Postpartum Depression

I tried to get the other Dr. Thomas in my family to write this, but it turns out that I, as a pediatrician, am more likely to see women with this before any other healthcare provider.  I see you back several times with your new baby before you are ever seen by your obstetrician and way before you would need to see a psychiatrist like my husband.  So, I'll do my thing, and save the more detailed stuff for the experts.  I especially want you guys to know what resources Racine has to offer and what medications are compatible with breastfeeding.

It turns out that the baby usually isn't the cause of the depression, but certainly can be adversely affected if we don't help you out.  And that means I need to help you and I can.  If anything here sounds like you and you want some help, you should, can, must contact me, your OB or your primary care physician and get help.

Baby Blues

Most of us have been here.  Baby Blues happen a couple of days after delivery in most women.  We go through mood swings, get irritable, cry because of beauty of motherhood and then snap because of little irritations.  After Ryan was born, I cried because the T-Rex came to save the kids when the Raptors were sure to kill them at the end of Jurassic Park.  With Ethan, it was the Lance Armstrong commercials for Nike that did me in.  This is normal.  It gets better, usually within a week.

Post Partum Depression

Nobody really knows what causes this.   The fact is though, if you are going through these symptoms, you certainly aren't the first (my goodness, they have a NAME for this... you can't be the first!) and there are plenty of people who want to help. Most women who experience postpartum depression probably have been depressed before. It happens anywhere from around 2 weeks to a year after delivery.  Warning signs:

• Prolonged irritability
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Feeling inadequate, worthless
• Tearfulness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Diminished concentration
• Loss of energy
• Frequent thoughts of death

Answer this:  Do you feel worried, anxious, miserable or guilty without any real reason?  Have you been unable to laugh or look forward to things you normally enjoy?  If the answer is yes to either, you need these resources.

Plus, you can answer and score your responses to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.  We will be asking you these questions in the office too. 

What you can do

• Ask for help (have I mentioned this?)
• Rest
• Rethink your expectations (click here for "How to be the Perfect Parent")
• Exercise when you have been given the OK by your doctor
• Psychotherapy
• Medications:  if you are nursing and have questions about medications and breastmilk, you can contact me.  In general, anytime we are considering medication for whatever reason, we consider whether the risk of taking the medication outweighs the risk of not getting treatment.  The same is true for this. No medication is "safe" during breastfeeding,  but the risk to the baby from you not being able to care for them is significant and often outweighs the risk of the medication. 

Resources