Post Partum

[Chi829]

What is it? What causes it? What are the symptoms and are some more likely to get it than others? Is there any way to prevent it? How early does it happen? Im so afraid I'll get it.

[Regina]

Jo,

Post partum depression is basically the baby blues lasting for more than a few weeks after delivery. Right after delivery, and actually during your entire pregnancy, your body is changing so much. Hormones are going crazy. It is normal to feel some mood swings, especially since you are most likely not getting adequate amounts of sleep...but, even small forms of depression should be discussed with your ob, just so they can keep an eye on things and so it doesn't get worse. It is basically the same symptoms of major depression, but you can become overly preoccupied with your baby or withdrawn from your baby.

My first few pregnancies, I don't think I felt that much of anything out of the norm. AND..my first was a very stressful pregnancy, I had a history of depression, my child was in the NICU at the hospital for a couple of weeks, etc. So, even with the risk factors, that doesn't mean that you will get it....especially if you are aware of what to watch out for now. I know people that have been totally happy all their lives (meaning never struggled with depression), they had a great pregnacy and great delivery, but still suffered post partum. Or...like I said, I had a horrible history of depression, had an extremely difficult pregnancy, a child in the NICU, and still didn't experience one bit of the depression symptoms.

So, I think it will depend on you specifically. All pregnancies are not the same. So, even if you experience it with your first, that doesn't mean that you will experience it with anymore...although, it will mean that they will keep a better eye on you and know that they need to watch for any signs. If you are prone to depression, than I would just let your ob know that before you get pregnant or whenever you go in....ask her what to watch out for, what they can do to treat it, anything you can do to avoid it, etc. This might put your mind more at ease. If you eat healthy, take your prenatal vitamins, exercise, have some source of outlet, have someone to talk to and be supportive, than that is a great start to combating it. Don't get too worked up about it happening to you though because it doesn't happen to everyone.

Also, if your husband is aware of this being a potential problem for you, he might be able to take some time off right after the baby to help you adjust easier. His help can be an enormous amount of a stress reliever for you. For instance, the baby will need to be fed a bunch. If you decide to breast feed, he can be the one that gets up and changes the baby before he hands the baby to you to nurse (at least on the days he's not flying!). This might help you feel that you are a team. Sleep whenever the baby sleeps. I know everyone likes to do the laundry, cook, get caught up on things, etc. BUT don't. Get your sleep first, then do all the other things. The baby eats constantly at first. If you don't get enough sleep, you don't produce enough milk, the baby gets hungry, but isn't getting fed enough, then the baby wants fed more often, which means you get less sleep than before this. It is a very yucky cycle. Have someone help you if you need it. My mother-in-law helps with dinners at the very end of my pregnancy and right when I have the baby. I hate for someone else to do my laundry, but I love when someone helps me with dinners.

I felt more overwhelmed with the first than I did with 4 or 5. That is because I had no clue how to do things. Give yourself a break and don't think there is one way of doing things. My sister-in-laws have 8, 4, 12, and 11 (12 kids, but one died) children. I thought they had to know everything about children. Do you know what I finally realized? That they can know everything about how to raise their own kids, but what works for them, doesn't work for me. You will find what works for you by experience. It doesn't hurt to have help, but don't feel like you have to do it their way.

I would just relax. You are hearing a lot about post partum because so many of us on here have just had babies or are pregnant. It is also becoming more in the news now and more common to talk about....especially do to Brooke Shields talking about how she combated it in her book. Oh, you could get this at the library if you are interested. I read some of the book, but I couldn't get through it all.

Hope this info. helps.
Here is just some basic info. found on the net:

"Risk factors:
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors


You have a higher chance of post-partum depression if:

• You had mood or anxiety disorders prior to pregnancy, including depression with a previous pregnancy
• You have a close family member who has had depression or anxiety
• Anything particularly stressful happened to you during the pregnancy, including illness, death or illness of a loved one, a difficult or emergency delivery, premature delivery, or illness or abnormality in the baby
• You are in your teens or over age 40
• The pregnancy is unwanted or unplanned
• You currently abuse alcohol, take illegal substances, or smoke -- these are also serious medical health risks for the baby
  • Marital problems
  • Depression/anxiety during pregnancy
  • Poor or lacking social support systems
  • Stress or negative life events occurring during pregnancy such as the death of a parent or close relative or move to a new location Previous post partum depression or mood disorder
  • Traumatic birth experience
  • Early hospital discharge following childbirth
  • History of severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) "

[Brenda]

Hi Jo!
It wasn't too long ago that post partum depression was kind of a hush hush thing. You just didn't talk about it. But today, it is put out there for people to know that it can happen to the most put together person.
With my first pregnancy I experienced postpartum depression. I honestly did not have a clue what was going on. Everyone , like my mom and friends would just tell me I was experiencing baby blues and that it would pass. I was just experiencing a lot of overwhelming feelings. I felt like I had to be PERFECT. I kid you not. I cleaned, had clothes ironed, meals cooked, dressed perfectly, had everything in my apartment like it was from Better homes and garden, It stressed me out. I needed to be like June Cleaver. BUt, I was so beyond tired and moody. There were times I was so tired I couldn't remember where I putthe baby! I was angry with Eric all the time. And why? I had everything I ever wanted, I was married to a wonderful man, had a beautiful healthy baby boy, and was able to stay at home to raise him.
Finally after I overcame my ebarrassement I called the doctor and she had me go in to see her. Sure enough, she told me it was depression/anxiety. More anxiety in my case, to be perfect. A low dosage of anxiety medication eased my eagerness. Slowly I was weened off after a yr. I didn't have any issues with my second, and with my third I knew I might experience anxiety with 3 kiddos and hubby commuting, so I went on the pill one month before the baby was born. Now DH asks me everyday how I am doing. I guess he gets nervous thatI might have an anxiety attack! lol

This can usually happen within the first 24- 48 hrs of pregnancy. It's when both estrogen and pregesterone drop significantly. I mean can you just imagine what it does to your body going from total extra hormonal to your old self? Look out! There could be a lot of crying, lack of energy, lack or increase in appetite, anxiety, trouble sleeping and sometimes hallucinations. Some studies have said that postpartum depression/depression/anxiety, not necessarily all or in that order can be hereditary. (I'm still trying to get my mom to admit that maybe she had something?)
Talk to your doctor before you get pregnant if you are concerned. A low dosage of an anxiety pill could help and there are support groups for new moms.

[Dana]

Can't really add much more to what has already been said. Good info ladies!
If your symptoms of "baby blues" last more than a week or two or if your symptoms are especially bad, you need to ask for help from your provider.
PPD is likely from hormonal imbalance and chemical imbalance.
D

[Kristie]

ya know....it's really great to know that women don't need to be afraid of post partum anymore... you can talk about it, get help for it... so different than it was years ago!!

i wish that same thing would happen with mental illness...more acceptance is needed there.