Preview a great PSI resource on PPD- Check out the video!

Watch this great preview video for Postpartum Support International's new resource: Healthy Mom, Happy Family: Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

Dec. 2009 closes with lots of news and research on PPD

My inbox was filled with news articles related to Perinatal Mood Disorders when I checked it after Christmas.  I hope you will find some of the information in these links helpful!

According to Mike Paulden, MSc, of the University of Toronto, and colleagues at the University of York in England formal screening for postpartum depression in the primary care setting is not cost-effective.

"After (Hurricane) Katrina, obstetric, prenatal, and neonatal care was compromised in the short term, but increases in adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, low birthweight, and maternal complications were mostly limited to highly exposed women," investigators in the United States report." 

Depressive symptoms cause a more severe inflammatory response following influenza virus vaccination during pregnancy.

Postpartum thyroiditis going undiagnosed among many new moms.

Part Two of Author Elizabeth Pantley's guest post

What can a doctor do about postpartum depression?
As with any form of depression, help is available and only as far away as your healthcare provider  contact your ob/gyn or midwife to start with, if that’s most comfortable for you. She can help you get the professional care you need from someone who has experience dealing with this condition. In the longer term, it’s important that your therapy take place with a professional who has experience in treating PPD; the malady is different from other forms of depression, and it is very specifically related to your role as a new mother.

PARENT TIP
“In the time it takes you to read this chapter, you could set up an appointment with a doctor. Remember, this is a medical problem and it can be serious; for your sake, for your baby, and for all those who love you, you must make that call. With help, you will regain your life and your
perspective."
Vanessa, mother of Kimmy (12) Tyler (10) Rachel (5) and Zachary (3)

A visit to a doctor for the symptoms you’re feeling is nothing to fear. Your condition is something your doctor has seen before  so you need not feel at all self-conscious. As for treatment, there are a variety of options, depending on how severe your symptoms are. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and may suggest medication, such as antidepressants. (Make sure that you let him know if you are breastfeeding so that the proper medication can be prescribed.) In addition, he will tell you that therapy and support are critical for recovery.

What can I do about PPD?
The first step you can take is to understand that you have an illness that requires action on your part so you can heal. Forgive me for repeating this, but it is important: Take that first step and call a doctor. In addition, the following things can help you begin to feel better right away:

Talk to someone. Whom do you trust? Whom do you feel comfortable talking to? This might be your spouse or partner, it might be your mother, your sister or brother or a friend. It can really help to share your feelings with someone who cares about you. Even if you feel you can’t talk specifically about PPD, just discuss your feelings and your new role as a mother and its effects on you.

Read books about baby care and parenting. Knowledge is power. Reading may help you feel more confident, which in turn will help you feel more in control of your situation. It will also give you the knowledge you’ll need to ward off the unwanted advice or criticism that can come your way during the early months of parenting, and that can be especially hard to take when you are feeling depressed.

Join a support group. PPD support groups allow mothers who are dealing with depression to talk with others who have similar feelings. A list at the end of this section can help you find a group in your area. You might also call your health care provider, your local hospital, or your church for information. While PPD support groups are an excellent choice, any group for new mothers in which you can share your feelings about motherhood can help you feel better about yourself. Choose your support group with care, as you’ll want to be around people who support your parenting decisions. Being with a group who criticizes or questions your mothering choices will make you feel worse, not better. Conversely, spending your time with like-minded people will boost your self-confidence and help you feel more confident as a mother. This idea shouldn’t be seen s a cure, but rather one part of the process of recovery.

Accept help from others. If anyone offers to help you  whether it is to take your baby for a walk, cook a meal, or drive your older kids to sports practice  accept! Learn to say yes. You don’t have to do everything to be a good mother. It’s natural for human beings to lean on each other, so go ahead and do a little more leaning.

Get some extra sleep. Put your efforts to get your baby to sleep through the night on hold right now; this will come in time. Forget about the clock. Just sleep  both of you  whenever you can. Extra sleep will help you feel better.

Relax your standards. This is not the time to worry about a spotless house, gourmet meals, the corporate ladder, or your manicure. Try to stick to the basics and concentrate on yourself and your baby.


Get some fresh air. When possible, put your baby in the sling or the stroller and take a walk. The exercise and open spaces will help you feel more energized. Try to work a daily stroll into your schedule. If you have older children, walk them to school. If the weather isn’t suitable for outdoor walking, then drive to a shopping mall for an indoor walk.

Feed yourself healthy foods. You can eat properly without much effort. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, and simple but nutritious meals. And eat frequently. Going long stretches without food wreaks havoc on your system. Simple snacks like an apple with peanut butter, a bagel, or yogurt with cottage cheese are easy to prepare and prevent your blood sugar from dipping and adding to your feelings of depression. Continue to take vitamins, and drink plenty of water.


Love yourself. You are going to be okay. Take it one step at a time…but do take steps (such as those outlined in this section). With help and time, you’ll develop a refreshing and healthy outlook on your new role as a mother.

Author Elizabeth Pantley shares her insight on PPD at Beyond Postpartum!

I have recently been blessed to get to know (in a very cyber sort of way) author Elizabeth Pantley who is famous for her series of "The No-Cry" series books on parenting.  Elizabeth was kind enough to send me some excerpts from her books on PPD and is allowing me to share them with you readers here...Merry Christmas to all of us for this gift!

Here is the first of two posts that will feature Elizabeth's helpful info...

Postpartum Depression

By Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care and The No-Cry Sleep Solution

QUESTION:  I know that it’s normal to have the “baby blues” right after you have a baby, but my son is six weeks old. I thought everything would be wonderful by now and I would be so in love with my baby. I thought mothering would come easily. It’s not that way at all! I can’t sleep, even when he’s sleeping. I feel hollow inside, like the real me is gone. Sometimes I cry for hours; other times, I feel angry enough to explode. Life feels like an endless amusement park ride, and sometimes I just want to get off. Why am I such a terrible mother?

Learn about it

You’re not a terrible mother! You are a mother who is suffering from a condition known as postpartum depression, a condition that is treatable. While as many as 80% of mothers experience a temporary and mild condition referred to as the baby blues, up to 15% of women have the more severe reaction you’re experiencing. Having PPD doesn’t mean that you have done something wrong, or that something is wrong with you; it is an illness and it can be cured. Once you learn more about what’s causing your despondent emotions and take some steps toward treatment, you’ll be on the road to finding yourself again and enjoying your baby.

What is postpartum depression?

PPD is a medical condition ¾ a specific type of depression that occurs within the first few months after childbirth. It is caused by the biochemical and hormonal changes that happen in the body after pregnancy and birth…nothing that is within your control.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?

While PPD affects all women differently, a few typical symptoms can help your physician make the diagnosis. You probably are not experiencing everything on the following list, and the degree of symptoms may range from mild to severe, but if a number of these apply to you, you may be suffering from PPD.

Symptoms of postpartum depression may include but are not limited to:

• Feeling hopeless, worthless or inadequate
• Frequent crying or tearfulness
• Insomnia or sleepiness
• Lack of energy
• Loss of pleasure in activities you normally enjoy
• Difficulty doing typical daily chores
• Loss of appetite
• Feelings of sadness and despair
• Feelings of guilt, panic or confusion
• Feelings of anger or anxiety
• Extreme mood swings
• Memory loss
• Overconcern for baby
• Fear of “losing control”
• Lack of interest in sex
• Worrying that you may hurt your baby
• A desire to escape from your baby or your family
• Withdrawal from social circles and routines
• Thoughts about hurting yourself

If you suffer from extreme degrees of any of these symptoms, particularly thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby, or if you have additional physical symptoms such as hallucinations, confusion or paranoia, then please call a doctor today. NOW. Your condition requires immediate medical care. If you can’t make the call, then please talk to your partner, your mother or father, a sibling or close friend and ask them to help you arrange for help. Do this for yourself and for your baby. If you can’t talk about it, rip this page out and hand it to someone close to you. It’s that important. You do not have to feel this way.

Mother's Health- connection to babys'

This article discusses the importance of spacing pregnancies at least 6 months if not an entire year apart.  Why?  Namely mama's health (including mental health) which clearly directly impacts that of the babe...
For Babies' Sake, Pregnancy Spacing Matters

This article talks about a new program in Iowa that seeks to screen mothers who are more at risk for depressive and stress related health issues during their children's well visits in an effort to improve the health of entire families- fantastic!
Mother's health vital to child's development

I am so glad to see that there is a wake up beginning to the importance of putting mama's health first.  I always think of the airplane analogy on this one...we are asked to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first so that we will have the resources necessary to assist our children and others in case of an emergency.  If only we took this approach to all of life.

10,000...too many

I told myself I would write a little something when the # of hits at Beyond Postpartum blog reached 10,000.  I thought it would be a few more days, maybe even into 2010.  But, this morning I logged on to write a post and the hit counter read 10027, so here goes! 

This blog isn't about a lot of things.
It's not about popularity.
It's not about fame.
It's not about money.
It's not about anger.
It's not about resentment or regret.
It's not about guilt.

This blog IS about...
Hope.
Help.
Advocacy.
Support.
Sisterhood.
Education.
Faith.

While I don't regret a moment of time I have spent writing here (I actually love it!), I do wish that this blog didn't need to exist.  That not another single woman would suffer from PPD.  That not one more father would have to hold both his infant and his wife in his arms in his desperate attempts to help his family survive the devastation of a mood disorder.  That no more mothers would ever experience a memory of their child that doesn't begin until well after the newborn stage because they were too sick to recall, let alone enjoy, the first months postpartum.  10,000 is too many.  I wish no one ever needed to google "ppd" or "postpartum depression" again.  But, pray as I might, for now PPD is here to stay.  With that knowledge I will faithfully continue to write and I thank you in advance for continuing to read.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of your lives.  You have truly blessed me by creating a support system and network of people who enable me to share my thoughts and feelings.  As well, you care enough to pass the information along to your loved ones.  I pray that this blog may continue to be a beacon of hope and a useful resource to families from around the world who are dealing with perinatal mood disorders.

May God bless you richly in the new year.

Best of 2009: The Year's Best Blog Posts

Wow!  This year has zipped by.  I remember how when I was in the depths of my PPD each minute seemed like a day yet each month seemed like a minute.  At your optimal health or not, parenting has a tendency to "warp" times' passage.  So, here we are entering the second half of December.  In order to celebrate a great year in PPD Advocacy, Education and Support, I would like to post some links to my all time favorite blog posts of the year.  Many of these were written by YOU...loyal Beyond Postpartum readers, so thank you! 

The Symptoms of Postpartum Depression & Anxiety (In Plain Mama English): Postpartum Progress

Beautiful Letter to PPD from a PPD Survivor: Ivy's PPD Blog

Peace In the Midst of a Thousand Worries: Beyond Blue 

Familiar Territory: Dooce

Letter for Mom: Sue McRobert's Blog

I will also take the opportunity to re-post links to these interviews of my husband and me, offered by Lauren Hale at Unexpected Blessing and Postpartum Dads Project...
Getting to Know Michael Puline

Sharing the Journey with Amber Koter-Puline

If you have especially enjoyed any particular posts here at Beyond Postpartum, please let me know.  I would love to hear about "reader favorites."  I will make a list of your submissions and post about them in the new year.  You can let me know which you liked best by commenting or emailing me.

Preventing PPD

While it seems if no one can know for sure if postpartum depression can be prevented, there are a lot of things that a family can do to help lessen the chance or severity of it.  These suggestions can take place in the pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum periods.  Below is a list of resources that you may want to consider if you are a PPD Suvivor or if you have one or more risk factors for PPD.

If you are at all concerned about prevention, I would consider some of the following options:

• Getting a doula for childbirth or a postpartum doula: http://www.dona.org/
• Taking supplements from conception through 2 years beyond birth: http://www.soundformulas.com/abb.html
• Placenta Encapsulation: http://placentabenefits.info/main.asp
• Be actively engaging in life outside your home, especially with both other moms and your friends who may not have kids. It's important to have other women who have children of similar ages to talk to and not feel so isolated in the process. It's also important to not forget who you are outside of being a mommy. By getting out with and without your baby you will hopefully find a balance that suits you. To find playgroups and other get-togethers in your area, check out www.meetup.com.
• Consider early treatment/intervention if you do exhibit signs and symptoms of a PMD.

Remember, "The most promising intervention is the provision of intensive, professionally based postpartum support."  Considering that, having a short list of professional resources already prepared before giving birth is not a bad idea for anyone who has increased risk of experiencing a PMD.

Atlanta PPD Survivor Mama being sought for PPD piece by Everwell

Mria Dangerfield from Everwell TV, health and wellness TV programming for physician's waiting rooms across the country is seeking help with a piece on PPD. Check out their content online at www.everwell.com.

They are producing a series addressing the stress people feel in their daily lives. They're looking for someone in Atlanta who has dealt with the symptoms of postpartum depression and who who would feel comfortable describing them to her on camera.  They've lined up a psychiatrist from Athens, GA who will then give tips - in a separate interview - on how to deal with that type of stress. She's hoping to shoot these before the end of the year, working around your schedule.

If you are a Survivor Mama living in or near Atlanta who has recovered from your PMD and would be willing to do this piece, presumably similar to the piece I did for WebMD, please contact Mria.

Blogs and Posts to check out for Info and Inspiration!

Sometimes when I am on a blogging binge I open a whole bunch of blogs/posts I come across via google alerts, other blogs, twitter, web-surfing, etc.  The posts stay open as tabs on a ridiculous number of Mozilla groups at the bottom of my screen for sometimes up to a week.  Today, I have at least 5 separate posts up, hopeful that I will be able to share each one of them with you.  Instead of making you wait for each one in a separate post here at Beyond Postpartum, I will simply list the links below.  Check out the ones of interest to you.

Don't Call Me Mother discusses post-adoption depression

How Massage Can Alleviate Depression

Deep South Moms: Women...who needs them?

Mindfulness helps to reduce anxiety and depression

Mary: A Role Model for Mothers

Depression and Christianity

I am often asked for resources or opinions on reconciling faith and mental health issues.  I find that the two most common questions I get from blog readers related to faith are about prescription meds (i.e. why can't I pray this hell away?) and faith and guilt associated with not being able to focus on God's blessings in the midst of deep depression and anxiety or feeling like God has abandoned them.

I have been facilitating a support group in churches for a little over a year now.  However, the group has welcomed people of all faiths.  Because of that, most of the conversations do lend themselves to a secular format.  This blog definitely has a faith bent and my individual peer support usually has one, as well (unless the woman specifically requests we not discuss faith).

Sue McRoberts's book, The Lifter of My Head is a terrific read related to surviving and recovery from PPD as a Christian. 

Here is a blog post that I published a few weeks ago from my Pastor specifically addressed to women struggling to reconcile faith and depression.

These are additional resources I just came across that I think do a nice job address depression from a Christian point of view in order to address some of the concerns we have when dealing with something as devastating as a mood disorder.

Here is a great site devoted to information and support for Christians suffering...I especially like the encouragement for those in pain and the "it's not your fault, do not feel guilty" motto here...

Christian Depression Pages

I will caution that in keeping with its conservative nature there is a bit more focus on advice specific to mild depression or being "blue."  

What should a Christian do if overwhelmed with depression?

PPD in Africa

I found the following article interesting.  I am always intrigued to read more about Perinatal Mood Disorders in other countries.  From what they are called (Postnatal Depression or PND in the UK and Austrailia) to what types of treatments are protocol in those locations, especially since research (though dated) has always seemed to assume that many countries- especially Eastern ones- seem to have lower rates of PPD.

This article, from All Africa, focuses on a Rwandan woman named Eve who was hospitalized just three days after her husband went back to work in an area away from home.

Here is another article on PPD in Africa:

New Moms in Africa Fight Postpartum Depression

Research on Postpartum Depression by University Student: Quick EPDS Survey

The following is a letter I received from a University student.  If you are currently suffering from or recovering from a PMD, please take a minute to take this survey (it's actually just the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale plus a few risk factors using Survey Monkey).

My name is Erin Listman and I am a student at Northern Virginia Community College. I will be graduating this semester, and will begin my major of Psychology at George Mason in January. As of now, I am taking a class on research methods, and have chosen postpartum depression as my area of study. I have chosen to conduct a survey examining factors of women's lives that may contribute to PPD, such as socioeconomic status, paternal satisfaction/support, number of previous births, age, and mental health history (previous diagnosis of anxiety/depression). This survey will be completely anonymous. I am asking for your support group's participation in this study. Below is a link to the survey, which includes the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (first 10 questions), and the remaining questions pertaining to the above factors.

Thank you,

Erin Listman
PPD Survey Link

OOPS! I am doing it again...

Shhhhh...don't tell.  I started another blog.  This one is for families who are looking for resources specific to Atlanta for Perinatal Mood Disorders.  Don't tell my husband, please. ;)

Close to Home

I have been dealing with/recovering from a known PMD for two years now.  Almost two years to the day ago was the worst day of my life.  Not to be dramatic, but to further explain...worse than being kidnapped (don't ask...it was a very short period of time and I wasn't injured).  worse than being abused for years by an alcoholic mother (she's been clean a long time and we have reconciled since). worse than breaking up with a first love I thought I would marry (better off with my true love now, anyway).  worse than just about anything I can imagine.  Thanksgiving 2007 was the day that I realized just. how. sick. I. was.  I couldn't get dressed.  I barely could cut my toenails so my shoes would fit.  I called my psychiatrist (yep, ON THANKSGIVING DAY) and told her I couldn't live like I was anymore.  I wanted to go into an inpatient program at a mental hospital...seriously...I was so desperate I wanted to go!

Last year's Thanksgiving was kind of uneventful, yet it was quite a great feeling I do remember to be as well as I was just one year later.  See, that November two years ago I was convinced that I was never going to get well.  Never.  My PPD was worse and different than ALL the PPD cases my psychiatrist had ever seen in her many years of practice, specializing in Perinatal Mood Disorders.  I just knew it.  She said all of her patients got better if compliant with treatment, but I mean really, how could she know for sure?  It seemed nearly impossible to me at the time that anyone could feel as bad as I felt (the emotional equivalent of "get me a priest, I need last rites").  Feeling that bad, how could I possibly get better?  I mean, seriously, people who are given 48 hours to live with cancer don't generally make a miraculous recovery and live to 100, do they?  That's how I remember feeling, though.  Like I would simply collapse and be swallowed up by the earth if I had to endure more than a couple more days of that hell.

So, you all already know who was right and who was wrong.  Thank God!  I was just too sick to see or believe the rational, research and statisic based evidence that was being presented to me.  I still needed to hear it though.  All women who are suffering need to hear it.  Even if they won't or can't or don't believe it, they need to hear it.  Over and over again.  YOU.  WILL. GET. BETTER.  Somewhere in our subconscious the "old, good, well us" is there and needs to be encouraged to come back out into this world again. 

This year and a half that I have been supporting women in Atlanta and beyond, most of whom are now Survivor Mamas, has been a mixed blessing.  It makes me sad that so many (generally 1 in 8) suffer from a PMD at all.  I wish we knew exactly how to prevent it.  But, I am so honored to be able to serve them (and God) by having the opportunity to do what I do.  This little bit that I do blesses me and I hope them a little, too.  Some of them have even become my friends in the process.  Recently, I have had my first experience with having someone I called "friend" before their PPD suffer.  While I always care deeply for the women with whom I develop a relationship through this shared burden, having an old friend of many years be overcome with a PMD and call to share their struggles is painful.  This person, this strong, competent, independant woman is scared, desperate, hopeless, guilt-ridden.  Oh Lord, why her?  Why does someone I already love have to be stricken by the anxiety, depression and obsessions?  It's just a little too close to home.  And yet, what a gift that we have each other and a relationship already formed and developed with trust and caring.  This is different.  And not all bad.  Thank you, God, for strengthening my friendship with her.  Thank you for providing a tiny diamond in the very, very rough.  You always provide.