Here's a roundup of what's going on out there in the world of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders this week ...Cate at 18 Years and Counting is suffering from postpartum depression and anxiety and needs a Warrior Moms Virtual Hug. Here's a post she just wrote about her obsessions and fears.

Today, America's mothers, infants and families have reason to be encouraged and to reach out to their state senators to again request their support of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act in its final push to passage. YOU HAVE BEEN HEARD and this morning, Majority Leader Reid introduced a package of bills called Advance America's Priorities Act which now includes The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.

One area I don't like to talk about is hospitalization. I don't know why. It's like the ultimate embarrassment for me or something that at one point I had to be hospitalized in a mental hospital (UGH!) for depression. It was only for a few days, but it's one thing of which I have to say I still feel slightly ashamed. If our society considered mental illness a physical illness, then of course I wouldn't be ashamed, because there is nothing at all wrong with being sick and having to go to the hospital.

There is a ridiculous campaign being waged through petitions and blogs right now to block passage of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression. I am truly peeved and disappointed at the breathless, hysterical ranting going on about the MOTHERS Act. Many of those who oppose it seem to have done LITTLE to NOTHING to inform themselves about the actual bill and the organizations that support it. Falsehoods are being spread. Here are some examples:

FEBRUARY 14, at 10am, the Senate's HELP committee will mark up the new Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Bill ... Let's ask the HELP committee to send a Valentine to America's mothers by finishing up the bill and sending it to the Senate floor for a final vote. 

Today I'm thrilled to share the podcast of an interview I just conducted, in partnership with Blogher, with former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson. 

Quick, guess which number is higher:  the number of people who sprain their ankle each year or the number of women who experience a postpartum mood disorder?  Actually, it's about equal.  Surprised?

On behalf of BlogHer, I am pleased to announce that I will soon be interviewing Valerie Plame Wilson about her experience with postpartum depression.  We are very fortunate that she was willing to share her story so openly in her new book "Fair Game", in which she dedicates a chapter to the birth of her twins in 2000 and her ensuing struggle with PPD.  This interview is part of BlogHers Act's focus on maternal health in 2007 and 2008, as we continue to join Postpartum Support International in urging Congress to pass the MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression education, research and treatment. BlogHer readers, while we're getting ready for this exciting upcoming event, we'd like to ask for your help!  What questions would you like to ask Valerie with regard to her postpartum experience?  Please post your questions in the comment section as soon as possible so that we have them for the interview.  Thanks!

When I think about the shoddy way that new moms are treated in the United States, it is no wonder that so many women end up postpartum depression.  We get so little support and so little time to recover and figure out what the heck we're supposed to be doing in this new role with this new little, breakable person who came without a background file.

Only a woman who has been through postpartum depression can truly, deeply understand.   It's that way with most things, isn't it?  I can certainly empathize and try to imagine what it is like to have cancer, but I haven't gone through it and cannot put myself squarely in that place.  That's why we postpartum mood disorder survivors need each other so, and why so many of us dedicate a portion of our lives to helping other women who will as surely as death and taxes experience the same thing.

We're doing great so far, but I hope more of you will take the time to join us. I've heard from women who say today is the first day they've ever spoken up about this issue. What an amazing day! Here's the list of participants I have so far. Please join this list of fabulous women (and a few men):

Today is Blog for the MOTHERS Act Day, sponsored by Postpartum Progress, BlogHer and Postpartum Support International!  Ladies, please get blogging!!  Your actions today will make a difference in the lives of all the new mothers created each and every day in America. The truth is that our country is more than capable of treating more women more quickly and more effectively when it comes to postpartum mood disorders.  We can do it.  We just don't.  All it takes is will.  A willingness among healthcare providers to further educate themselves and to screen for these illnesses.  A willingness among insurers to help cover costs.  A willingness among all those involved with childbirth education to lay out the truth.