728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Postpartum Issues › Dealing with Postpartum Depression?

Dealing with Postpartum Depression?

Why Getting Help Is a Good Thing for Mom and Baby

By Alexandria Powell

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

"The interactions that happen on a day-to-day basis between parent and Baby are really the foundation for positive emotional, language and cognitive development," Paulson says. "These behaviors have a huge impact on how kids develop."

"When you feel hopeless, helpless and incompetent and you are only charged with your own care – that is devastating enough," Stone says. "But to have these feelings and know that you are responsible for another, helpless life makes the guilt really unbearable, which in turn perpetuates the cycle of feeling worthless."

Overwhelmed, many depressed moms simply disengage.

On the Road to Recovery
It's important for women who may be suffering from postpartum depression to understand that most new mothers are very distracted and sleep deprived, and they still provide quality bonding time with their baby, Stone says. "Even in cases where a mom has moderate depression a baby's needs can still be met; but because there are possible risks, it's very important to break that cycle and get treatment as quickly as possible when depression is identified," she says. "In our message to women and families, we walk a fine line between urging women to get help based on consequences to Mother and Child without exacerbating feelings of guilt in the process."

And there's good news: Postpartum depression is easily treatable. Most women find relief with a combination of medication and therapy – some as early as two to eight weeks after beginning treatment.

Finding Help
If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, don't try to fight it alone, Stone says. Call your OB/GYN, your baby's pediatrician or your family doctor and ask for a referral to a mental health professional who has worked with postpartum depression for immediate assessment.

If you think your partner is suffering from postpartum depression, approach gently – but do approach. "Ask her how things are going," Stone says. "You can say 'I've noticed that you seem sad' or 'I've noticed that you seem withdrawn.'" The next step is to make the phone call to a health care provider and ask about a referral for assessment. (Of course, if you think your partner might be likely to harm herself or someone else, take her to the nearest emergency room immediately. Stone notes that cases like these are extremely rare.)


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.