Yesterday I heard from Atlanta Mom who also blogs about her PPD experience and tries to reach out to help new moms. She asked me how I overcame PPD with my subsequent pregnancy. Even though I've written about how I prevented experiencing PPD a second time, it's been a while, so I want to share what I wrote back to her.
Here's an excerpt from my e-mail to her:
I was determined not to go through PPD again at all costs, and began researching ways to avoid it. I came upwith a list of options/resources and spent much of the pregnancy planning on what I wanted my postpartum tobe like.
One thing I did was to hire a postpartum doula. That was absolutely the best money that I've ever spent!
I also enlisted my neighbors and close friends to help -- I told them my PPD story, if I hadn't already shared it with them, and asked if they would help with different areas that they felt like they could help with (ie: preparing meals, having my two older kids over for play dates, going to the grocery store for me, etc.). I got my friends to commit to certain things, and they were so happy to help out -- they were awesome. (It's so hard to ask for help,but once you do, you find that your close friends are so relieved to know what they can do that will truly help you.)
I also hired a neighborhood teenager to come over to my house nearly every afternoon just for a couple of hours or so toplay actively with my older kids, to give them really solid attention. My husband saved up his vacation time andwas able to take a full 3 weeks off after the birth, and he was great around the house and supervising everything.
I also started on an anti-depressant within minutes after giving birth, and also had a psychologist on call in case I experienced any PPD symptoms so that I could quickly get in to see her or have a phone consultation if I needed it.
So, basically I was very focused on creating a really strong support system, not only helping me with just about everything but also helping me monitor any PPD symptoms should they arise. Happily, I never even experienced a single symptom!! It was a wonderful postpartum and I was relatively rested even after having had a C-section. The doula helped me immensely with getting the baby on a schedule while juggling my older kids. I only needed her help for the first three weeks. I stayed on the anti-depressant for about 9 months or so just to make sure I was doing okay, and then I gradually weaned off of it and did great. PPD is totally preventable. That's my big message. The big thing is overcoming the fear of going through it again, facing that fear and then preparing/educating yourself on how to avoid it. Everyone should be able to experience a happy postpartum!!
Showing posts with label PPD prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PPD prevention. Show all posts
March 16, 2008
Story of a mom who survived PPD
There's an article that ran recently in The Santa Clarita Valley Signal that I think everyone should read about a mom named Tracy who went through PPD and successfully came out the other side.
Here's an excerpt that I especially found valuable:
Prevention is Key
Since screening for depression is rarely done on pregnant women, knowing your own risk factors and taking care of yourself both before and after your baby is born are key ingredients to avoiding PPD in the first place.
"It's a shame that we screen pregnant women for Down's Syndrome, but we don't screen for depression, even though it's much more common," said Diana Barnes, Psy.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the assessment and treatment of postpartum illness.
Those at higher risk of developing PPD include women with a personal or family history of PPD or other mood disorders, as well as those who have significant mood changes around their menstrual cycle, and women undergoing fertility treatment.
"If you had one episode of PPD already, the risk of having a subsequent episode during a different pregnancy is 75 percent," Barnes warned. "If you have been treated for depression or anxiety in the past, you are at risk."
Barnes added that if you develop depression while you are still pregnant, like Tracy did, your risk is even higher of being depressed after the baby is born as well.
Though many women have these risk factors, Barnes cautions against panic. Just because you are at risk does not mean you will develop PPD, but being aware of the possibility means that if you do develop it, you will be able to nip it in the bud that much sooner.
"Awareness is key," said Barnes. "Women should educate themselves and their families during their pregnancy."Barnes also encourages women to slow the pace of their lives before and after a baby is born. Don't try to change houses, jobs, or make other major life changes.
"Try to keep things status quo for at least one year postpartum," she said. "Women often put too much stress on themselves around pregnancy time, which is not good. We underestimate how big a change we are going through, and overestimate what we can handle. Other cultures make a much more sacred space for women to be pregnant, and we don't, but we should."
Get Help and SupportTo help yourself get well if you are in the throes of PPD, experts advise that you not be afraid to ask for help, and accept as much as you can.
Since getting enough sleep is important for recovery, Barnes suggests bringing someone in to your home who can get up at night with the baby if necessary. Tracy chose to hire a nanny, but you can also call on your spouse, a friend, or a family member as well.
In addition, finding other mothers suffering from PPD or a support group that caters to women with PPD can be a lifesaver during the most difficult moments.
"Support groups are excellent," Barnes said. "When you have PPD you feel that no one could feel as bad as you, but when you are sitting across the room from someone who gets what you are going through, there is nothing as good as that. You have less of a sense of isolation, and it can make you feel more hopeful."
Barnes recommends finding a group that specifically deals with mothers with PPD, as opposed to a general "new mothers" club, since moms with PPD are going through an entirely different experience of motherhood than those not suffering from it.
Here's an excerpt that I especially found valuable:
Prevention is Key
Since screening for depression is rarely done on pregnant women, knowing your own risk factors and taking care of yourself both before and after your baby is born are key ingredients to avoiding PPD in the first place.
"It's a shame that we screen pregnant women for Down's Syndrome, but we don't screen for depression, even though it's much more common," said Diana Barnes, Psy.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in the assessment and treatment of postpartum illness.
Those at higher risk of developing PPD include women with a personal or family history of PPD or other mood disorders, as well as those who have significant mood changes around their menstrual cycle, and women undergoing fertility treatment.
"If you had one episode of PPD already, the risk of having a subsequent episode during a different pregnancy is 75 percent," Barnes warned. "If you have been treated for depression or anxiety in the past, you are at risk."
Barnes added that if you develop depression while you are still pregnant, like Tracy did, your risk is even higher of being depressed after the baby is born as well.
Though many women have these risk factors, Barnes cautions against panic. Just because you are at risk does not mean you will develop PPD, but being aware of the possibility means that if you do develop it, you will be able to nip it in the bud that much sooner.
"Awareness is key," said Barnes. "Women should educate themselves and their families during their pregnancy."Barnes also encourages women to slow the pace of their lives before and after a baby is born. Don't try to change houses, jobs, or make other major life changes.
"Try to keep things status quo for at least one year postpartum," she said. "Women often put too much stress on themselves around pregnancy time, which is not good. We underestimate how big a change we are going through, and overestimate what we can handle. Other cultures make a much more sacred space for women to be pregnant, and we don't, but we should."
Get Help and SupportTo help yourself get well if you are in the throes of PPD, experts advise that you not be afraid to ask for help, and accept as much as you can.
Since getting enough sleep is important for recovery, Barnes suggests bringing someone in to your home who can get up at night with the baby if necessary. Tracy chose to hire a nanny, but you can also call on your spouse, a friend, or a family member as well.
In addition, finding other mothers suffering from PPD or a support group that caters to women with PPD can be a lifesaver during the most difficult moments.
"Support groups are excellent," Barnes said. "When you have PPD you feel that no one could feel as bad as you, but when you are sitting across the room from someone who gets what you are going through, there is nothing as good as that. You have less of a sense of isolation, and it can make you feel more hopeful."
Barnes recommends finding a group that specifically deals with mothers with PPD, as opposed to a general "new mothers" club, since moms with PPD are going through an entirely different experience of motherhood than those not suffering from it.
January 14, 2008
A mom shares her PPD experience with me
I received an e-mail from a mom named Peggy who shared her PPD experience with me. I was so touched by her story that I asked her if I could share it on my blog, and she said sure. I'm always so grateful when other moms share their stories because it not only helps build our growing PPD Prevention community, but it also helps other women who are suffering realize they're not alone.
Here's Peggy's message:
"Hi, I think you're doing great talking about your experience. I was so emotionally impressed with your site. I have also suffered from PPD after my second child, and I must say it was a nighmare. Five months i was running around like a zombie. I couldnt sleep i was so anxious that when it came to go to bed, i was convinced that i wouldn't sleep. I only sweated thru the night. I dont know why but i worried over every silly thing. In the morning I had no appetite to eat, and i was a frequent visitor to the toilet with diarrhea. I lost ten pounds and had ups/downs every second. I don't have to tell you how terrible this is. I kept running from doctor to nutritionist and I was almost a vitamin cabinet. Until one day i went to a chiropracter and he told me that his wife had the same thing and she went to a physiciatrist. I THOUGHT HE WAS INSANE. Me to a physiciatrist -- I'm not mentally ill. I felt physically ill. I felt like I was having the flu since my baby was born. After all, my supportive husband made me go, and I must say that that day changed my life. When i found out about PPD i was so relieved that it was only this! He put me on zoloft. I was on it for 18 months and I had an easy weaning. Thank god that I'm over with this and I definitely became stronger in nature and confidence. One thing that still bothers me is that I have a phobia of getting pregnant again. My baby is almost 3 years now, I would eventually want another baby. Besides that I still have times that i can't sleep and my anxiety, mood, eating disorder, returns, and it takes me time to bounce back, which makes me happy to see that i can do it on my own, But will this ever fade away? i hate when the down days come. My mind keeps nudging and racing that i'm falling back and maybe i'll need medication again. I feel sick of it. Again thanks for your support and keep up your good work." PEGGY
I wrote Peggy back and let her know how great I think she's doing with handling her "down" times. I imagine that much of that comes just from the natural stress of having kids to raise and all of the daily physical, mental and emotional work that it involves nearly every minute.
I remember all too well the times after I had recovered from PPD when I still would feel occasional feelings of sinking down. They weren't that bad, compared to when I had full-blown depression, and I was always able to "get back up," but it was still troubling and made me nervous and a little scared, just like how Peggy describes. When I had those times, I tried to remember what my psychologist at the time would tell me: to be gentle on myself, not to panic or beat myself up over not feeling good, and to know that I would get through those stressful moments and that that's all they were -- a response to stress.
And, like Peggy, I also had such a fear about a future pregnancy and was terrified when I became pregnant with my fourth child. But I knew what to expect -- I'd already been through the worst, and was careful to educate myself on how to prevent PPD. And it worked! It's amazing and empowering to know that you can actually choose to avoid the PPD hell that you've experienced before.
Anyway, many kudos to Peggy for sharing her story!!! Peggy, you're an incredibly strong woman!
Here's Peggy's message:
"Hi, I think you're doing great talking about your experience. I was so emotionally impressed with your site. I have also suffered from PPD after my second child, and I must say it was a nighmare. Five months i was running around like a zombie. I couldnt sleep i was so anxious that when it came to go to bed, i was convinced that i wouldn't sleep. I only sweated thru the night. I dont know why but i worried over every silly thing. In the morning I had no appetite to eat, and i was a frequent visitor to the toilet with diarrhea. I lost ten pounds and had ups/downs every second. I don't have to tell you how terrible this is. I kept running from doctor to nutritionist and I was almost a vitamin cabinet. Until one day i went to a chiropracter and he told me that his wife had the same thing and she went to a physiciatrist. I THOUGHT HE WAS INSANE. Me to a physiciatrist -- I'm not mentally ill. I felt physically ill. I felt like I was having the flu since my baby was born. After all, my supportive husband made me go, and I must say that that day changed my life. When i found out about PPD i was so relieved that it was only this! He put me on zoloft. I was on it for 18 months and I had an easy weaning. Thank god that I'm over with this and I definitely became stronger in nature and confidence. One thing that still bothers me is that I have a phobia of getting pregnant again. My baby is almost 3 years now, I would eventually want another baby. Besides that I still have times that i can't sleep and my anxiety, mood, eating disorder, returns, and it takes me time to bounce back, which makes me happy to see that i can do it on my own, But will this ever fade away? i hate when the down days come. My mind keeps nudging and racing that i'm falling back and maybe i'll need medication again. I feel sick of it. Again thanks for your support and keep up your good work." PEGGY
I wrote Peggy back and let her know how great I think she's doing with handling her "down" times. I imagine that much of that comes just from the natural stress of having kids to raise and all of the daily physical, mental and emotional work that it involves nearly every minute.
I remember all too well the times after I had recovered from PPD when I still would feel occasional feelings of sinking down. They weren't that bad, compared to when I had full-blown depression, and I was always able to "get back up," but it was still troubling and made me nervous and a little scared, just like how Peggy describes. When I had those times, I tried to remember what my psychologist at the time would tell me: to be gentle on myself, not to panic or beat myself up over not feeling good, and to know that I would get through those stressful moments and that that's all they were -- a response to stress.
And, like Peggy, I also had such a fear about a future pregnancy and was terrified when I became pregnant with my fourth child. But I knew what to expect -- I'd already been through the worst, and was careful to educate myself on how to prevent PPD. And it worked! It's amazing and empowering to know that you can actually choose to avoid the PPD hell that you've experienced before.
Anyway, many kudos to Peggy for sharing her story!!! Peggy, you're an incredibly strong woman!
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