Scared of PPD

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MESSAGE POSTED:

ECHAP77
BabyPoints: 2790
Posts: 1022
12/31/06 11:32 P

I remember with my first two, after I gave birth, I missed being pregnant (even though it sucked while I was). I physically missed it. I would wake in the middle of the night holding my belly, and then be shocked to remember that there wasn't anything in there. But it went away shortly, and it was usually just in my 'dreams'. It was so much nicer though, that the baby was in the bassinet beside me than in my belly. I did have baby blues (not PPD) for a few weeks with both of mine. I have had some depression this year so I hope that doesn't carry over to postpartum and turn into PPD. Good luck to you, I'm sure you will be fine. Just try to not to be anxious about it.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

JOELENE_18
Posts: 47
12/31/06 4:20 P

I was afraid of PPD and as it turned out I had PPD and I believe it was mostly due to the fact of so much disappointment in the birthing process. I had dreamed of having a vaginal delivery and I ended up with a C-section and way earlier than I had hoped too. I had to stay in the hospital for over two weeks and breastfeeding hadn't worked the way I had ademately intented it to. I was really sad about the outcome and wanted more for my son and I. I still have a hard time with the emotional status of the situation but adore my son and I guess thats all that counts!

BOBBYLOVESRIANE
Posts: 12804
8/11/06 2:21 P

Here is some good info on PPD -

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is caused by changes in hormones and can run in families. Women with severe premenstrual syndrome are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. Mild or moderate depression, either postpartum or otherwise, can be treated with medication or with psychotherapy, or, particularly for women with severe cases, a combination of the two. Women who have postpartum depression love their children but may be convinced that they're not able to be good mothers.

Postpartum depression is distinguished from the baby blues both by its duration and the debilitating effects of indifference the mother has about herself and her children.

Baby Blues:
Many women experience baby blues – an extremely common reaction following delivery – it usually appears suddenly on the third or fourth day. It’s estimated that up to 70% of all new mothers experience this emotional letdown, which generally does not impair functioning. Symptoms usually include crying for no reason, irritability, restlessness and anxiety. These are common and frequently less severe postpartum reactions.

Postpartum Depression:
About one in 10 new mothers experience some degree of postpartum depression. These complications usually occur within just days after the delivery, and can occur even a year later. These symptoms include:

Sluggishness
Fatigue
Exhaustion
Feelings of hopelessness or depression
Disturbances with appetite and sleep
Confusion
Uncontrollable crying
Lack of interest in the baby
Fear of harming the baby or oneself
Mood swings – highs and lows

At Risk:
A past history of non-postpartum mood disorder and a family history of mood disorder increases the risk of postpartum depression.

A woman experiencing postpartum depression usually has several of these mild to severe symptoms – the symptoms and their severity may alternate. Usually the woman experiencing these symptoms feels isolated, guilty and ashamed.·

Postpartum-onset mood episodes can present with or without psychotic features. Infanticide is most often associated with postpartum psychotic episodes that are characterized by command hallucinations to kill the infant, but it can also occur in severe postpartum mood episodes without such specific delusions or hallucinations.

The risk of postpartum episodes with psychotic features is particularly increased for women with prior postpartum mood episodes, but elevated for those with a history of mood disorders. Once a woman has a postpartum episode with psychotic features, the risk of recurrence is 30-50% with each delivery.

There is a subset of women who experience postpartum psychotic episodes that may include infanticide. This is characterized by hallucinations by the new mother to kill the infant, or delusions that the infant might be possessed.
Postpartum Anxiety or Panic Disorder
There are some women who, after giving birth, have intense anxiety or irrational fears. They may have symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sense of impending doom and dizziness. There is also another subset of women that experience OCD after birth. They may have repetitive thoughts, including harming the baby. They may avoid the baby to alleviate these thoughts, and they may feel anxious.

Researchers have suggested that rapid changes in hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone and thyroid have a strong effect on moods.

Treatment for postpartum depression
Women need to be taken seriously when these symptoms occur. Generally a combination of psychotherapy and medication can reduce these symptoms. The ideal treatment plan includes:

Medical evaluation to rule out physiological problems
Psychiatric evaluation
Psychotherapy
Possible medication
Support group

It is imperative that women being treated for postpartum depression continue with treatment even after they feel better, because if they stop the treatment prematurely, symptoms can recur.

Psychosis of Postpartum Depression:
Postpartum-onset mood episodes can occur with or without psychotic features. Infanticide is most often associated with postpartum psychotic episodes characterized by command hallucinations to kill the infant, or delusions that the infant is possessed. But it can also occur in severe postpartum mood episodes without such specific delusions or hallucinations.

Postpartum mood episodes with psychotic features appear to occur in from 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 deliveries.

Postpartum depression can evolve into psychosis following a dramatic or traumatic event.

Dena
Babyfit baby Bobby born on 7/12/04.

FRANNYBABY
Posts: 580
8/11/06 1:38 P

Thank you, I guess I will try not to worry about it but will definitely make sure I am aware and will let DH know about it too...

-Mommy to Brandon Thomas, born via emergency C-section.
-Switched to a midwife and hoping for a VBAC with the second...
-"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog." -Dwight Eisenhower
**Proud vaccinating, (future) public schooling, crib sleeping, Pampers/Huggies/Luvs diapering, formula feeding (hopeful future breastfeeding), future again babywearing, "Gerber" feeding, SAHM!

BOBBYLOVESRIANE
Posts: 12804
8/11/06 10:14 A

There isn't really a way to prepare for the emotional rollercoaster of giving birth. PPD is something that is usually uncontrollable, due to the rapid drop in hormones after birth.
Most women go through the Baby Blues after birth without having violent thoughts.
It has a lot to do with the support you have, the kind of birth you have and the health of your child.
I had the Baby Blues for longer than normal, about 10 weeks. I never had support and went through an emergency c-section with my son, and on top of that, he was a terrible sleeper.

The key thing is to not feel bad for being sad, that is normal. What is not normal (healthy) is to have thoughts of violence towards yourself or the baby. If that happens, you need to seek help immediately. The best thing you can do to prepare is be educated on the signs and inform your SO of them too so you can take action if needed.

Dena
Babyfit baby Bobby born on 7/12/04.

FRANNYBABY
Posts: 580
8/11/06 10:08 A

I'm a little nervous that I'm going to end up with post partum depression...now, this may sound like a childish/uneducated statement, but I just love being pregnant so much, as I had a very pleasant pregancy, that I'm afraid I'm going to suffer from it after I give birth. I don't know, I'm basically just frightened of the condition...is there any way to avoid it...I don't want to be put on medication because I want to breastfeed...I've never taken antidepressants or anything like that either...Does anyone else feel the same way, and is there any way to just relax and go with the flow?? Is it something that can be avoided with "preparation?"

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