Every pregnant woman or new mother should be informed about Postpartum Depression. Cheryl Tatano Beck, Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor at the University of Connecticut, notes that there are certain things all soon-to-be or new mothers should ask their health care providers. These include asking about the signs and symptoms of PPD, and if, after delivery, he or she screens new mothers for PPD. Women should also find out if there are any local PPD support groups, and if there are mental health care professionals in her local area who specialize in postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.

“New mothers should look for the following symptoms: sleeping or eating disturbances, anxiety or insecurity, depressive mood, emotions on a rollercoaster, difficulty concentrating, loss of self (she doesn’t feel real or doesn’t know who she is anymore), guilt or shame, and most serious of all is suicidal thoughts,” Beck stresses. She adds that a mother with PPD won’t necessarily experience all these symptoms, and that every woman with PPD would experience a different constellation of symptoms.

Certain things put a woman more at risk for PPD, Beck says. “Risk factors for PPD can include prenatal depression, low self esteem, childcare stress, prenatal anxiety, life stress, low social support, poor marital relationship, history of depression, difficult infant temperament, maternity blues, single marital status, low socioeconomic status, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, preterm infant or infant in NICU, and mothers of multiples (twins, triplets).”

“There are a variety of treatment options that should be individualized for each mother,” Beck continues. “These include medication such as antidepressants, antianxiety medication, and therapy. Different therapies can include psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, or interpersonal therapy. Depending on the severity of symptoms, some mothers may be on just meds, or just therapy, or a combination of therapy and meds.”

Beck, who has published many professional journal articles about postpartum depression, points out that breastfeeding mothers who have PPD can still take antidepressants. “The mother should have her pediatrician in on the decision of which medication to use for her depression,” she says. “There are safer antidepressants that mothers can take and still breastfeed. Obstetricians, nurse midwives, and mental health care professionals need to keep up with the current research on medications and breastfeeding.”

We’ve all been told that the period of time after giving birth should be joyous. Sometimes after giving birth, however, women have feelings they don’t want to discuss with anyone else for fear of looking like a “bad mother” who doesn’t appreciate her newborn. The stigma attached to postpartum depression (PPD) is so great that, although one in eight women will experience PPD, 80% of these cases will go undiagnosed and untreated. Just admitting to yourself and others that you have PPD is the first step towards getting help. After the birth of my son five years ago, I suffered from PPD, yet to this day, only my husband, my mother, and my OB/GYN know about it. At least two of my friends admitted to me after the fact that they had experienced PPD too, yet didn’t seek out any friends at the time to talk about it.

Depression symptoms don’t have to occur just after birth to qualify as PPD. PPD symptoms can occur anytime during the first year after a live birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage. Depression associated with PPD may be mild, moderate, or severe, and has absolutely no bearing on one’s worth as mother. Eighty percent of all women will experience a mild “baby blues” after birth, including feelings of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness, which usually passes within a few weeks. Symptoms lasting over two weeks usually qualify as PPD, which is only experienced by about 12% of all new mothers. The more severe postpartum psychosis, in which the new mother experiences psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions, occurs in only 0.01% of all new mothers.

Causes of PPD are unknown, but are thought to be a change in hormone levels after pregnancy, lack of sleep, feeling isolated and alone, loss of freedom, medical problems after birth, a difficult birth, high levels of stress, and/or a family history of depression. Some of the symptoms of PPD include insomnia or sleeping too much; appetite changes; feeling irritable, angry, or nervous; feeling exhausted; lack of interest in the baby; lack of interest in friends or family; lack of interest in sex; feeling guilty or worthless; feeling hopeless; uncontrollable crying; feeling like a bad mother; problems concentrating; low energy levels; thoughts of hurting the baby; and/or thoughts of hurting oneself.

Treatments recommended for PPD include support groups, individual counseling, and antidepressant medications. Medication isn’t the answer for everyone, however, as some women can’t tolerate the side effects. (One common side effect from SSRI antidepressants is loss of libido, which can cause even more problems for a woman who is already depressed and/or anxious). Alternative, non-medical treatments include exercise, supplements, and acupuncture.

We’d like to hear from you. Have you suffered from PPD, or know someone who has? Sharing our stories can help other women who may be going through the same thing right now, or educate pregnant women about possibilities of what to expect after birth. Feel free to email us with your stories or comments, which may be featured in a future UpscaleBaby.com/blog post. You may remain anonymous if you wish.

Not all women will experience postpartum depression, not all women experience it immediately after childbirth, and not all women have the same symptoms. Having a Just for Mama Postpartum Recovery Kit sounds like having an earthquake preparedness kit  - just be prepared.

If you’re expecting and you’ve been shopping for baby items, why not include a few Mommy items on your list. It’s important to take care of yourself for you and baby. If you’re fortunate to have family nearby who are willing and able to assist with baby’s homecoming, be sure to share with them any concerns in this area you may be having. Have some of your favorite things handy: a new nightgown, a favorite movie or book, a cd of your favorite music, some of your favorite goodies in the fridge. You can also include the specially chosen items from the Postpartum Recovery Kit: Postpartum Recovery Tea, 42 g.(1.5 oz.), Postpartum Recovery Bath Herbs, 112 g.(4 oz.), New Mama Bottom Spray 30 ml.(1 oz.), Happy Mama Spray 30 ml.(1 oz.), and Earth Mama Bottom Balm 30 ml.(1 oz.).

Pick up one of these kits for $45.95 at bambinoland.com.