Seven years ago, Coral Slavin lost a client and friend, Jennifer Houghtaling, to postpartum depression. Slavin, the owner of the Well-Rounded Maternity Center in Menomonee Falls, will display a "Safe Motherhood Quilt" at her birthing center in recognition of the serious illness and as a tribute to Houghtaling.

The quilt has traveled around the country and will be on display at Well-Rounded Maternity Center, N88W16733 Main St., from Oct. 4 to 15. The quilt is comprised of dozens of cloth squares and each represent a woman who died from some aspect of childbirth since 1982.

On Oct. 11 at 1 p.m., Dr. Sheldon Wasserman will dedicate a quilt square to Houghtaling, an Oak Creek woman who lost her battle to postpartum psychosis (a more intense version of postpartum depression) in 2001 and left behind a husband and infant son.

Houghtaling was very excited about having her first child, but shortly following the birth of her son, she began to show signs of postpartum psychosis. Like many women with the disease, she feared she would harm her baby, so while staying with her parents in Chicago, Houghtaling threw herself under a train.

Postpartum depression is a silent illness that affects more than 40,000 women every year in the United States, but there very few resources available once it strikes.

"The rate of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis is on the rise," says Slavin. "The death rate of women (after giving birth) is going up. It's abominable in this day and age."

This month, the Columbia Center, an independent hospital located on the Columbia St. Mary's Ozaukee campus in Mequon, will launch a support group specifically for moms with postpartum depression.

"We have needed more information / education for the public and for health care professionals alike because understanding postpartum depression allows moms, and the people who love them, to seek help when needed," says Ann Grauer, a member of Columbia Center's Parent Education and Support Team and the coordinator of the hospital's doula program.

Slavin says postpartum depression can appear anytime within the first year after the baby's birth, which is why the disease is sometimes misunderstood.

"Sometimes women don't show signs until the baby is 6 or 7 months old, so they don't realize it's postpartum depression and might not get help as quickly as they need it," says Slavin.

Women who suffered from depression prior to pregnancy have a higher risk for postpartum depression, but many women without a history of mental illness struggle with the disorder. Slavin says the stress of new motherhood or a traumatic birth experience can contribute to the onset of postpartum depression.

"There's a lot of grieving that goes on when you don't have the birth experience you expected," says Slavin. "Also, it's difficult for some women to change gears from going to work every day and being around lots of people to being at home with a newborn."

Grauer says postpartum depression is just one form of postpartum mood disorders. Other postpartum mood disorders include depression, anxiety or panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar or psychosis.

Grauer says the most important messages that women with postpartum mood disorders need to hear are, "you are not alone," "you are not to blame" and "you will get better."

Postpartum depression is not the same as the "baby blues." Most new moms experience sadness and frustration during the first few days or weeks following the birth of a child.

"We think of Andrea Yates (the Texas mother who drowned her five children) as being that woman who had 'baby blues' or depression. In reality, baby blues is a common part of the postpartum experience for many women and Andrea Yates had postpartum psychosis. It can be a little overwhelming to realize that there is a broad spectrum of issues," says Grauer.

A few years ago, Houghtaling's parents, Dr. Charles and Joan Mudd, started the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Foundation, and since then, spent countless hours researching services and support groups that could have helped their daughter and other women suffering this disease.

"There is no need for a woman to suffer without help. We wouldn't ask someone with a broken leg to just wait it out and see if it goes away. This is no different," says Grauer. "If left untreated, a postpartum depression mood disorder can get worse. Moms want to be fully present for their children, and it is important for all of us to remember that taking care of ourselves means that we can care for our families."