Having the Blues About the Baby - Postpartum Depression

In the past few months, there has been a debacle between Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields on the issue of postpartum depression. As an adherent of Scientology, Tom Cruise believes that we are capable of healing ourselves through natural means rather than taking medications that would do more harm than good. With this belief in mind, Tom Cruise allegedly reacted and disapproved when Brooke Shields opted to treat her postpartum depression with antidepressants. Healthy exercises would have been the cure to her illness, cited Tom Cruise, but Brooke Shields resorted to another measure to cope with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression.

Majority has the idea that it is a feeling of despondency of a woman after giving birth. Postpartum depression is actually similar to major forms of depression, only it is experienced by women who have just given birth. There had been tragic stories wherein mothers murdered their infant. It seems unthinkable as motherhood is supposed to be an experience of joy and miracle, but this horrendous act is actually possible. The culprit? Postpartum depression. This disorder that has beset a lot of women can become some sort of insanity if left untreated. Postpartum depression can be attributed to physiological and psychological factors.

Having been pregnant for nine months, the mother normally undergoes tremendous hormonal and physiological changes. This can cause stress and distress as hormones usually affect the moods and emotions as well. The mother may experience mood changes and even altered mental state that could lead to depression. Underlying psychological issues may also beset the mother, especially if she is not ready or hesitant about motherhood. She may be harboring deep rooted ill feelings or anger toward the baby for several reasons- it can deter her from a successful career, or may strip her of the freedom of being single, or maybe it can be because she has gained weight and has become less attractive and unloved because of the baby.

Childbirth is also an agonizing process, and the physical stress of bearing a child can also cause postpartum depression. When we think of depression, what comes into mind is merely a sad, dejected feeling. But depression can be an intricate web of underlying entangled emotions of not only despondency but possibly also of guilt, anger, fear and insecurity, resentment or remorse, frustration and lack of self-esteem among others. Postpartum depression is a disorder than can be threatening not only to the mother but to the infant as well. When a mother is afflicted with this disorder, it is not only a matter between the mother and the baby, but of other relationships as well such as that with the father and the family.

Depression itself for an individual is distressing, much more so to a mother who has a responsibility and connection to the infant. Postpartum depression can possibly be prevented if the mother initially has a healthy mindset and would resolve all issues about the pregnancy and motherhood prior to giving birth. In this process, support system from family and friends is essential for the mother-to-be. Regular pre-natal check-ups to detect and correct irregularities must also be undertaken as well as proper supplementation to ensure a healthy pregnancy. When a mother is afflicted with depression, it is best to seek professional help.

Medications, if appropriate and necessary, are usually prescribed as well as psychotherapy to resolve underlying emotional and psychological issues. To experience the best of the joys of motherhood, it is wise to seek treatment for postpartum depression as it is curable. And after depression, it is possible for a mother to go on living a healthy and new life- with a new life in her hands.

The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose decided to share her knowledge and tips through her website http://www.healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free newsletter and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

Postpartum Depression - More Than Baby Blues

I'm a survivor of two life-threatening postpartum depressions. At the time of my illnesses, there was no help for me. The great news is that, if you're suffering from depression in pregnancy or postpartum or know someone who is, there's help now. For the last 20 years my mission has been to educate medical and mental health professionals, and work directly with women and their families around the world to make sure they don't suffer the way my family and I did. I've worked with over 15,000 women, and I've never met one who did not fully recover when given proper help.

Women are most vulnerable to mood disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. If depression or anxiety is going to surface, it typically happens at this time. Postpartum depression (ppd) is one of six postpartum mood disorders and is the most common, affecting about 15 percent of mothers around the world. The primary cause for ppd is thought to be the huge hormonal drop after the baby is delivered. This hormone shift then affects the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). There are also psychosocial factors such as moving, illness, poor partner support, financial hardship, and social isolation that will negatively affect the woman's emotional state. If the normal Baby Blues don't go away within two weeks, it is considered then to be ppd. The condition often worsens if the mother doesn't receive help. Although the onset of ppd is usually gradual, it can be rapid and may occur immediately after delivery. Ppd can begin any time during the first year postpartum. It is extremely important to treat ppd, because if it goes untreated, the symptoms may become chronic. Twenty-five percent of mothers untreated for ppd remain depressed after one year. Ppd can occur after the birth of any child, not just the first. Once a woman has had one occurrence, she is high risk for another after a subsequent birth. Common symptoms are excessive worry, anger, feelings of guilt, sadness, hopelessness, sleep problems, uneasiness around the baby, poor concentration, loss of pleasure, decreased sex drive, and changes in appetite. Although there are factors that make some women high risk, no one is immune. Risk factors include: 50 to 80 % chance of ppd if there was a previous ppd, depression or anxiety during pregnancy, personal or family history of depression/anxiety, abrupt weaning, social isolation or poor support (especially poor partner support), history of mood problems with her menstrual cycle, mood changes while taking a birth control pill, or health problems with the mother or baby.

There are warning signs for which professionals, family, and friends can watch. She may need help if she exhibits some of these behaviors: misses her doctor appointments, worries excessively about her health or the health of the baby, looks unusually tired, requires a support person to accompany her to appointments, loses or gains a lot of weight, has physical complaints without any apparent cause, has poor milk production, evades questions about herself, cries easily, shows discomfort being with her baby, is not willing to let another person care for the baby, loses her appetite, cannot sleep at night when her baby is sleeping, and expresses concern that her baby does not like her. Warning signs in the baby include excessive weight gain or loss, delayed cognitive or language development, decreased responsiveness to the mother, and breastfeeding problems.

There are many important reasons why a new mother with ppd should receive help as soon as possible. If she remains untreated, there is an increased risk of her child(ren) developing psychiatric disturbances. There is a potential for child abuse or neglect, an increased risk for the woman to develop chronic depression or relapse, and there is a negative impact on the marriage and on all the family relationships.

The serious consequences of untreated maternal depression on children have been studied extensively. Infants with depressed mothers often weigh less, vocalize less, have fewer facial expressions and higher heart rates. They may be less active, slower to walk, fussier and less responsive to others. Toddlers with depressed moms are at higher risk for affective disorders. Studies show an increase in poor peer relationships, poor self-control, neurological delays and attention problems. Their symptoms mimic the mom's depressed behavior. At 36 months, children with depressed mothers are often less cooperative and more aggressive. They also exhibit less verbal comprehension, lower expressive language skills, more problem behaviors and they perform poorly on measures of school readiness. Only one to two months of exposure to severe maternal depression increases the child's risk to develop depression by age 15.

The recovery plan should include support (both personal and professional), specific nutrition which fights depression, a few hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep (breastfeeding moms can do this too), medication if necessary, and regular breaks for herself. If her depression is so severe that she cannot exercise, just going outside, standing up straight, breathing deeply and getting some sunshine can help her. Since each woman's circumstances and symptoms differ, it is important for each to receive an individual assessment and wellness plan. For instance, one may need more uninterrupted sleep at night and breaks during the day, and another may require more social support and thyroid balancing.

One thing is sure - it is possible for each woman to regain her old self (or even a better self) and achieve 100% wellness when provided proper help. The earlier she receives help, the faster she recovers and the better her prognosis. The sooner a new mom starts enjoying her life, the better it is for her whole family.

Although not caused, of course, by reproductive hormones, new fathers also experience depression at the rate of at least 10 percent. Their symptoms differ from the fluctuating moods that moms with ppd exhibit. Fathers seem to have more tension and short-temperedness as their main symptoms, accompanied with some fear, anger, frustration, and feelings of helplessness. Dads with postpartum depression are often concerned about their partners, disrupted family life, and finances. They typically have increased expectations for themselves and confusion about their new role.

The strongest predictor of whether a new dad will become depressed postpartum is the presence of ppd in the mother. A father whose partner has ppd has between a 24 and 50 percent risk of developing depression after the baby is born. The onset of his ppd is usually later then the onset of ppd in the mother. In Chapter 16 of Postpartum Depression For D******I discuss why partners, if they aren't receiving adequate help themselves, sometimes become depressed as the moms recover.

When fathers suffer from depression after the baby is born, their baby boys are negatively affected the most. These boys have been found to have twice as many behavioral problems in their early years as other children without depressed fathers.

Sign up for a free audio mp3, "Introduction to Beyond the Baby Blues" here: http://www.postpartumdepressionhelp.com

Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D. is the author of Postpartum Depression For Du****** and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression. She's also created guided imagery audios that are specifically focused on helping moms take care of themselves. ABC's "20/20" featured Dr. Shoshana as the postpartum expert and news stations including CNN consult her. Several publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News have written articles on Dr. Shoshana's work. She's interviewed regularly on radio and television and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Globe, Glamour, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, USA Weekend and the Chicago Tribune. Dr. Shoshana is a survivor of two life-threatening, undiagnosed postpartum depressions. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, and is the Past President of Postpartum Support International.

Postpartum Depression: The Baby Blues Can Happen to Anyone

Pregnancy and the months following the birth of a baby can be emotionally turbulent times. For most women it is a time of joy and excitement, but it is not uncommon to feel some anxiety and fear. This comes from the basic fact that having a baby is a major life change, and change is always frightening. But for some new mothers, normal feelings of fear and anxiety can grow into something akin to clinical depression. This affliction, which is believed to affect between 5% and 25% of all new mothers, is known as postpartum depression.

What is normal?

Many mothers are surprised by the powerful feelings they experience after giving birth. In many cases, a new mother feels lonely and upset, and these feelings do not seem to match up with the beautiful thing that has happened. In this case, the mother may wonder why these feelings are happening at all, and she may experience guilt for not feeling happy to have been blessed with a baby.

In addition to having feelings of anxiety and sadness, new mothers commonly feel angry at their babies, partners, or other family members. They may cry for seemingly no reason, have difficulty sleeping, and experience doubts as to whether they can actually handle caring for the new baby. These feelings are surprisingly common, but they usually go away within a week.

When is it postpartum depression?

In more serious cases-when the feelings do not fade after a week or so-these post-birth blues turn into postpartum depression. While postpartum depression may seem like an extension of the normal post-birth baby blues, in many cases the real symptoms do not begin until weeks or even months after the birth. You may have postpartum depression if you have noticed any of these signs or symptoms:


Depression, anxiety, or anger continues for two weeks or more.
Early baby blues go away but return with intensity weeks or months later.
Your feelings of sadness, anger, or self-doubt interfere with your everyday functioning.
Your feelings prevent you from caring for your baby as well as you can.
Your appetite changes.
You have trouble sleeping.
You no longer get pleasure from the things you used to enjoy.
You experience panic attacks.
You have difficulty bonding with the new baby.
You fear that your intense feelings may lead you to harm the baby.
You have had thoughts of suicide or self-harm. If you have experienced any of these symptoms, talk to a doctor right away. The earlier you begin to treat your condition, the faster your recovery will be.

Why does it happen?

There are a few aspects of the post-birth time that can combine to worsen the typical baby blues. For one thing, sharp hormonal changes after birth can lead to a roller coaster of feelings and can even make you feel extra tired and depressed. Meanwhile, many new mothers are simply worn out from the process of giving birth. And since new parents often lose sleep in the early weeks of the baby's life, it is common for poor sleep patterns to exacerbate any negative feelings.

Postpartum depression can also flare up when the mother is particularly stressed out. For example, if you have to go back to work sooner than you are ready, or if you are having financial troubles, this can turn normal feelings of doubt into all-out depression.

Postpartum depression tends to be worse in mothers who exhibit any of these risk factors:


A history of depression or other mental disorders.
Stressful events during the past year, such as the loss of a job, a death in the family, or financial hardship.
A weak or nonexistent support system.
Problems with a spouse.
The pregnancy is unplanned or unwanted.Although there are these risk factors, no one is immune. Postpartum depression affects women of all ages and from all social and economic backgrounds, and it should be taken seriously even if you do not have a history of depression. If you suspect you have postpartum depression, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Lisa Pecos, a wife, mother and well accomplished writer whom firmly believes in all natural remedies for toddler reflux. Lisa has authored numerous articles for the popular online journal site www.BabyCareJournals.com.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms - Are You Suffering From Baby Blues?

There are many postpartum depression symptoms, some of which are more serious than others and require more detailed steps to correct them. But how can you tell what is normal to feel after giving birth versus what is an actual postpartum depression issue? Not feeling like yourself is scary enough on it's own, let alone not knowing if you are doing any harm to your baby.

Dealing with postpartum depression is a very serious matter, and if you are experiencing symptoms, then you should take steps to regain control and happiness in your life. The good news is: you can overcome any postpartum depression symptom, if you know the right places to get the help you need and deserve.

Here are some of the more common, and widespread, symptoms associated with postpartum depression:

Sleeping Too Much - While this is a common symptom of all types of depression, it becomes more pronounced with postpartum. With a new born baby, your sleep pattern should actually be lighter than normal.

Losing Interest in Your Baby - This is a little more severe than other symptoms, but the feelings can be very real for many new moms. If you feel like you are losing interest in your new child, or feel like you are not paying enough attention, then it is likely you have some form of postpartum depression.

Strong Feelings of Guilt - Do you feel guilty about just about everything you do or even do not do? Overwhelming feelings of guilt can occur after pregnancy and can arise even out of the simplest of task.

Lack of Energy - While it is common to be tired and not so energetic after giving birth, for obvious reasons, if the feelings of tiredness and lack of energy persist, it can be a sign of a milder form of depression that should be investigated.

There are certainly many other potential symptoms of this condition, but those above are the most common. If you are experiencing any doubt or question regarding your health condition, do not hesitate to seek out help and start the right treatment program to get you back on track.

Giving birth and bringing your new baby home is a very exciting time. Postpartum depression can occur at any time and is a very common problem that can make what is an exciting period not so enjoyable for you and your family.

As many as 20% of all new moms will experience some form of postpartum issues. There is more information available on the symptoms of postpartum depression and some steps you can take to start feeling better over at StopPostpartum.info.

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