Blogs beat the drum for postpartum depression awareness

Never underestimate the power of the blog.

"Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act" was such a success yesterday, organizers say, that telephone lines to U.S. senators have been jammed.

This Coping with Life blog, in fact, doubled it's number of hits from the previous day - reaching a record amount of 900-plus.

Now the blogging will continue through Friday because many people weren't able to get through to the senators to speak up for the act, said Susan Stone, president of Postpartum Support International.

"Truly incredible!" she said. "So if you didn't get to call today, please call tomorrow. Each comment/call is registered."

Here's a reminder: The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act will ensure that new moms and their families are educated about postpartum issues, screened for symptoms and provided with essential services.

It will also increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression. The legislation is sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

Here's a list of senators who could be pivotal in the legislation's success - click on their names to get their website:

Democrats: Edward Kennedy, Christopher Dodd, Tom Harkin, Barbara A. Mikulski, Patty Murray, Jack Reed, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, Bernard Sanders and Sherrod Brown.

Republicans: Michael B. Enzi, Judd Gregg, Lamar Alexander, Richard Burr, Johnny Isakson, Lisa Murkowski, Orrin G. Hatch, Pat Roberts, Wayne Allard and Tom Coburn.