Life changes following the birth of a new baby are massive and effect both partners, not just the birthing mother. Round-the-clock feedings, stress, postpartum depression, anxiety, and the million other tiny changes that accompany a young baby can leave many couples feeling very isolated, both from each other and society.
Reconnecting with Your Partner after Birth
August 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Understanding the Signs of Postpartum Depression
August 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A woman’s body goes through many changes immediately after the birth of her baby. The drastic flood and release of hormones caused by labor and delivery has quite an effect on the human body. There are benefits to these changes, such as the mighty endorphins released during labor transition to ease pain, the oxytocin rush that forever bonds us to our babies, and the rush of prolocatin that kicks milk production into overdrive. However, the side effect of this major hormonal rush is that it can leave some women mentally drained and quite depressed.
Postpartum depression is more than just the blues. It goes beyond the bittersweet sadness that many new mothers experience immediately following birth. It is more than just boredom, frustration, or a period of adjustment. Serious postpartum depression, left untreated, can linger for years and in some cases a lifetime.
Women who find themselves suffering from more than just a touch of the blues, are far from alone. At least 15 to 20% of new mothers are believed to suffer from this condition. So what are the signs and furthermore what can be done to correct the condition?
Signs of Postpartum Depression
It’s vital for new mothers, their partners, and their families to understand the signs of postpartum depression. Any indication that the disorder may be present should be taken seriously. There are multiple resources for getting help including talk therapy, natural remedies, and prescription medications. All of these options, included prescription medication, can be safely administered to breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers alike.
Indicators of postpartum depression include:
- Overwhelming sadness or down feelings usually manifesting around five days after the birth of a new baby and lasting two or more weeks
- Feelings of unexplained anger and hostility, irritability
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Lack of appetite or over eating
- Thoughts of harming one’s self or baby
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities and people
Women who suffered from chronic depression before pregnancy are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. The same applies to those with a family history of the disorder.
Other risk factors for postpartum depression include:
- Diabetes (1,2, or gestational)
- Thyroid problems
- Breastfeeding or pregnancy complications
- Unexpected outcome (as in receiving an emergency cesarean after planning a natural delivery)
- Marital or financial stress
- Single parenthood
- Twins or more
- Major life events (new job, loss of a home, bankruptcy marriage, divorce, death in the family, ETC.)
Getting Help
If you find that you or someone you love is suffering from postpartum depression, get help as soon as possible. Most midwives, doctors, and doulas will screen patients for postpartum depression following birth, though not ever case is easily recognized by outsiders.
Speaking with a physician or therapist is typically a step in the right direction. For more information on getting help for postpartum depression visit Postpartum Support International.
What to Expect Post-Birth: Weight Loss and Exercise Following Delivery
July 31, 2012 By 1 Comment
Postpartum care is not just about baby, but mom too.
New babies bring joy, excitement, and a variety of life changes. During pregnancy budding parents-to-be devour books on what to expect during gestation and maybe even a little bit about newborns. It’s pretty common to get so caught up in the miracle of pregnancy that those moms-to-be forget to look into postpartum details, especially those related to their own care.
A lot of mothers are taken by surprise when weeks after birth they find themselves moody and still sporting maternity clothes. Bleeding often lasts for several weeks after birth, sometimes more than a month. Mothers who delivered by cesarean may experience discomfort at the incision site for an exceptionally long time. Back and muscle aches are far from uncommon, as the body readjusts to a non-pregnant figure.
There is no question that the process of pregnancy and birth offers a beautiful, miraculous experience in countless ways. However, along with all that beauty there is a laundry list of new responsibilities, hemorrhoids, spider veins, aches, pains, and a whole new body to contend with.
A lot of women imagine that they will give birth and magically return to their normal, everyday selves within days. Thanks to the deluge of celebrity moms flaunting postpartum lingerie shoots before most ladies have finished their maternity leave, the confusion surrounding this delicate time is not at all surprising. However, just as pregnancy and birth are a process, so is the healing time that follows.
It is important for new mothers to take care of themselves during the first few months after birth. Ideally, the first four to six weeks should be entirely focused on rest and healing. Breastfeeding mothers should nurse their baby as much as possible, as this builds supply, helps the uterus to shrink, and burns calories. Exercise is not recommended during this healing period. Though many mothers feel like they are ready to get back to their normal lives a few weeks following birth, the body is still healing for up to 10 weeks.
The hormone, relaxin, which expands and loosens the joints and muscles to allow for an easy childbirth, is still pumping during those early post-pregnancy weeks. As a result, too much stretching and moving could result in a lot of aches and pain. Even worse, it is likely counterproductive. Other hormones, related to mood and physical function, are working to regulate themselves after the massive fluctuations related to birth and pregnancy.
To ensure the best possible healing and prevent a multitude of future problems, spend the first few weeks after baby arrives resting, drinking water, and eating a balanced diet. There is generally a natural weight loss immediately following birth, as long as the mother sticks to a good diet, the weight will stay off. However, the hips, waist, and stomach may remain a bit larger than normal for several weeks. Up to 66 percent of women still have some separation of their vertical abdominal muscles at six weeks postpartum.
Failing to eat a balanced diet following birth could cause the body to go into survival mode, bringing the metabolism to a screeching halt. Drinking plenty of water and eating the right amount of calories, 2000 for women who are not breastfeeding and an around 2500 for those who do, is the best way to prevent this from happening. At around eight to ten weeks, most mothers can introduce or resume a regular exercise routine without issue.
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