Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Besides sleep deprivation, anxiety will become a constant companion for you. Is baby getting enough to drink? Is he sleeping in the right position? Is she breathing normally?  However, while some anxiety is normal, there are signs to look out for that your anxiety is too much of a companion.

New moms are full of hormones. When you take in to account those raging hormones and squeeze in a lot of stress and a bit of anxiety, the mixture can explode on you. A small bit on anxiety can go on and grow and grow until a snowball effect happens. You might have a full-blown anxiety attack (panic attack) when you have too much untreated anxiety.

Everyone has anxiety. Will you be a good parent? Will your baby be happy and healthy? Those are normal concerns. The problem comes in to play when you obsess over what could be...for instance, instead of looking at tomorrow’s trip to Grandma’s house as a good thing, you worry over every little thing. What if you forget something? What if you get in a car crash? What if the baby won’t quit crying? What if? What if? What if?

The constant what if’s, especially when they control or affect your life adversely, are not normal. Sometimes anxiety and postpartum depression are good friends and can settle in to your house and not leave without help. Just like a case of post partum depression, you may need a prescription medication to bump the excess anxiety from your life.

When anxiety is creeping in on you, try these little tricks:

• Stop what you are doing and take deep breaths. If you can, sit or lie down. Continue your deep breathing and focus on nothing else.
• Make a list. Find some paper and a pen and write down everything that is bothering you in one column. In the next column, write down if or how you can even solve the problem. Chances are, when you write it down it won’t seem so overwhelming.
• Try yoga or some form of exercise. Exercise gets your system moving and the energy drains the anxiety away.
• Find a relaxing activity. It would be hard to find a new hobby, since you are busy with baby, but you can enjoy a long soak in the tub. If you don’t like baths, try reading a book while baby naps or is in the swing.
• Find another new mother who can share your ups and downs. When you have someone who is in a similar situation, you won’t feel so isolated.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes just knowing you have a backup, for instance someone to call during the day if your partner is gone, is a relief. A friend or neighbor would probably be more than happy to lend a hand or even an ear if you feel anxiety coming on.

When the anxiety feels overwhelming, don’t be afraid to call your doctor. Anxiety and panic attacks can be as serious as postpartum depression. A doctor can prescribe counseling, medication or both. Needing help isn’t a sign of weakness either. Getting help is important and shows you care about your health and how it can affect how you care for your baby.

Post Partum Depression - Truth or Make Believe

Having a baby is one of the hardest things your body can do. Since it is such a tough process both physically and emotionally, it affects your hormones and chemical balance. When there is a chemical imbalance in the brain, one of the resulting conditions is called post partum depression or PPD.

In recent years, post partum depression has been talked about a lot more than ever before. Hollywood celebrities such as Brooke Shields, Marie Osmond and Gwyneth Paltrow have all come forward and said they suffered to some extent from a form of post partum depression. When people are talking about the condition, it makes it a little easier to understand and a bit easier to diagnose. Usually.

So, what do you do when you have read about the symptoms and signs for PPD and think you have it?

The first answer would be to call your obstetrician. Since they delivered your baby and have monitored your condition for the last ten months, they are in the best position to diagnose you and prescribe the proper treatment. Treatment may include a daily anti-depressant or other suitable medicine taken orally. The medicine may only be needed for the short term until your hormone influx can balance itself out.  If the prescription is needed long-term, don’t fret. Many men and women have taken anti-depressants long term with no ill side effects.

Sometimes you don’t even need medicine, but support in the form of a psychologist. They can speak with you and get to the root of the problem in a few sessions or less. This doctor may discover in your conversations that you may benefit from medicine and prescribe it. As long as the medicine helps you, it doesn’t matter which doctor it comes from.

What happens when you call your doctor, but they offer no help?

This may sound unlikely, but it has happened. One harried first time mom was feeling blue, unusually so, and called the doctor’s office to ask questions. The nurse who answered her call asked a bunch of questions and came up with this response. “You’re just tired. You just need to sleep it off and then you’ll feel better.”

That is not an adequate answer. First, it wasn’t a diagnosis from the doctor and second, the diagnosis wasn’t made in person. Make an appointment to sit with the doctor or even a nurse in person. Sometimes sitting in the office face to face will get you better results than a short discussion over the phone will.

When calling or even an appointment doesn’t get the results you think you need, getting a second opinion is an option. If you truly believe you are suffering from PPD, call another doctor. Try your family physician or even a pediatrician if you already have one. They may be able to prescribe you the medicine or therapy you need to feel better. When they cannot, they can always refer you to a different practicing doctor who can.

Don’t go without treatment if you are feeling blue. Chances are the first call you make will be successful and you will get the help you need immediately. But just in case you don’t, know that you always have other options. Sometimes you just need to investigate your options a little bit harder or with more than one specialist.