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not alone. Others have felt the Becoming a new mother or a mother for the second, third, or fourth time can be overwhelming for different reasons. Sleep deprivation, adjusting to the role of motherhood, juggling work and family, learning how to breast feed, and all the hormonal biological changes a woman undergoes after giving birth are simply incredible. "Baby Blues" 80% of all postpartum (after giving birth) women experience what is called “the baby blues.” It is common for women to feel:
These symptoms occur usually a few days to a few weeks after giving birth. Baby blues is not considered a disorder and usually resolves on its own. It is time-limited. If the symptoms continue for more than a few weeks or intensify, it is important for the woman to be aware of the possibility of an emerging Postpartum Depression, which requires treatment.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a condition that results from a combination of factors ... biological, environmental, and psychological. It is a unique form of Major Depression that can occur any time within the first year after giving birth. Its origins are thought to emerge from several factors which can include: chronic and severe sleep deprivation, dramatic hormonal shifts after delivering the placenta, family history of depression, traumatic birth experience, previous history of depression, grief or loss issues, and lack of social supports, abuse history, thyroid dysfunction, abrupt weaning, previous history of PPD. In each woman affected by PPD, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of the condition. In some cases, there are no risk factors, such as those mentioned above, that would indicate a warning sign of possible PPD. The exact circumstances that each woman experiences PPD are unique to the woman herself. At times, the origin of PPD is not clear. The good news is that PPD is highly treatable. A combination of therapy, social supports, and if indicated, medication management will lead to a swift recovery. The sooner the woman seeks treatment, the sooner she will recover. The cluster of symptoms of PPD can include:
For a diagnosis of PPD, these symptoms must be present most of the time during at least a two week period. In addition, some of the symptoms mentioned above are unique to PPD, and not Major Depression. Again, the good news is that the condition is highly treatable, and with swift action, a woman can be well on her way to recovery. Although not all women with PPD feel suicidal, some do. If a woman is expressing suicidal thoughts she must receive immediate medical attention. She would need to go the the nearest emergency room or call 911. Remember that help is available. Many women do not seek treatment because of the shame or guilt they feel about not enjoying motherhood at a time when there is tremendous societal and familial pressure to be a “perfect mother.” Being a “good enough” mom and adjusting to one of life’s most momentous role changes is part of the therapy that is available. Becoming a mother is a lifelong process that does not end with pregnancy or childbirth. In addition to individual therapy, support groups can help a woman to normalize all the feelings she is experiencing and reduce her sense of isolation.
Other Postpartum Disorders A woman can also experience Postpartum Stress Syndrome (PSS), which is a self-limited adjustment disorder and not clinical depression. This condition responds well to supportive treatment and usually resolves without medication management. PSS can occur any time during the first year postpartum, as can PPD. PPD V. Clinical Depression The predominant symptom for many women experiencing PPD is anxiety, thus differentiating the uniqueness of PPD versus a clinical depression. Women with PPD can also have panic attacks and obsessive thoughts that they would not normally experience with a clinical depression. Likewise, women who have had a history of clinical depression often describe PPD as being much more intense and frightening than a “typical” clinical depression. Postpartum Panic Disorder: Symptoms can include ...
The clinical description of a panic attack is a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort (DSM IV) which occurs suddenly and usually peaks rapidly within a finite period. Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms can include ...
Key difference between Postpartum OCD and Postpartum Psychosis: A woman experiencing OCD recognizes that the intrusive, graphic thoughts are irrational and does not act upon those thoughts or images. However, in PPP (Postpartum Psychosis) the woman does not recognize the irrational thinking and may act upon such thoughts, thus indicating a medical emergency. Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms can include ...
Although very rare, Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) is considered the most serious of the Postpartum Spectrum Disorders. The condition affects 1 to 2 postpartum women out of 1000. In some cases, a woman could have a Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features which could also include the above symptoms. If a woman is exhibiting the symptoms mentioned above, she should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. She and her baby are considered to be at serious risk.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms can include ...
This condition can surface in either the mother or father/partner following a miscarriage, perinatal loss, traumatic birth experience (i.e. baby going to NICU or extended separation, emergency C-section, painful birth procedure, death of baby, medical complication of baby, etc.). If a woman has experienced abuse in her past (i.e. sexual or physical abuse) sometimes the birth experience can bring about reminders of an abuse episode(s). Therefore, psychotherapy is important for the woman’s recovery to help reduce the intrusive flashbacks and anxiety associated with the condition. Other tips on recovering from PPD The most important concept for a woman experiencing PPD is to remember is that:
In my practice, I have never seen a client whose PPD did not resolve. It is for that reason, among many others, that I find working with postpartum moms to be highly rewarding. Again, during the recovery process, women need a combination of psychotherapy, social supports, and if indicated, medication management from a psychiatrist who specializes in women’s reproductive mental health. Furthermore, thyroid levels should be taken to rule out thyroid disorder, which can also mimic symptoms of PPD. In addition, proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep are essential in promoting a swift recovery. Furthermore, studies are showing that Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplements are proving important for “brain health” and maintaining adequate levels of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that regulates mood). Other forms of complimentary treatments such as yoga, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology and massage have also been helpful for many women. As with any alternative therapy, a woman should always consult her doctor or health practitioner before proceeding with any form of the above-mentioned treatments.
About 15-20 percent of pregnant women experience depression. When you consider how many pregnant women there are on earth on any given day, that’s a high percentage of depressed women. What contributes to the stigma of experiencing depression while pregnant and postpartum are societal and familial pressures that pregnancy and motherhood should be a glowing time of contentment and joy. For many women, the feeling is just not that at all… Symptoms of depression in pregnancy can include:
The above symptoms can occur in a milder version during any pregnancy. However, if the woman’s ability to function on a daily basis (i.e. getting out of bed in the morning, going to work, caring for other children) is impaired, then it is possible she is experiencing perinatal depression. Again, treatment is available in the form of psychotherapy, and if indicated, medication management. See How We Can Help Other Related Issues can include ....
Perinatal Loss It is important to highlight that the loss of a child due to stillbirth, medical complication at delivery/postpartum, or miscarriage can contribute to the onset of postpartum depression in women (and men). Such a devastating loss has profound consequences for the parents. Grief therapy is essential and available at EmbraceMotherhood to assist with such a difficult healing process. See How We Can Help Fertility Challenges As the age of child-bearing continues to climb higher for many women, it is common for couples to increasingly experience fertility challenges in their long awaited journey to parenthood. EmbraceMotherhood provides supportive counseling and resources to couples undergoing fertility treatment. Women who have experienced fertility-related struggles can often develop PPD. The origin of the PPD can be due to a history of medication intervention, myths of the perfect motherhood, and being let-down about perceiving her body as having failed her. Processing the grief associated with such challenges often surfaces after the baby is born. See How We Can Help How Support People Can Help the Woman recovering from PPD: (Support people = spouse, partner, family, friends, neighbors)
YOU WILL RECOVER! Say internationally known perinatal specialists Shoshana Bennett, Phd and Pec Indman, EdD, MFT in their book, Beyond the Blues. Key concepts that Bennett and Indman report as essential to remind oneself of during recovery:
The above affirmations can be written on cards and posted around the house as the woman recovers. Bennett and Indman also recommend “Basic Mom Care” which includes:
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What
is Postpartum Depression/Anxiety? 
Depression
in Pregnancy
