Pregnancy

Thanks to celebrity moms (Brooke Shields, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox and others) and less-famous-but-equally-brave new moms who’ve brought the topic out of the shadows of childbirth, postpartum depression is no longer a secret or a dirty word. As a matter of fact, up to 25 percent of women experience depression after giving birth and, for some women, it can be severe. Triggered by everything from lack of sleep to changes in your body and hormones, postpartum
depression is characterized by loss of appetite, mood swings, insomnia, feelings of inadequacy, loss of interest in sex, anger and difficult bonding with your new baby.

With some measure of baby blues is normal – your life has changed significantly – if you experience these symptoms for more than a few weeks or if you’re struggling to care for your baby, call your doctor. While there is no one test to diagnose postpartum depression, your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and determine if they’re related to any other medical conditions and help you get the treatment you need. Likewise, don’t be afraid to ask for help with family and friends, be open with your feelings and let go of the notion of perfection, try to make a little time for yourself, sleep when your baby is sleeping if possible and avoid making any other major life changes right now. Give us a call if you’d  like to talk further about this topic.