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Newsletter for July/Aug2011
The Blues - Is This Normal? |
Many moms experience mood swings and crying jags after childbirth. For some moms the symptoms fade quickly and are known as the baby blues. For others, symptoms are more severe and are longer-lasting, and may be postpartum depression. If you are asking "Is this Normal?" about feelings you or another mom are experiencing we are here to help!
There are several things that help aid anyone recovering from childbirth. You should make healthy lifestyle choices (avoid alcohol which is a depressant), set realistic expectations, make time for yourself and
avoid isolation. But what if you are doing all these things and still just don't feel like yourself? |
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How to tell the Difference Between
Baby Blues and
Postpartum Depression
Parents struggle with the combination of physical, emotional and lifestyle changes. Some moms juggle a combination of these along with a change in hormones and brain chemistry. If you are suffering from depression, it's not your fault and there's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. According to Postpartum Support International 1 in 8 women suffer from postpartum depression. Since it is a medical condition, a positive attitude or just trying harder to be happy can't "fix" depression.
How can you tell the difference between the blues and depression? The signs or symptoms vary depending on the type of depression and most people experience a combination of them.
Baby blues -70-80% of moms have these symptoms: Mood swings, anxiety, sadness, fear, irritability, crying, decreased concentration, and trouble sleeping. Also included are general feelings of being weak, overwhelmed, overtired and alone.
Postpartum depression: Loss of appetite, insomnia, intense irritability/anger, overwhelming fatigue (no energy or motivation), lack of joy in life, feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy, severe mood swings, difficulty bonding with your baby, withdrawal from family and friends, and thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. These symptoms can occur any time within the first 3 months after delivery.
If you think you may have postpartum depression, treatment can help you manage your symptoms and get back to enjoying life and your baby again. We learned that left untreated, postpartum depression may last for a year or more. If you have depression symptoms and they are getting worse, don't fade after two weeks or make it hard for you to take care of your baby or yourself, please seek help from your doctor. Only a medical professional can determine if what you are experiencing is postpartum depression and help you find a treatment plan. |
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Why Should You Get Help?
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What Can You Do To Help Yourself?
Depression during pregnancy (also known as pre-partum depression) can increase the risk of problems during delivery, low-birth-weight babies, and/or premature birth. It also increases your risk of postpartum depression. So, seek help from your doctor if you feel depressed prior to your baby's birth.
Untreated postpartum depression interferes with mother-child bonding and the babies are more likely to have behavioral problems along with difficulty in language development. In addition, any type of depression in the mother, also affects the baby's father which further affects your child.
Your baby deserves the chance to have a healthy mom and
you deserve the chance to enjoy your pregnancy and your child!
Learn how to prepare for an appointment and what to expect from your doctor. You can expect that any diagnosis of postpartum depression will be addressed with a mix of counseling (where you can talk about your concerns and ways to cope), antidepressants and/or hormone therapy (which you may choose to accept or decline). Once you have made your appointment here are some tips on what you can do while you wait to see your doctor.
- Take special care of yourself. Get as much rest as you can, eat healthy
food several times a day and go for walks in fresh air. - Don't try to be perfect and don't try to do too much at once.
- Ask your friends and family for help (most are happy to assist).
- Find someone you can talk to about your feelings (sharing can ease your burdens). Join a support group (if you can't find one, ask your doctor at your appointment).
- Reduce any further life changes that may add more stress. Avoid adding any stressors that you can.
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Dads Can Help Too
If your partner is having mutliple signs of postpartum depression, encourage her to seek help from her doctor. If she has already been diagnosed with postpartum depression, let your partner know that you understand that she is going through something that she cannot control and she's not just being emotional. Look over the following items and use some of these ideas to actively support her.
- Let her talk about her feelings without judging or criticizing. Just acknowledge that this is a difficult time and encourage her that with a doctor's help she will soon be feeling better.
- Take a more active role in your baby's care so your partner can get the rest they need. When you feel like an outing, take the baby for a walk, or just a short transportation ride to get both of you out of the house a while. If you can afford it, invest in a sling, carrier or stroller that is comfortable for you.
- When you can tell the mom is overwhelmed and tired with visitors, step in and explain that she needs rest. Calmly and kindly provide a list (that you and the mom have prepared) of things they can pick from to help. People will often provide a meal or offer to baby sit. If you can't use their help that day, tell them you will contact them for help later. Then, follow up!
 - Be patient with your partner's body. After birth it often takes months for the mother's body to regain normalacy. Mom's need time to get back into the physical aspects of your relationship, but still need to be affectionate. Holding, hugging and kissing are important even when it's too early to have sex.
- After birth, women are self conscience of their bodies and worry that they may not be attractive. Remind her that she's still beautiful. Remind her what a miracle she has accomplished!
- Each day can be a struggle with depression. Any acknowledgement that she's special to you will be greatly appreciated.
- Make friends with others that have small children. If you can open up to others in the same situation, it will allow you to laugh (and perhaps cry) from the male perspective. A side benefit is that you can make "play dates" with the same people and allow your partner some time alone.
- Take good care of yourself. Becoming a father is a big step. Eat regularly, get some exercise and plan time doing things you enjoy so you keep yourself in the best health.
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The Mayo Clinic
The Federal Gov't Source for Women's Health
Postpartum Support International
A printable brochure on Postpartum Depression is available from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
If you have any thoughts of harming yourself, "Let someone know your Pain..." call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE. |
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Quick Links...
Facebook - Have you had the Baby Blues? Share what works for you with others.
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Our goal is provide you with interesting and useful information. If you have ideas for other topics you'd like to see in the Newsletter, or want to give us feedback, email us at DyDeeBaby@gmail.com.
Warm Regards,
Sandy Johnson |
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Contact Information: 800-589-BABY (2229) or
DyDeeBaby@gmail.com
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