when mama gets blue | Fit Pregnancy Cord Blood Banking Fertility & Conception Prenatal Workouts Health Food & Nutrition Sex & Relationships Labor & Delivery Best Cities to Have a Baby Postnatal Workouts Health Food & Nutrition Breastfeeding Motherhood Fatherhood Sex & Relationships Work & Money Baby Care Baby Health & Development Baby Feeding Fashion Gear Memories Nursery Prenatal Workouts Postnatal Workouts Target Training Labor Prep Beauty Fashion Star Moms Website Directory Finds & Favorites Sweepstakes & Promotions Polls Fit Pregnancy Club Where to get help Postpartum Support International offers information, research, publications, Web sites and a directory of support groups. Write to PSI at 927 N. Kellogg Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93111; call 805-967-7636; or visit the organization’s Web site at www.postpartum.net. Depression After Delivery provides support and information for women suffering from depression during or after pregnancy. It offers telephone support, support groups and referrals. Write to Depression After Delivery at 91 E. Somerset St., Rarian, NJ 08869; call 800-944-4PPD; or to visit the organization’s Web site click here. Postpartum Depression Bulletin Board (through iVillage.com). This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression, by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Davis Raskin (Bantam Books, 1994). Overcoming Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, by Linda Sebastian (LPC, 1998). Your New Life ------------------------- Postnatal Workout Pilates Playtime more >> Food & Nutrition still eating for two more >> Health Best Cities: A Few of Your Favorite Places more >> Breastfeeding Feeding Made Simple more >> Motherhood Best Cities: A Few of Your Favorite Places more >> Fatherhood Best Cities: The Top 10 more >> Sex & Relationships make room for one more more >> Work & Money Best Cities: A Few of Your Favorite Places more >> Other Resources ------------------------- Pregnancy glossary How much weight should I gain? Exercise guidelines Nutrients you need Top 5 Nutrients What is diastasis? Just had a baby? How to Breastfeed when mama gets blue By Mona Gable illustration: Jordin Isip 1 | Page 2 What causes PPD?> Hendrick says the stresses of being a new mother and assuming new responsibilities appear to be more significant than hormonal shifts in causing PPD. Women with a history of depression are the most susceptible, followed by single moms who are isolated or who lack social support. If you have a high-needs baby, you may also be vulnerable. One of the most potent risk factors for postpartum depression is conflict with the father. “That’s one reason I like to see the couple together when I do an assessment,” Hendrick says. There’s also evidence that women who were depressed during pregnancy are at greater risk. So it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about any symptoms even before the baby comes. And to maintain as much emotional stability as possible, put off making big life changes such as switching jobs, moving or buying a new house for as long as possible after giving birth. What to do> Share your feelings with family and friends. Talk to your doctor; PPD should be treated, whether with psychotherapy, appropriate medications or a combination of both. Research indicates that even if you’re breastfeeding, it’s safe to use most antidepressants. “We’d rather have a woman nurse and take an antidepressant than have her stay depressed,” Hendrick says. “In terms of the baby, it’s better to have a happy mom than to be exposed to the mom’s depression.” And know that other women have successfully overcome PPD. “Find out as much as you can,” Freed says. “There’s so much more [information] out there now than when I went through it. Spouses need to read about it, too; otherwise they won’t know what you’re going through.” 1 | Page 2 Mona Gable is a contributor to the book Mothers Who Think: Tales of Real-Life Parenthood (Pocket Books, 2000). ---------------------------------- Latest User Comments: I guess you can say I am depressed now and my son is 11 month.I have no family no real social support because my friends have kids of their own,I am feeling very tired,burned out,and drained.I also have a son that is 4 years old and It happen to me also when he was 11 months I had a breakdown and tried to kill myself .I don't feel that now at all .I love my life,and have so much to live for and love my boys dearly but I think ther is alot of mothers become dpressed with babies between 6-12months. -- sandra i suffered from ppd with my 2nd child, and now again with my 3rd, this time i am determined to get all the help i need, and feel like myself again. don't be afraid to talk to anyone, even if you run your phone bill to the 100's, talk to someone and look for support and seek profesional help. -- rosa I was in denial for at least the first 3 1/2 months of the birth of my only child. The things I noticed first were: not wanting to socialize with ANYONE but my husband, (including not answering any phone calls), I'd lay around in my PJ's all day not wanting to go anywhere or do anything. I'd feel guilty, worthless and like I wasn't going to be a very good mom. I was very scared when I read that depression can affect your new baby so I made my appointment right away. I didn't want to have a negative influence on the first few months or year of my son's life! We are doing better now but it's been a long road. Good luck to all the women suffering from this. You can beat this. -- Kim More Comments Manage your subscription Give a gift subscription Renew your subscription Customer care ---------------------- Website Directory Finds & Favorites Sweepstakes & Promotions Polls ---------------------- Home | Your Pregnancy | Your New Life | Your Baby | Fitness | Style | Freebies | Fit Pregnancy Club | Site Map Contact Us | Subscribe | Privacy Policy | Advertise with Us | Advisory Board © 2006 Weider Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. FitPregnancy.com is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice from your physician. As a pregnant woman, you are specifically warned to seek medical advice prior to initiating any exercise program, diet, or treatment provided by FitPregnancy.com. You should not use any information on this website for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. 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