Post Partem Depression

[Kassimom]

Good morning ladies! I have been a little curious about this and so I thought I would get a dicussion going about it.

With my pregnancy with DD I was so afraid I would get PPD. I was experiencing stress in so many areas of my life it didn't seem escapable. Then with breastfeeding, my H didn't want me to do it, HIS family didn't want me to do it, my mother thought a few weeks of it was adequete and I should quit after that....I had absolutely NO support in any arena. And yet I DID escape PPD.

So with this one, I am a little afraid that perhaps PPD sneak up on you and you can't really be a candidate for it or not. YOu just get it or you don't. I have read that breastfeeding releases "happy" hormones and that helps to keep PPD away (though not always).

So what have you been through or heard of or read about this? Can it be prevented? And if so, how? And are there women who are more prone to it? If so, who and why?

[sm8]

with my first dd i breastfed with very little support.  My DH sweet and suporting wasn't behind me on this insisted i sat in another room by myself when i would feed her.  I felt sad because of being by myself but i didn't get ppd.  with my other two dd i didn't try to breastfeed at all and got a slight bit of the baby blues nothing i couldn't get over on my own but I thin breastfeeding does definitely help.

[Niki73]

I had ppd with my daughter and I did breast feed her for the first 6 weeks. You know you hear about it all the time but when you are going through it - it just doesn't sink in that you have it and you need to get some support. I think as mothers we feel we can do everything and try to be strong that we don't accept that we need help. I really struggled with it too because we had so many problems trying to conceive and finally I had this beautiful baby and I wasn't excited about it at all. I didn't want to see anyone, didn't want to talk to anyone and hadn't it when people would leave messages how excited they were because I wasn't. I remember one time a lady at my grandmothers work asked me didn't I just want to cry when I look at her....and I thought a minute and I said no...oh my gosh the lady gave me a look that could kill...but I wasnt' having those feelings at all...I honestly would say by the 4month it just lifted just like that I woke up one morning and that feeling was just gone! So I don't know if the breast feeding as anything to do with it or not...I only breast feed for 6 weeks because we found out my daughter was lactose intolerant and now she has a milk allergy but I hope this helped a little bit. I am really worried with this pregnancy that I may get it again. I will definatly call my doctor this time around. You know I never felt I wanted to hurt my daughter or myself but I felt like life as I was use to was over meaning everything was different and I'd never enjoy myself again and there was nothing at all to look forward too nothing. Keep asking hubby if he was leaving because I ruined everything it was really sad the poor guy probably thought he had married a fruit loop! Swore I'd never have another baby and now I can't wait to have more!!!! Good Luck, NIki

[nanakay]

i think it is both, some women just get it and some are prone to get it.  my friend sara got it with her 2nd son but she is also prone to have depression anyway pp or not.

i know after my ds was born my dh had timed his leave from work instead of leaving when i went into labor....so he was only at home with me for a couple days and then headed off to work.....i balled the entire time he got ready for work and while he left and for the half an hour after he left (he came back half hour after that)  he got to work and some of the veteran daddys told him he did his leave wrong and then informed him that he could take more time if he felt we needed it...so they covered his shift and sent him home. (i know he works with awsome guys)
i don't know why him going back to work made me cry so much but it was almost like i was afraid i wasn't going to know what to do with this little tiny baby or something. needless to say he stayed home for another week and then i felt fine about him going back to work....so i doubt i had true ppd but just the normal post baby blues.
~nanci

[Angel4JohnnyB]

Okay, just slap me if this gets too long because I really need to jump in the shower........lol

I am breastfeeding (as you know) with some support but I'm not supported by some of the people that I thought would support me whole heartedly.
I only see my mother maybe once a month but I talk to her at least once a week and every time she has something new to tell me that she "HEARD"......she says Talon hangs out on the breast for too long and that I don't have time to do anything, that I'm too tied down. She tells me that she heard I "should" be giving him at least one bottle a day.....and on and on....
My father (suprisingly enough) seems to support the issue more than her (I've only seen him once since Talon was born and did not feed in front of him) the only negative things he said were that he doesn't like when a women doesn't even try to cover herself in public and that I wouldn't have enough milk supply to sustain Talon for an entire year. (The later was just a comment not really negativity)

I did get PPD or the baby blues, whatever you want to call it, but it was pretty mild I thought. I did not have any problems with my son 10 years ago but this time I did....When dh went back to work after a week or so I wanted to kill him. I cried at every little thing he said or did, and cried even harder when he tried to be too nice or too helpful......I did not feel unhappy about the baby though, as one mentioned above. I did and do feel like crying with happiness when I look at him and sometimes my eyes to well up when I'm talking to him. I just love him soooooo much. I don't remember feeling that kind of a bond with my 10 year old when he was a baby though. Of course I loved him but this kind of "bond" just wasn't there, maybe because I was so young (19)........
It is possible that you will have no problems at all and then it is possible you will have mild or severe problems....
I'm sorry I can't tell you "who" is prone to get it....
I just wanted to share my story.
And as for the "HAPPY HORMONES" while breastfeeding.......I believe that!!!! If Talon is eating good and not being fussy then I just sit back and am sooooooooo relaxed......by the way, those are the times I well up with tears when I'm talking to him.....:)
Best of luck to you and I'm always here to talk if you need to, you have my e-mail addy!!!!!!!
Hugs,
Vikki

[Kassimom]

Thanks for that link Christie!

AndiJ-So we should report ANY change in habit to our Dr?

Oh and it's been 6 yrs since I had DD, girls so share with me....How often and how many times do you see your Dr after having the baby? And who should you talk about possible PPD to? Your OB, PCP or should you contact a therapist? And should you mention it to your pedi if you are diagnosed?

[Kassimom]

BTW, sorry for all the questions, I am goign to print this out and save it if I need it after baby is born AND I am hoping that these answers may help someone who happens to read and may have PPD or may be feeling like you are al describing!

I appreciate all the time you are taking to answer my questions, silly as they may be!

[nurse12hr]

I'd talk about it with your OB first off.  Of course they are not therapists (not even CLOSE!), but if things get to the point where your ability to function is beginning to suffer, they can usually start you on medication.

I would also see a therapist.

Make sure you show your husband the signs of what to watch for, too.  Sometimes you may not recognize the symptoms when you are there.

Just curious--is there a reason you are so concerned about this?  None of my business, but just wondering.  Do you know someone with it, or heard of a bad outcome?

[Emma1]

Kassimom - I am at high risk for having it not only before I have Carrigan, but after as well. Simply b/c my body has been through 3 surguries, and a miscarriage in the last year. On top of that, DH hading heart surgery, buying a new house, DD, and just a lot of changes. Ob told me that she would watch me closely and make sure she kept a handle on it. This is the only reason I am at a higher risk. If you haven't had anything/a lot going on stress wise, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I had it a little with DD, but it was over in a week and I was good to go.

A lot depedns on how much stress/trauma your body has gone through in the time before you get preggo. Unfortunately, mine has been through a lot, but I'm hoping I don't get PPD very badly! I'd love to not have it at all, but I've got to face the fact that I may and know how I can handle it. Hopefully you will escape it as well. Sorry if my spelling is crappy, but I'm trying to get this in before I leave work! I hope you have a great evening!

[nurse12hr]

Here's an excellent link, with info on the different types, who is at risk, prevention, treatment, everything.

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/postpartum.htm

[Kassimom]

Okay great stories and advice so far! Thanks! I love to hear about everyone's own experiences. I am hoping to go into the birth armed! LOL That way if those baby blues do strike, at least I KNOW I can handle it.

So far, I can see know reason for me to get PPD, but that is what worries me too. Is there a reason you get it? Probably not, although I am sure there are situations that create recipes for it TO occur.

Angel4-YOu should get a book called "SO that's what those are for!" It's GREAT! I am reading it now and it's really been helpful about breastfeeding. It's has some good advice to help you continue nursing just when you think everyone else wants you to stop. My MIL is already starting in with "Won't you give him at least ONE bottle a day so we can help feed him?" GGrrrrr....I am polite but firm. NO WAY! NO bottles! In fact, I registered for a FEW bottles for JUST IN CASE I need them and for juice later on when he is older. I told DH I am HIDING THEM before he is born and telling her I took them back!! I dont' want to fall asleep and wake up to find my baby getting a bottle and my MIL saying "Oh He was hungry and I didn't want to wake you!" Talk about bringing on PPD! I think that would bring on PPB!! (Post Partem B*tch!!!) LOL

[chaisemom]

I think I had some mild baby blues after ds was born. Most of it was dealing with my own self image and adjusting to new motherhood. I was used to sleeping 8-10 hrs,/ night and after ds was here I got 5 hrs. on a good night. Pregnancy was not kind to my body either, I went from size 7 to size 15 for a few months after he was born and I did not want people looking at me because of how fat I had gotten not to mention my boobies stayed the same size as they were when I was pg., 3 sizes bigger than what they had been and they were very droopy. I also had stretch marks from the top of my arms to my knees.  My self esteem took a plunge although I never discussed these issues with anyone and dh was very kind and understanding and did not think of me as any less of a woman for it. He loved me more for bringing his ds into the world. I did not start to feel better until I took off some of the weight and got a breat augmentation and decided it was time to accept myself for who I was instead of fighting myself wanting to have my body back to the way it was pre-preg. because I had a beautiful baby boy and loving husband who did not care how fat I had gotten, they just wanted me to love them.

[Still_AndiJ]

PPD can take many forms, not just typical depression. This was something new to me but i was given all sorts of literature when I had Tristan as I am a dx Type II bi-polar and they were worried. Borderline OCD behaviors like constant cleaning can be symptom as well. Just something to think about, PPD doesn't always present as weepiness, it can present in many forms...



Andrea

[Still_AndiJ]

I know with the mild PPD I have been experiencing is presenting as agitation. Not so much weepiness or depression, but I just find my fuse is a bit shorter with DH and sometimes even my 2 year old (don't worry, I am not taking it out on him). I would definitely report any changes you notice and definitely let those close to you what to look for.

As far as PP appointments, it all depends on the delivery. With Jonathan I had 3rd almost 4th degree episiotomy so I was seen at 2 weeks and 6 weeks PP. But with Tristan I was only scheduled for a 6 week and then again at 8 weeks for my IUD placement. It varies greatly depending on the doctor's preference and how the delivery went.

With PPD, mention it to your OB first as Christie mentioned. I mentioned it to mine and surprise (not really) she blew me off. I then went to my PCP and he wrote the rx for meds and made the suggestion that I see me therapist if it didn't seem to help.


Andrea

[Kassimom]

Again thank you all for your comments.

And no no real reason I am concerned other than the fact that I was so oblivious to this kind of thing with my DD. I mena I had heard of it but never to the extent that this thread has taught me. Had I gotten PPD with DD in any other form than depression, I might have been ignorant to it.  

I just wanted to go into the end of this pregnancy prepared for anything, as it seems that this little guy is throwing me curve balls left and right. Things I never experienced with DD and things I never THOUGHT I would experience (i.e. bed rest!) he has literally just thrown at me. I am a pretty laid back person. I can roll with the punches as well as anybody, sometimes better. I just wonder if giving birth to this little guy is going to throw my hormones for a loop!

I will heed your advice and let DH know the signs to look for, but beyond that I am going to start making lists and things he can do for me when I first get home and let him know he can be a big help toward me NOT having PPD. Like making sure DD is taken care of, laundry is done, dinner is made and the house is generally clean, all things that I might stress about while trying to nurse a newborn and heal!

Thanks again Ladies! What a big help!