Mental Health Matters

Loading...

Mental Health Matters

September 14, 2026

September is Suicide Prevention awareness month. Many changes occur during and after pregnancy to women’s bodies, minds, and lifestyles. Some changes are normal and expected as your body changes and you adjust to life with a new baby.

Perinatal depression/anxiety affects approximately 1 in 5 pregnant women and partners. It is important to know what to expect and when to reach out for mental and emotional help during these times. Symptoms can start anytime during the perinatal period and they may differ for each person and potentially worsen in the postpartum period. They might include the following:

• Feelings of anger, irritability and/or rage

• Lack of interest in the baby

• Disturbances of sleep and appetite

• Crying and sadness

• Feelings of guilt, shame or hopelessness

• Loss of interest, joy or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

• Possible thoughts of harming the baby or yourself

Iberia Medical Center’s Obstetrics and Behavioral Health Services teams work together to maintain the mental health of moms during such a vulnerable time.

Please reach out to the National Maternal Health Hotline (For emotional support and resources, call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) 24/7), your provider, or our Behavioral Health Services team if you ever have any of these signs and symptoms. You are not alone. We are here to help.

Behavioral Health Services at Iberia Medical Center – 337-376-5713

Obstetrics Clinic at Iberia Medical Center – 337-256-8779

Need a provider? https://www.iberiamedicalcenter.com/find-a-provider

Back

LaPQC Birth Ready Designation

Sep 3, 2024

1 min read

We've been delivering babies for more than 60 years, specializing in a highly personalized, memorable birthing experience.

We're proud that Iberia Medical Center has been renamed a ‘Birth Ready’ facility. This prestigious designation means our physicians and staff have met rigorous standards in the care of women giving birth. The LaPQC Birth Ready Designation recognizes facilities’ consistent, thoughtful healthcare and quality improvement work.

“I believe that this designation indicates that IMC places maternal health as a top priority in our community. In IMC's Maternal Child Care department, we strive to give our patients excellent care. Our team is dedicated to achieving this by working with the LaPQC through collaborative learning, health disparity and patient partnerships, ‘best practice’ policies and procedures, patient education and outcome and process measures. This designation places our facility in an elite category regarding the health and wellbeing of our obstetrical patients, and we are incredibly proud of that,” states Randi Bergeron BSN, RNC-OB, Maternal Child Director.

The ‘Birth Ready’ Designation is just one of the ways Iberia Medical Center is centered on excellence for maternal care.

Learn more about having a baby at Iberia Medical Center https://www.iberiamedicalcenter.com/services/obstetrics