Annette Kutilek had a smooth pregnancy, but 48 hours after the birth of her son, she was overtaken by anxiety. The Little Rock dietician became consumed with fear that she would fall into postpartum psychosis, putting her baby in danger. So she stayed awake and watchful, even as she scanned the internet to learn how many hours she could go without sleeping before she died.

Speaking at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre last week as part of a panel discussion on the plight of new mothers in the state, Kutilek said she felt relieved to learn that many women suffer similarly from postpartum anxiety. With help from midwives, a therapist and her husband, she was able to overcome it.

“It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to not get help for not being okay when treatment exists simply becaus

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