system, there are implicit biases as well—a provider may not be accepting patients on Medicaid; implicit biases also [show up] in terms of race and ethnicity, having stereotypes. The major overarching term over here is access barriers—being able to access the care, being able to afford the care, and the type of care you're receiving.
Another barrier is language. [In] Arizona, many patients are comfortable speaking in Spanish. If they were to go and seek out care, through a lactation consultant or a mental health provider, [does] the facility ha[ve] translators?
NB: Maternal mental health disorders, like postpartum depression and anxiety, are the most common complications of childbirth. What actions can partners, family, and friends take to help reduce loneliness and those factors that contribute to poor mental health?
RB: It does take a village to raise a child. While the focus is more on the child during the postpartum period, it is also the woman who is going through so many changes: hormones, body, this new person, added responsibilities. Ensure that the birthing parent is having the right kind of support, that they are staying healthy. Focus on mindfulness, having their time—whether it is getting some time away from caretaking and spending that time on personal health or friendships, on socializing, or whatever is important for that individual.
Be cognizant of warning signs—mood swings, changes in behavior—and then immediately send the person to a health care provider or establish relation with the right type of support systems. There are a lot of community resources available. For example, we have the Fourth Trimester Arizona. They have villages where postpartum women can come in—it goes up from birth until 5 years, and of all races and ethnicities. They [also] have Black Mama Village, or Hispanic Mama Village. They have different platforms—in-person, virtual. It's inclusivity, sharing your experiences, what you're going through—because more often than not, one mama understands the other mama. There are other organizations as well within Arizona: the Postpartum Support International Arizona chapter, the Tucson Perinatal Mental Health support group. These type of support groups have the space to share, as well as offer evidence-based information [and] resources. You have the space where you can be this new parent who doesn't know everything, and it's OK.
That’s wonderful, because I feel like there's a lot of shame around being a new parent or having a baby.
RB: As a parent myself, you want to do the best for your child. If someone is in a situation where they are not able to breastfeed, [for example,] due to whatever reasons, there is almost an added layer of pressure where the parent feels that they are not doing enough. But then that goes on to the mental health issues or anxiety and stress.
NB: Is there anything you recommend to help combat some of that shame?
RB: Oftentimes this shame, the stigma, does stem from social media. You see people posting, I did this, I did that, I'm having like ‘X’ mL of milk each day. Then you are constantly comparing yourself to these social media influencers. There's misinformation. But on the other side, using digital apps or evidence-based digital apps is good. There are also communities within these apps. I think following the right type of people, being connected with organizations, and gathering information is definitely important.
NB: How can people figure out which apps or communities are safe, evidence-based, and respectful of privacy?
RB: Today, anybody can publish an app. You don't have to be a health care provider, you don't have to be a researcher. If I was to look for an app, the first place to start is to see who is the developer. It could be a private entity, but they have some health care providers who have vetted the content. Oftentimes, the more reputable apps provide within their description that they've partnered with health care professionals, academic institutions. So it's important to read those descriptions as well as user reviews.
Privacy policies are very lengthy, so we tend to just click accept and move on. But I think the key is to review the terms and conditions, the privacy policy, to see: Where is the data shared? How are they storing it? Are they going to share with third-party vendors for advertising? Who is using this data, and [is] the privacy policy clearly stating that? If it isn't, then you may want to think about downloading that app.
Apps tracking your geographic location should be avoided. [Choose] apps which are HIPAA compliant and then GDPR compliant (the General Data Protection Regulation, through the EU). There are user-friendly articles which summarize all of this. Tak[e] advantage of that and then identify the best apps for your purposes.
NB: Returning to work while juggling a newborn, breastfeeding, and even mental health challenges can be very overwhelming. How can parents understand their rights, use workplace policies, and plan ahead to navigate this transition?
RB: Knowing your rights, being cognizant about things like the Family Medical Leave Act, knowing your workplace policies is very, very important. Talk to HR [about] those aspects.
Another thing is knowing about the PUMP Act. Employers are required to offer you reasonable break times as well as space to be able to pump [breast milk]. Constant communication is definitely a good place to start. Have your support system in place.
NB: What can we do to shape policies that improve postpartum care, such as paid leave or better mental health coverage?
RB: Share your story. Advocacy starts when you are showing that there is some issue at the grassroot level—offering testimonies at legislative hearings, maybe sharing my story on social media and tagging the legislator. I think the most important thing is to stay informed, to stay connected, [and] to be part of community organizations which matter to you.
Well-Informed: Related stories from the ASU Media Enterprise archives
The pressure to continue to breastfeed even when things are not going well is routine. In this State of Mind article, Devika Bhushan shares her difficult experience as a pediatrician navigating the complex decision to not breastfeed for the sake of her own mental health.
Well-Versed: Learning resources to go deeper
Lab Coat Optional is the show where everyday curiosity meets advanced research. Each episode features ASU researchers at the forefront of their fields — without the jargon, and definitely without the lab coat. Tune in at labcoatoptional.asu.edu to learn about the research shaping our world.
Well-Read: News we’ve found useful this week
“Health Care Costs for Workers Begin to Climb,” by Reed Abelson, Sep. 5, 2025, the New York Times
“As World Gets Hotter, Americans Are Turning to More Sugar, Study Finds,” by Seth Borenstein, Sep. 8, 2025, the Associated Press
“The Silent Killer Increases Your Risk of Stroke and Dementia. Here’s How To Control It,” by Allison Aubrey, Sep. 7, 2025, NPR
Well-Defined: Word of the week
Ventricle
You may have heard about “ventricular” problems related to the heart or brain. But what’s a ventricle? Generally, ventricles are spaces within the body that send, receive, or store fluid. In the heart, ventricles are the two lower chambers—right and left—that pump blood to other parts of the body. In the brain, there are four ventricles that produce, circulate, and store cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid helps protect the brain and spinal cord from injury and removes waste and toxins, among other important functions.
- Kitana Ford, health communication assistant and ASU student
Well-Engaged:
What percent of Americans born before 1980 had chickenpox, according to the CDC?
Answer choices:
A. 30%
B. 57%
C. 99%
You can find the correct answer at the bottom of today’s newsletter. In the meantime, let’s talk about shingles—a serious illness that can occur decades after a chickenpox infection.
Shingles is an illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox before, that virus stays inactive in your body—but sometimes, it can reactivate to cause shingles.
Some common symptoms of a shingles infection may include, but are not limited to:
A painful rash
Nerve pain
Fever
Headache
Chills
While shingles itself is not contagious, someone with shingles can pass chickenpox to someone who isn’t vaccinated or has never had the virus. Luckily, there is a straightforward way to protect against shingles: Getting two doses of the shingles vaccine if you’re over age 50, or if you’re over age 19 and have a weakened immune system. Learn more about the vaccine and find an appointment near you.
Correct Answer: C. According to the CDC, “more than 99% of Americans born before 1980 had chickenpox, even if they don't remember it.”
-Mel Moore, health communication assistant and ASU student
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