Day Programs | Mother & Baby Program
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Mother & Baby Program FAQs
The Mother & Baby Program is a daily, short-term, intensive treatment program for women experiencing a Perinatal Mood Disorder. The program is for pregnant women and women who are postpartum. For many women in this program, seeing a therapist 1-2 times a week is not enough. Symptoms can include: high anxiety, worsened depression, inability/lack of desire to care for the baby, difficulty with day to day activities, thoughts of self-harm or other scary thoughts.
FAQs for Patients & Families
Perinatal Mood Disorders can impact women of all ages, races, income levels, education and backgrounds. We welcome all women ages 18 and up into this program.
Yes, you can bring your baby age eight months and younger to the program. You can bring your baby with you to treatment groups or utilize our nursery staff to assist in the care of your infant. Some of the programming will include mother and baby activities to help build and promote a good relationship. We do not provide formal child care – you need to be able to provide basic care for your baby while at the program, but our staff is available to assist you as needed. Childcare for children nine months and older may be able to be arranged through our partnership with the Safe Families Program operated by Bethany Christian Services.
FAQs For Professionals
The Mother & Baby Program is for women who are experiencing a Perinatal Mood Disorder during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period. They must meet criteria for partial hospitalization and cannot be adequately treated through traditional outpatient services. Criteria is assessed through individual assessment at the Pine Rest Admission department. Some examples of symptoms include: collapse in functioning, significant depression, suicidal or homicidal ideation, debilitating anxiety and bipolar symptoms. Other symptoms specific to women with Perinatal Mood Disorders could include: intrusive thoughts, obsessive thinking and an inability to care for self or others including the baby. Women must be able to remain safe at home in the evening and on weekends and have an adequate support system to ensure their safety.
Women who have experienced perinatal loss related to the most recent pregnancy (miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death) are not appropriate referrals to the program.
Women who have history of perinatal loss and have another pregnancy are eligible for this program.
Women who are experiencing psychosis may need inpatient services before attending the Mother & Baby program.
Pine Rest participates with almost all major insurance plans. Co-pays and deductibles vary. Patients with Medicaid or no insurance must be referred by their local Community Mental Health.
No, due to licensing guidelines, we are only able to serve women ages 18 years and older. Teenage parents with depression could participate in our adolescent partial or inpatient programs if they meet criteria.
Yes, we can accommodate babies eight months and younger in the program. Women can bring the baby with them to treatment groups or utilize our nursery staff to assist in the care of their infant. We do not provide formal child care – women need to be able to provide basic care for their baby while at the program. We are not able to accommodate siblings / children older than eight months of age at this time and recognize that this may be a barrier for some families.
No, women do not have to bring their baby with them; however, some programming will include mother and baby activities to help promote healthy interactions and attachment.
The program operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Women will participate in 90 minutes of group therapy daily focusing specifically on the needs of women with Perinatal Mood Disorders. Women will also attend educational groups to build skills in areas such as coping, self-care, nutrition, infant soothing skills and mother–baby interaction. Individual assessment and family meetings are also part of the treatment model. Professional lactation support is available as needed.
Patients in the program meet with a psychiatrist upon admission and at scheduled times before, after or during the program day. Our clinicians strive to collaborate with outside providers as a best practice in providing excellent patient care.
Length of treatment will be based on the patient’s individual needs and will be re-evaluated throughout their stay; however, we ask that women plan to be available to attend the program for at least 5 days.
We will assist women in utilizing community resources, including insurance coverage and public transportation to assist in providing transportation to treatment when needed.
Local hotels are available at discounted rates near Pine Rest. Talk to our staff for more information.
The Mother & Baby Program will be closed on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
We will ensure that patients leave the program with a comprehensive plan for follow up and success at home. We will arrange for the patient to return to their established outpatient provider, psychiatrist and primary care physician or connect women with providers if they do not already have one.
Anyone can make the referral including the patient herself. A provider referral is not needed, although it can be helpful to coordinate services. Call the Pine Rest Contact Center at 800.678.5500 or 616.455.9200 to speak to our admission staff who are able to answer questions and arrange for the assessment. Please do not hesitate to call if you have questions or need additional information!
