Baby blues
Signs and symptoms of the baby blues — which last only a few days or weeks — may include:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Irritability
- Crying
- Decreased concentration
- Trouble sleeping
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Intense irritability and anger
- Overwhelming fatigue
- Loss of interest in sex
- Lack of joy in life
- Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Severe mood swings
- Difficulty bonding with the baby
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
Postpartum psychosis
With postpartum psychosis — a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery — the signs and symptoms are even more severe. Signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Paranoia
- Attempts to harm yourself or the baby
I was stirred to write and open up a discussion on my blog about PPD because of a Times Magazine (July 20 2009) article I read today in the dentist office. It was describing a new legislation a group is trying to pass about PPD called H.R.20:Melanie Blocker Stokes Mothers Act. I am not a Lawyer and to say I thoroughly reviewed this Act would be absurd but I did read it. In my research it seems that this bill has passed several layers of legislation but I was not sure if it has fully passed. Someone with greater legislative knowledge would have to confirm this for me. To me this seems to be a well meaning attempt by Melanie Blocker Stokes family to help others. Melanie Stokes Blocker is a mother who took her life after giving birth only a few months prior. The family feels if there had been sufficient help and screening their daughter would have been saved. I believe they are trying to get at the main underlying issue here that there isn't enough talk and discussion among mothers about PPD but to put into law another piece of legislation would be, I feel completely unnescarry. This act does seem to be leaving the door open for the government to mandate pre-screening for PPD which I think would be completely wrong. So what do you do?
I believe we need to talk. We need to make women realize that struggling with Baby Blues or any form of PPD is OK. It doesn't make us less of a mother or a women. Stop labeling one another. If you haven't walked in their shoes don't assume to know what to do just be willing to listen and help if you can. We need to embrace each other in this time of need not place labels on already struggling women. I could have used someone to talk to. Thankfully, I was given the amazing gift from God of my husband who stood by me and held me when no others would, but what about those out there who don't have anyone? They said in much of the research that I read that the numbers of teens having PPD are rising. Who is there for these young women? These women may already feel labeled and judged, why attempt to get help when more will just be put on them?
So what's going through your mind right now? Have you faced PPD to some degree or known someone who has? If you did experience PPD did you feel the effects of labels and judgments? Have you been quiet because of how others have made you feel? Do you think it would be good to speak to new moms or mom groups out their about PPD and bring an awareness to others?
Tomorrow I would like to share my testimony of God's faithfulness to heal and discuss how we as the Body of Christ hold the Light of Hope for others. Legislation will not bring an answer for those struggling with PPD only Jesus can, so as a Body lets start talking and sharing the Hope we carry with us.
4 comments:
I certainly believe that more frequent and candid discussions on this issue are necessary. By women in their church groups, community groups, and family groups. Between women and their doctors. Sooner than the 6 week check up. Home health nurses and lactation consultants should be talking about it. Friends who bring meals and help out when a baby comes home should be talking about it. The shame needs to be lifted off of it.
But I agree - legislation is NOT the answer. The last thing we need is the gov't interfering in our lives with yet another intrusive policy or law that paves the way for other laws. The answer is more community, more relationships, not more laws!
I agree, wouldn't it be nice if we could share our struggles openly and find love, support and help with those who know Christ?
Let's be women who begin to talk about it openly and help those who find themselves struggling with PPD.
Right down my alley...at least the legislative stuff...
HR 20 never became law. This bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress - last action being in 2007. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books.
Members may often reintroduce bills that did not come up for debate in the next session.
HR20 passed in the House of Representatives on October 15, 2007 - but on October 16 was stalled in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions....
Since then, no action has been taken...
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common forms of depression that needs to be treated promptly for the well-being of both mother and baby. If not treated on time, it can have dire effects on child's development. SSRIs function as mood enhancers by raising the brain’s usage of the neurotransmitter serotonin. But SSRI treatment is not recommended for those having seizure disorders or a past of mania inclusive of bipolar disorder.
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