Post-partum depression...any warning signs?

[lapinluv]

Has anyone who has experience post-partum depression had any warning signs? I had the "baby blues" when DD was born, but nothing too extreme (at least to my knowledge).

But, with all the stress lately, I've already started to feel blue. I'm afraid of a serious situation developing after the baby is born. But, I've never had a problem with depression, so I don't want to raise alarms, when there may be no issue.

Anyway I can avoid PDD or prepare now, in case something happens?

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

In terms of avoiding PPD, my biggest advice to you (mom of 3 here) is to get up and get going ASAP.

I showered and dressed daily, even if it was at noon

And loading the kids up and going SOMEWHERE made a huge difference in my mood. Drive thru at the bank, to mail letters, pick up dry cleaning, walk around the block, anything at all.

Good luck to you and that precious new baby

 

[Mskanga]

I did not know what PPD was until I had my first baby , and I scared the heck out of my doctor so bad that he gave me his personal beeper number to call anytime. I had no idea what was going on with me, all I knew is that I felt overwhealmed and wanted to cry. I got through it and when I got pregnant the second time I had no time to get depressed, my four year old and the new baby kept me on my toes.
My advice is , if you feel blue after birth , do not hesitate to talk to your doctor and seek help.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Just wanted to add that you certainly need to talk to your doctor and seek help if you are feeling more than just baby blues.

I have always heard of true PPD described as being overwhelmed to the point of not being able to care for yourself and/or your baby.

Best wishes to you

 

[RadioNate]

I suffered from real ppd not just the baby blues I don't really want to talk about it here as it was the worst time in my life.

Just please if you suspect anything talk to your Dr asap. Get medication, therpy anything you can as soon as it is safe.

I don't think you can prevent it but you can have a plan to deal with it and have your Dr and other looking out for you.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Do not wait...go talk to your dr right now! As someone who suffers *still* from PPD and had to get medical help for it...I do not advise waiting at all!

I agree with RadioNate..having PPD is the worst thing that can ever happen to a woman. I was on medication to get through the worst of it. There were times in the beginning, before I knew what I had, when I would sit and cry all day.

If you want to PM me,please do so. I have been there and am still struggling with PPD daily. You are not alone in this.

You might want to pick up a copy of "Behind the Smile" by Marie Osmond. A VERY good read on PPD.

TOV

 

[MelessaG]

I've had four kids, with #3 I had PPD. There was a huge difference between it and the baby blues I had with the other three. It's normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you already have a child at home because they aren't kidding when they say the work multiplies with each child. What isn't normal is to feel hopeless, like you will never get used to the changes and never really feel happy again. When I found myself fighting the temptation to take my foot off the brake at a red light and coast into oncoming traffic "so I could get some sleep in the hospital," I called my doctor ASAP.

 

[Laurabearz]

I had PPD with my second.... It wasnt until I was shopping in a grocrey store and everything was a cartoon, that I finally got help. I kept thinking it would get better. The Cartoons told me it wouldnt. For some reason... I never crossed that invisable line that would make me think that killing my children would be a good idea, but I saw that line.... real close.

I called for help when I got back from the store... I had suffered, my whole family suffered for over 9 months... thinking it would get better. I am still thankful for that line.... and thankful I called for help.

Zoloft for a year... and now I am peachy. (lots in between lol)

When I got preggo with #3 I was afraid..... very afraid.... but ya know what... I was fine after he was born. The body and mind are amazing.... I did however prepare for the worst and clued my new doctors in....

Anger is another sign of depression... watch for that too...

 

[capthooksmom]

I did not suffer from PPD, but wanted to share something that I was told by my endocrinologist.

I have hypothyroidism, but after I delivered my son, my thyroid levels were completely out of whack. Sometimes my levels were low, sometimes they were high. My endocrinologist told me this often happens after having a baby, and that some in the medical profession think that (some) cases of PPD may actually be thyroid problems. If you haven't had your thyroid checked, it might be worth looking at.

Good luck to everyone

 

[grlpwrd]

Here's a website I often refer to that may be of help: http://www.kellymom.com/ppd/index.html It's a breastfeeding site, but any mom can learn from it.... even after having my 15mo son (I also have 3 school-aged dd's) I still refer to that site for different issues.

There's a link to a quiz that can help you gauge whether you have PPD or not plus other helpful links discussing treatment. This is a direct link to herbal remedies on that site: http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/ppd-herbal.html Yet consult with your dr. or other medical professional first because some may not be safe for any particular condition you may already have or it may interact with medications you are presently taking.

Definitely talk to your dr. I don't think it's preventable per se, but I've read that regular exercise seems to help keep your endorphin levels high and the routine, being outdoors if possible, and being productive helps your psyche.

If you are breastfeeding please be aware that some medications are not safe.

Definitely get yourself evaluated by your dr., though...I cannot stress enough the importance of it because a bulletin board is not the place to accept such medical advice so readily, kwim? I don't know your medical history, I'm not a professional, etc.

GL and hang in there! Like they always say, this, too, shall pass.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I suffered from PPD until dd was 18 months old. I suffered from it for so long because I didn't get help for it. So I just want to repeat everyone...speak with your doctor.

 

[piglet too]

I too suffered from PPD for a long time after my oldest was born, because I did not say anything. It was real bad after my DD was born, and at five months I came pretty close to rock bottom and got help. Please talk to your doctor now. There is no shame in asking for help and I know of several woman who avoided severe PPD because they started treatment while they were pregnant.

 

[lapinluv]

Thanks for your replies. Now that I'm reading them, I realize I probably had much more than the baby blues. I never wanted to hurt DD, but often spent the day crying or feeling like my life was never going to be "normal".

I'll talk to my doctor at the next visit. Like I said, I'm feeling blue now and do have a lot of anger that I've never had before. I've just attributed it to stress, but I probably should be proactive.

 

[hydster]

I've had it with all 3 of my kids (one of the reasons we stopped having them) and it truly, as the other posters have pointed out , was the worst times of my life. Like Laurabearz I too came to the all to critical "line" and had 1 foot over it. Thankfully my sister in law who was an ob/gyn nurse drug it out of me and got me the help I needed. I would alert your doctor about the thought of it being a possibility and make sure that your family keeps a very close eye on you and does something about it if they see the downward spiral start happening in your mood and behavior.

Also like the other posters feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Best of luck!
Heidi

 

[luckywife]

I had PPD with my first DS but had an idiotic doctor who basically told me to "get over it" when I told him how I felt. After several months, I started to feel better. When I got pregnant with 2nd DS, I sort of had fears of having PPD again. Talked myself out of the possibility of it because I figured it only happened the first time because DH and I were young when we married and had a baby. There is 8 years between my 2 children and let me tell you, the PPD this time was a LOT worse than I ever dreamed of it being. After over 2 months of feeling horrible, crying, panic attacks etc. DH took me to our family doctor and I was put on Paxil CR for 6 months. If you're having thoughts of PPD now, please please talk to your doctor about it now. Best wishes to you.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

After the birth of my last baby I suffered from post partum depression. When I went for my ob checkup my doctor was on vacation the and dr. covering told me I needed to nap! It's a horrible feeling that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Go to a doctor as soon as possible.