New Books in Psychology

Rachel Louise Moran, "Blue: A History of Postpartum Depression in America" (U Chicago Press, 2024)

Jan 2, 2025

In a compelling discussion, Rachel Louise Moran, an associate professor at the University of North Texas, delves into her book on postpartum depression's complex history in America. She reveals how early stigmas shaped women's mental health narratives and how maverick advocates fought to legitimize their experiences. Moran highlights the evolution from trivializing 'baby blues' to recognizing severe mental health challenges, emphasizing the role of women’s activism and the intersection of health, culture, and politics in reshaping perceptions of motherhood.

57:12

Episode guests

Rachel Louise Moran

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The evolution of postpartum depression from being dismissed to gaining recognition highlights the power of advocacy and grassroots movements in transforming public understanding.

Dr. Rachel Moran's personal experiences emphasized the urgent need for better support systems and communication for women's mental health during and after pregnancy.

Deep dives

Historical Evolution of Postpartum Depression Awareness

The discussion highlights the significant transformation in the understanding of postpartum depression from the early 20th century to its eventual recognition by the end of the century. Initially dismissed and ignored, postpartum mental illness became a topic of concern as advocacy groups like Postpartum Support International emerged. These organizations empowered women to reshape narratives surrounding their experiences, creating avenues for self-advocacy within a conservative political structure. This evolution emphasizes the critical role of grassroots activism in elevating an often stigmatized issue to national discourse.

Intro

2min

Evolving Perspectives on Postpartum Mental Health

11min

Historical Perspectives on Postpartum Distress in Mid-20th Century America

4min

Challenging the Narrative: Postpartum Distress in Historical Context

3min

Shifting Views on Postpartum Depression

30min

Exploring the Impact of Advocacy on Postpartum Mental Health

3min

New motherhood is often seen as a joyful moment in a woman’s life; for some women, it is also their lowest moment. For much of the twentieth century, popular and medical voices blamed women who had emotional and mental distress after childbirth for their own suffering. By the end of the century, though, women with postpartum mental illnesses sought to take charge of this narrative.

In Blue: A History of Postpartum Depression in America (U Chicago Press, 2024), Rachel Louise Moran explores the history of the naming and mainstreaming of postpartum depression. Coalitions of maverick psychiatrists, psychologists, and women who themselves had survived substantial postpartum distress fought to legitimize and normalize women’s experiences. They argued that postpartum depression is an objective and real illness and fought to avoid it being politicized alongside other fraught medical and political battles over women’s health.

Based on insightful oral histories and in-depth archival research, Blue reveals a secret history of American motherhood, women’s political activism, and the rise of postpartum depression advocacy amid an often-censorious conservative culture. By breaking new ground with the first book-length history of postpartum mental illness in the twentieth century, Moran brings mothers’ battles with postpartum depression out of the shadows and into the light.

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