According to scientific studies, a huge percentage of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. Research has also proved that this psychological condition is more than just baby blues, instead it is a real illness that could affect a mother’s physiological and psychological functioning.

The body of women goes through immense hormonal changes after pregnancy and child birth and this is one of the biggest reasons behind postpartum depression. Other reason behind postpartum depression in a new mother is lack of proper sleep, as the baby is always crying and hence requires non-stop attention.

There are two types of postpartum depression: basic postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Some of the symptoms are insomnia, weepiness and sadness that lasts all day, and anxiety. There can be the loss of interest in activities, changes in your appetite, mood swings, and panic attacks. There are also invasive thoughts of harming your infant or yourself.

Although there is not a surefire cure for postpartum depression, there is a lot that you can do to make the new mom feel as comfortable as possible. Support and encouragement are invaluable. Encourage her to consider support groups.

Postpartum depression (PPD) also called postnatal depression is a form of clinical depression that affects some women after they have delivered a child. The exact cause of this condition is not known however some research says that since the hormone levels change during and after pregnancy.

Postpartum depression is also known as the baby blues and one in ten new mothers suffer from this to one degree or another. In addition to the drastic changes in hormone levels, the presence of a new baby in the house is also a major factor in postpartum depression.

The message has been sent that feeling detached at birth is a good thing which, by human nature, is not a normal emotion when a baby is brought into this world. We want moms and babies to bond…but in this case it isn’t what the Intended Parents want to have happen unless it’s them doing the bonding! Add on top of this the fact that the Surrogate has become very attached to her Intended Parents.

There is reason to believe that the cause of the condition, particularly when no depressive disorders were present prior to the pregnancy, may actually be inadequate nutritional intake. Hormonal changes have been blamed for the “baby blues” for many years. But, inadequate nutrient intake will also have a negative effect on hormones.

Postpartum depression is suggested to be caused with hormonal changes in the woman’s body soon after blessed event. The fact is that fathers may also experience the postpartum depression. This form of depression may be as foudroyant so lengthy. It may last from a few hours to several days, sometimes weeks and gain momentum with lifestyle changes and a discomfort coming from it.

The problem with some descriptions can be called the maternity blues, but it is not so, that is not the same thing as postpartum depression. When the maternity blues is a mild case of the problem, the postpartum depression is suggested to be a kind of psychosis. As a rule, the postpartum depression lasts from some hours to 21 days and declines with getting adequate amounts of sleep.

Symptoms of this depression can come into being anytime in the first year, not only right after the childbirth. The symptoms of frequent occurrence are:
- tearfulness;
- hopelessness;
- irritability;
- hypochondriasis;
- sleeplessness;
- guilt;
- impairment of concentration;
- sleep and eating disturbances;
- feeling of total discomfort;
- headache;
- exhaustion;
- blank;
- anhedonia;
- being inadequate in taking care of the baby;
- sexual activity lowering. There are some risk factors for postnatal depression, those increase 2-folds the problem probability:
- artificial feeding;
- childcare stress; prenatal or depression;
- other stresses;
- instable marital relationship or unwed mother;
- unwanted pregnancy;
- baby’s health problems (gripes, for example);
- sleep time deficiency.

In point of fact, special attention should be given to women whose families have a history of mental illnesses and disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia and autism, and the above-average rates of drug addiction or alcoholism. Risk of postpartum depression developing is rather more for them.

If the postpartum depression symptoms occur, the woman should be treated with the specialist. Diet and necessary supplementation may help to improve the situation. The following things are important as to treat so to prevent the depression:
- omega-3 fatty acids,
- necessary protein dosage,
- hydration,
- vitamin supplement (especially B vitamins).

From the other side, partners, friends and elder children may lend effective help to postpartum mother being attentive and warm-hearted. Knowing that the depression is treatable with a variety of methods is important on its own account.

The symptoms that usually start within the first to twelfth postpartum months vary widely among mothers. A few of the most common are despondency and despair, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiousness, lack of confidence, loss of sex drive and passion, muscle and joint pains, unhealthy skin, hair and nails, digestive disturbances, bladder problems, heart disease, trouble breathing, and a host of troubling emotions and moods swings. A woman can be puzzled, frustrated, even embarrassed when she reveals symptoms that have plagued her for years. She may have shared her self–observations with doctors only to find that they were not worthy of an acknowledgment or comforting comment from her physician. Any attempt on her part to connect the birth of one of her children with those symptoms may have been met with skepticism or passed over. Yet, she can’t shake the feeling that something about that particular birth began her health decline.

Her observations do have validity and merit. What most mainstream medical practitioners don’t fully take into consideration is that a baby’s body is formed and made entirely of nutrients donated by the mother’s body. Her child’s brain, eyes, muscles, bones, organs, glands, nerves, skin, tissues and fluids are entirely make from the nutrients taken from its mother’s bloodstream via the placenta.

If there is a lack of vital nutrients, the mother’s body is the first one that is deprived because her developing baby is Mother Nature’s priority. All mothers need to consciously replenish their lost nutritional and energetic reserves during the postpartum period. If this isn’t done, they might end up spending the rest of their lives wondering why they “just haven’t felt the same since the baby was born.”

The energy demands of caring for a newborn can further drain and deplete the mother’s nutrient reserves, especially if she is breastfeeding and sleep–deprived. If a woman has lost a great deal of blood while birthing her baby, the need for replenishing the nutritional components of blood is even more critical. Women who undergo Cesarean section also need to restore nutrient reserves; not only have they become mothers, they have had to have major surgery in the process. Women who lose a good deal of blood during the birth process and who don’t replenish key nutrients might experience light–headedness and throbbing headaches, along with extreme fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.

A new mother is also faced with the stress of integrating the intense needs of a new baby into her lifestyle while tending to her mate and perhaps other children and returning to work. All of these responsibilities that women – and those who are cared for by them – have taken for granted for millennia demand high–quality nutrients. Our food supply presently contains only half the nutrients that food contained in the 1940s due to the nutrient depletions in our soil. This fact makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for a mother to fully replenish the nutrient reserves her body donated to make her baby’s body solely from the food she eats. Eating highly refined and processed “junk” foods further depletes vital nutrients, which deepens the need to replenish postnatal nutrients even more.

Every physiologic process in the human body depends upon nutrients. The most important time to consciously replenish postpartum nutrient reserves begins immediately after giving birth and extends to 24 months postpartum. The failure to do this often sets the stage for chronic health problems that may last for decades.

There was a time that women throughout the globe would be given their placenta in some edible form to consume directly postpartum, much like dogs and cats do instinctively. The placenta contains highly concentrated amounts of the nutrients that the mother has lost through giving birth. The fact that eating one’s placenta is now culturally distasteful further supports the need to make a concerted effort to consume the appropriate nutrients and nourishing foods necessary for rebuilding and replenishing the new mother’s donated nutrient reserves. A high potency postnatal nutrient program is now essential to help a postpartum woman replenish her nutrient reserves.

Presently, about 30 million Americans take anti–depressant and anti–anxiety drugs. The majority of these are postpartum women! Women comprise 79% of U.S. citizens on antidepressant drugs. Many doctors prescribe Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and a host of other anti–depressant drugs before considering whether the mother’s depression, anxiety, fatigue, or lethargy might be caused by postpartum nutrient depletion. All the major brain neurotransmitter chemicals (like serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and GABA) that effect mood, energy, and many other physiological process are formed entirely from nutrients! Postpartum nutritional depletion can cause a physiological depression that is far too often misdiagnosed as a mental disease. This is a medical short–sightedness that needs to change. A postnatal nutrient recovery program should be the very first thing a doctor thinks of and prescribes for postpartum women presenting these symptoms; especially with women who have no history of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, insomnia, or fatigue prior to giving birth. Continuing to take a high quality, comprehensive postnatal nutrient program can also help determine if there is truly a need for pharmaceutical antidepressant support or if replenishing nutrients are sufficient.

If one does need and benefits from the assistance of antidepressant drugs, it is still very important to note that these drugs contain no nutrients, so the need to replenish postpartum nutrient reserves still exists and should be addressed. This can also aid and prevent other postpartum health problems. The need for high potency postnatal nutrients is greater now than ever before because the pace of life keeps getting faster, more complex and stressful.

Omega–3 oils are robbed from the mother’s body at a very high rate via the placenta to help form her baby’s brain, eyes, nerves, and cellular membranes. Breast-feeding robs even more Omega 3 oils from a postpartum woman’s body because it is removed from her body to form the milk her body is producing. Many studies show the importance of Omega 3 fish oils to relieve depression, dry skin, thin hair and nails, fatigue and prevent heart disease in postpartum women. Omega 3 oils are an essential ingredient in a good postnatal nutrient program to assist a mother to replenish her nutrient reserves. It is vitally important that the Omega 3 fish oils taken be certified free of heavy metals and PCBs and also contain at least 3 different antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and rosemary oil are best) to prevent these oils from going rancid. Flax oil does not easily convert into DHA and EPA found in fish oils.

All the major nutrients are taken from mother’s body to help form baby’s body. Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q 10 are essential for the body to make energy. Without enough of these two essential nutrients, the energy producing mitochondria in our cells will often make only 2 units of ATP (cellular energy) instead of 38 units of ATP per cycle. These two deficiencies are major causes of postpartum depression, fatigue and mood swings. These two nutrients along with B vitamins, minerals including calcium and magnesium, and the Omega 3 oils are essential nutrients to help a mother replenish her postpartum nutrient reserves and should be included in a good postnatal nutrient formula. Prenatal vitamins do not adequately supply all of the nutrients that new mothers require after bringing new life into this world.

A high quality postnatal nutrient program should be an integral part of the pregnancy recovery program required for all postpartum women to fully replenish their nutrient reserves. This can assist new mothers to not only regain their health and prevent later health problems, but also to allow her the best chance of happily raising her family and having other healthy pregnancies and healthy children if desired.

Dr. Dean Raffelock is the lead author of A NATURAL GUIDE TO PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM HEALTH published by Avery in 2003. He is a holistic doctor who has been in private since 1977 and practices in Boulder, Colorado. He has earned four board certifications including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic, and applied kinesiology and continues to teach research–based clinical nutrition for numerous medical organizations. Dr. Raffelock is Vice President of Research and Development for Soundformulas.com the makers of After Baby Boost™- the first and only clinically tested comprehensive postnatal nutrient system and Before Baby Boost™ the first and only comprehensive 3 bottle prenatal nutrient system. He is also President of Sound Formulations, LLC a consulting company that formulates and manufactures premium quality nutritional products for nutriceutical companies. He may be reached at DrDeanR@Soundformulas.com

Having a baby is one of the happiest moments in the life of a mother. It can be so thrilling and exciting to have a new baby enter your lives. But it can even be very challenging at times. A woman goes through a lot of changes at physical and emotional levels during pregnancy and child birth.

Such changes can cause a woman to feel sad, afraid, confused and anxious. For many women, such feelings go away after some time. When the feelings go away on their own after some time, it is reffered as ‘baby blues’.

However if feelings persist for a long time, or even get worse, then it would be labeled as pospartum depression. Below are a few signs and symptoms of pospartum depression. A woman may feel all or some of these symptoms.

If these symptoms do not go away or fade away soon then the woman may need medical attention to overcome the problem. It is not advised to neglect this problem for long.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms:

Feelings of restlessness
Feeling sad or feel like crying
Low energy levels, getting tired easily
Feeling irritable
Unable to sleep well
Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
Don’t feel like eating
Sometimes a woman may indulge in overeating
Lack of interest in the baby, or on the other hand, become overly worried about it
Unable to focus or remember things easily
Not deriving pleasure in anything, including  sex
Being too much worried about hurting the baby

These are some of the common postpartum depression symptoms. One woman may suffer from some of these symptoms while another may suffer from other symptoms from the above list.

PPD may affect women of any age, racial background etc. The exact causes of postpartum depression may not be exactly known. It could be due to hormonal changes in the woman’s body. Or it could be due to low thyroid levels which could happen after giving birth.

If you suffer from any of the above postpartum depression symptoms, no need to get unduly worried. This condition can be treated and cured. However, it is advised not to resort to medication (unless extremely necessary) for treatment of this condition as it could affect breast milk.

Few Tips to Deal with Postpartum Depression Symptoms:

Get good amount of rest.
Try to take a nap when the baby naps.
Talk to your family members.
If needed, consult a doctor.
Avoid spending a lot of time alone.

Hyla Cass, M.D.

Postpartum depression (PPD) Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) have become a national epidemic in the United States, affecting 15%-20% of all new mothers, or about 600,000-800,000 women annually. (1) It is now estimated that over 30 million Americans are on antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications. (2) The majority of this 30 million are women who have one or more children. The chance of suffering from PPD increases with each successive child. (3)

The most common medical treatment for postpartum depression is SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressant drugs. Postpartum Anxiety Disorder is most commonly treated by the benzodiazepine family of drugs like Valium, Ativan, Xanax, and Klonopin. Combination reuptake inhibitors for both serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs) are also commonly used in postpartum depression. In the case of postpartum psychosis, antipsychotic drugs are used and are immediately necessary. Many women are now given samples of SSRIs as they are leaving the maternity ward. Most medical sources believe that PPD is caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry and that pharmaceutical intervention is the treatment of choice. While a certain percentage of women suffering from PPD do need pharmaceutical assistance, these are far fewer than are actually receiving them. Recent Meta-studies show this to be true.  While it is clear that some women with PPD do need and benefit from pharmaceutical intervention, it is our experience that an integrative approach yields the best results.

Postpartum Anxiety Disorder is mostly treated

The most common Postpartum Depression symptoms  include the following:

1. Persistent feelings of despair and/or anxiety;
2. Loss of energy and low levels of daily functioning;
3. Sleep and eating disturbances;
4. Inability to focus, concentrate or make decisions;
5. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and guilt;
6. Feelings of indifference and/or resentment towards the baby;
7. Intrusive negative thoughts and/or obsessive worries–in the most serious cases, this includes thoughts of harming oneself or the baby;
8. Reduced sex drive;
9. Loss of joy and appreciation for life;
10. Irritability or excessive anger.

The literature generally outlines several types of postpartum disorders that have special features beyond the typical symptoms of depression. These include:

1. Postpartum Anxiety Disorder (PPA). Here, the primary symptoms are excessive nervousness, hyper-vigilance, racing thoughts and in some cases outright panic. Panic attacks are especially frightening–sufferers often believe they are dying, as they experience shortness of breath, dizziness and a pounding chest.

2. Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Most often, this takes the form of obsessive thoughts or worries about the baby and may be accompanied by compulsive behaviors such as constantly checking if the baby is breathing, constantly washing to protect the baby from germs, etc. The most disturbing type of obsessive thoughts are those in which the mother envisions harming her baby in some way. These thoughts are unwanted, intrusive and terrifying to the mother. It is important to emphasize that, except in extremely rare instance of psychosis (see below), these thoughts are not accompanied by any actions. Nonetheless, the mother may be so frightened by her own thoughts that she avoids the baby and consequently neglects her. It is terribly difficult for new mothers to acknowledge having such thoughts, and as a result, many suffer in isolation.

3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD can occur in response to a real or perceived traumatic childbirth or because of unresolved past trauma–sometimes sexual in nature–triggered during childbirth. A woman who experiences PTSD is likely to have recurring, memories, dreams or even flashbacks of the traumatic labor/birth. She will be hyper-vigilant and startle easily, and will likely suffer from sleeplessness, irritability, poor concentration and apathy. Women who have experienced a particularly traumatic childbirth often show symptoms of both PTSD and PPD.

4. Postpartum Psychosis. This is the most extreme and rarest of all postpartum disorders. When it occurs, the mother loses touch with reality and her symptoms may include extreme disorientation (e.g., not knowing who she is), delusional or paranoid thinking, and visual or auditory hallucinations. The few, tragic cases where mothers have harmed their children while in a psychotic state have received enormous media attention. As a result, many people inaccurately associate PPD with psychotic symptoms and dangerous behavior. This constitutes yet another reason why women fail to get help–they want to avoid being labeled with such a stigmatized disorder.

Article Premise: Fully Replenishing a New Mother’s Postpartum Nutritional Reserves Has Been Largely Ignored and Should  be An Integral Part of Treating Postpartum Depression.

Foundations of A Nutritional Approach to PPD
The human body is entirely formed from nutrients. Every muscle, organ, gland, bone, cell, and fluid is composed entirely of nutrients (environmental toxins notwithstanding). All of the neurotransmitters, hormones, biochemical structures, and metabolic pathways are formed from nutrients.

No other normal physiological process uses up and drains more vital nutrients from a postnatal woman’s body than the process of being pregnant, giving birth, and caring for a new infant which may include breastfeeding. The fact that a mother’s body donates all the nutrients required to form her baby’s body is too often overlooked when it comes to the medical treatment of PPD. Not only does the placenta literally rob the mother’s body of all the key nutrients required to make a baby’s body, but the placenta itself is formed from nutrients taken from the mother’s body. This is the main reason that many postpartum women become nutritional drained and this nutrient depletion syndrome can lead to postpartum depression and anxiety disorder.

Other factors that may contribute to a drain of a new mother’s nutrient reserves are loss of blood during the birth process, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, returning to work too soon, and the immense extra energy required to take care of a new infant with intense needs. If a pregnant woman’s or new mother’s nutrient reserves are too low, she is much more vulnerable to experiencing PPD and PPA because all of the body’s normal metabolic processes are entirely dependent upon nutrients. The preponderance of extremely poor quality pharmaceutical prenatal vitamins significantly adds to the tendency of nutrient depletion.

Rarely is there is any mention that the body’s production of neurotransmitters is completely dependent upon their nutritional precursors. (4) Nor are the causes of these nutritional precursor deficiencies discussed. Additionally, the interdependent relationship between hormones and neurotransmitters is rarely taken into consideration by most physicians when considering treatment for PPD and PPA. The nutritional requirements of mitochondrial function, the importance of liver function from Western and Eastern perspectives, and some individual nutrients like Omega 3 fish oils, pharmaGABA, L-theanine, SAMe, inositol, magnesium, and the herb St. John’s Wort can also be of great assistance in treating PPD and PPA. These will be briefly discussed.

An integrative approach to treating PPD may include nutritional therapies, bio-identical hormone replacement, moderate exercise, a nutrient dense diet, proper rest, psychological counseling/support, stress reduction techniques, elimination of caffeine, alcohol and other addictive drugs, and if needed, pharmaceutical intervention.

Neurotransmitter Nutritional Precursors

Serotonin and Tryptophan

The amino acid L-Tryptophan is required for the body to produce serotonin. Ninety-five percent of the serotonin in the human body is produced in the intestinal tract. Approximately five percent is produced in the brain. The serotonin produced in the intestinal tract is unavailable to the brain because serotonin cannot pass through the blood- brain barrier. L-Tryptophan also does not easily pass through the blood-brain barrier and requires a carrier protein to ferry it into the brain. The consumption of simple sugars changes brain neuron cell membrane amino acid selectivity, allowing tryptophan to enter the brain more easily. Hence, the craving of sweets is often a sign of serotonin deficiency.

Serotonin has been referred to as the brain’s mood elevating and tranquilizing chemical. Inadequate serotonin levels are linked with depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and weight gain. Serotonin mediated depression usually contains an element of anxiety. Serotonin is considered an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Its functions include:

- Inhibiting Glutamate excitability over diverse regions of the CNS
-Stimulating its own receptors on GABA neurons prompting GABA to perform its inhibitory function
- Inhibiting the release of the Catecholamines: Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine.

A comparison of the effects of optimal serotonin levels to low serotonin levels to reveals the following contrasts:

1) Hopeful/optimistic—————-Depressed
2) Calm—————————Anxious
3) Good-natured——————–Irritable
4) Patient————————–Impatient
5) Reflective/ thoughtful————–Impulsive/Reactive
6) Loving /Caring——————–Abusive
7) Able to concentrate—————-Short attention span
Creative/focused——————Blocked/scattered
9) Moderate carbohydrate intake——–Excessive carbohydrate intake
10) Good sleep and dream recall——–Insomnia and poor dream recall

Tryptophan is converted to its metabolite, 5- Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP) which is then converted to serotonin. Niacin, iron, and folic acid are required for L-Tryptophan to be converted into 5-HTP. The body also requires pyridoxal-5-phosphate along with 5-HTP in order to produce serotonin. Magnesium and riboflavin (B2) are required for the conversion of pyridoxine (B6) into pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Deficiencies in any of these nutrients can limit the production of serotonin. Numerous double-blind studies have shown 5-HTP to be as effective as antidepressant drugs with fewer and milder side effects and most times better tolerated. (5-11)

From Martin Hintz, M.D. –Neuro Research

 A number of significant factors contribute to low L-Tryptophan levels in many people, especially postpartum women whose bodies are providing the proteins needed to form another human body, these include excessive levels of cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The ratio of L-tryptophan to other amino acids available in most foods is quite low.

An overabundance of the adrenal gland hormone cortisol (a very common occurrence in stressful psychological and physiologic states) adversely affects serotonin production and sensitivity in four different ways:

1. Excess cortisol significantly decreases the number of serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor sites. (12)
2. Excess cortisol suppresses serotonin receptors. (13, 14)
3. Excess cortisol increases serotonin reuptake. (15)
4. Excess cortisol, causes tryptophan oxygenase (TO) to metabolize tryptophan into kynurenine, leaving less tryptophan to become serotonin. (15,16)

If cortisol levels are too low in the amygdala, serotonin no longer has an Inhibitory effect on Glutamatergic activity, suggesting that cortisol plays a key role in maintaining Serotonergic-mediated modulation. (16,17) This may be another factor involving insomnia in PPD.

Added to the reasons that serotonin deficiencies are growing more common and contributing to PPD is a stress-related overabundance of the catecholamines. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine also deplete serotonin because the inhibitory monoamine neurotransmitter serotonin is supposed to balance these three excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters. The more stress a person experiences, the more the body increases the production of the catecholamines in an attempt to respond to this stress. This requires a postpartum body to produce even more serotonin – though deficiencies in nutrient precursors may interfere with its production.

The use of 5-HTP as a nutritional precursor to serotonin has significant advantages over tryptophan. 5-HTP easily passes directly through the blood-brain barrier without the need for a carrier protein, allowing for an easier conversion into serotonin in the brain. Sublingual forms of 5-HTP work more quickly. Dosage varies from 25 mg per day to 300 mg per day or more.

A deficiency of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is required for serotonin synthesis, is often found in premenopausal female patients with depression. (18) Replacing B6 in cases of deficiency is an important aspect of PPD treatment that may enhance serotonin production in the brain. (19) The use of the vitamin B6 metabolite, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, instead of B6 is suggested especially when magnesium and/or riboflavin deficiencies are suspected or confirmed. There is some controversy whether it is best to supplement 5-HTP and pyridoxal-5-phosphate together or take them separately, adhering to a two-hour wait period. Our clinical experience indicates that it fine to supplement them together. Many products including a combination of 5-HTP and P-5-P are available.

Some controversy exists regarding the simultaneous use of SSRIs and serotonin nutritional precursors. The pharmaceutical companies seem adamant about avoiding this and often mention the possibility of Serotonin Syndrome, a dangerous condition generally brought about by combining serotonin enhancing medications, especially MAO inhibitors, with medications, herbs, or nutritional precursors that also enhance serotonin activity. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include nausea, headache, agitation, diaphoresis, hypertension, tachycardia, and hyperthermia that can go over 104 F. This appears a remote possibility at best when just using 5-HTP or using 5-HTP in combination with one SSRI medication. (20)

SSRIs appear to not only keep serotonin in the neuron synapses longer by inhibiting reuptake, but also by pulling the nutritional precursors for serotonin from the storage vesicles and reuptake ports. In fact, in our clinical experience, many women with PPD do better when taking 5-HTP and P-5-P along with their SSRIs than taking SSRIs alone. Serotonin precursor deficiencies may be the reason that SSRIs don’t work for some, work and then stop working for others, and why it is not unusual for a woman with PPD to have been prescribed two or more different SSRIs over time. The SSRIs do not give a net increase of serotonin so they need enough available serotonin in order to have enough to re-uptake.

Dr. Dean Raffelock- catacholamine chart

The catecholamines are predominantly energizing and mood elevating when produced at appropriate levels. Synthesis of the catecholamines occurs in the CNS, adrenal medulla, and peripheral sympathetic neurons. Norepinephrine and dopamine act primarily as neurotransmitters in the CNS. Epinephrine acts primarily as an adrenal hormone to mobilize energy.

The catecholamines influence most organ systems. When levels are excessive they are catabolic and can lead to the body metabolizing its own nerve, muscle and bone tissue. Low levels can lead to depression, fatigue, and weight gain.

Dopamine: Dopamine is the catecholamine precursor for norepinephrine and is found both in the CNS and adrenal medulla. Its functions include motor function and posture, cognitive function (attention, focus, working memory and problem solving), and pleasure sensations. Dopamine can act either as an inhibitory or excitatory neurotransmitter in response to incoming afferent signals.

Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): CNS norepinephrine mediates mood regulation, drive, ambition, learning and memory, alertness, arousal and focus. Clinically, there is often an inverse relationship between norepinephrine (excitatory) and serotonin (inhibitory). When serotonin is low, norephinephrine may be over-upregulated, resulting in “fight or flight” responses leading to anxiety and/or panic attacks. Over-expression of CNS norepinephrine is clinically associated with anxiety, aggression, irritability, mania or bipolar disease, immune suppression, and hypertension; low norepinephrine is associated with atypical depression, with symptoms of fatigue, hypersomnia, hyperphagia, lethargy and apathy.
(21,22)

Epinephrine (adrenaline): Epinephrine synthesis is dependent upon norepinephrine being converted into epinephrine by methylation.
Hans Selye (1974) described the three phase s of the “General Adaptation Syndrome” to stress (23):

Phase I: Alarm reaction: high epinephrine/high cortisol

Phase II: Resistance: high cortisol/low DHEA, variable epinephrine

Phase III: Exhaustion: depletion of cortisol, epinephrine and DHEA
Adrenal exhaustion is a major factor in depression related to chronic or severe stress.

A woman suffering from PPD should be closely questioned about her symptoms; SSRIs are routinely given to women who have functional hypoadrenia involving the adrenal cortex and/or medulla, or low thyroid function (discussed below). Low glucocorticoid and/or catecholamine levels can cause the symptoms of fatigue, malaise, and depression. (24,25)

Many women with PPD require pharmaceuticals and/or nutriceuticals that address deficiencies in both serotonin and the catecholamines. Nutritional therapies for catecholamine balance include:

§ DL-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine, the amino acid precursors for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. DL-phenylalanine also helps to increase endorphins, which are mood-elevating. Many PP women diagnosed with bipolar disorder will respond well to high dose DL-phenylalanine therapy (26), along with serotonin precursors and high-dose (6 grams per day) omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oils. (27)

§ L-cysteine, sulfur, iron, and folate, required for conversion of L-tyrosine into L-dopa.

§ Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, required for the conversion of L-dopa into dopamine. Copper and vitamin C are required to convert dopamine into norepinephrine. Pridoxal-5-phosphate, B12, and folic acid are required to convert norepinephrine into epinephrine.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)

GABA is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Low levels of GABA are particularly important to look for when anxiety and insomnia are included in the symptom display of PPD/PPA. GABA is essential for balancing excitatory neurotransmitters and hormones such as cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glutamate. Too much excitation without adequate GABA inhibition can lead to: (28)

- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Panic Attacks
- Seizures

GABA’s job clinically is to induce relaxation, calmness and aid sleep. Where there are glutamate receptors (powerful excitatory neurons), there will be GABA receptors nearby. GABA allows only the most important excitatory signals to pass by and dampens or quenches extraneous excitatory signals when GABA levels are adequate.

Benzodiazapines (Valium, Klonopin, Zanax, Ativan, etc.) and sleep pharmaceuticals like Ambien and Sonata work on GABA receptors, as does moderate alcohol consumption. L-theanine, lactium (milk peptides), L- glutamine, taurine, and bio-identical progesterone can act as nutraceutical/hormonal GABA agonists. The drug Gabatril is a GABA re-uptake inhibitor as is Valerian extract. A newer nutriceutical product called pharmaGABA seems to yield more effective results than synthetic GABA.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, serotonin and GABA would be Yin (relaxing, harmonizing, cooling, nurturing, moisturizing, inhibitory) and the catecholamines would be Yang (energizing, mobilizing, warming, excitatory, drying). From both Eastern and Western perspectives, it is important to balance these opposing groups of brain chemicals to obtain balance. A woman with PPD who now has more energy but can’t sleep is just as unhappy as a woman who now can sleep but who is even more lethargic than before treatment.

Balancing neurotransmitters is key. Balancing neurotransmitters and hormones is clinically even more effective.

Hormone-Neurotransmitter Interactions

The relationship between neurotransmitters and hormones in PPD is often overlooked. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are required in order to mediate hypothalamic production of releasing hormones, enabling the pituitary gland to properly conduct the hormonal orchestra. The hypothalamus is considered a key part of the mid-brain, the “emotional brain,” so there is little wonder why imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones can adversely affect emotional states.

Thyroid hormones. The catecholamines and thyroid hormones are closely related in many of their functions. L-tyrosine, along with iodine, is the precursor for thyroglobulin and thyroid hormones T-3 and T-4. A depression with no anxiety, with the predominant symptoms of exhaustion and difficulty stringing multiple positive thoughts together, is most often associated with low adrenal (29) and/or thyroid function (30-32) and generally doesn’t respond well to SSRIs or serotonin nutritional precursor therapy.

It is well known that low thyroid function can cause physiologic depression and fatigue. Giving T3 induces a rise in serotonin, and in animals with hypothyroidism, serotonin synthesis is reduced. (33) T3 appears to desensitize presynaptic Serotonin autoreceptors. (34) Conversely, the diurnal peak of TSH, observed during the physiological circadian rhythm, is serotoninergic dependent. (35)

Thyroid function and serotonin function are interdependent both clinically and bio-chemically. Optimal thyroid function is dependent on optimal serotonin levels. Optimal serotonin balance is dependent on optimal thyroid function. TSH increase is dependent on adequate serotonin stimulation of hypothalamic TRH, allowing TSH to rise. (36) Suppressed TSH currently may more appropriately represent low serotonin states than any real assessment of true thyroid function. The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) augments and accelerates the effects of antidepressant drugs. Fluoxetine + T3 are better at desensitizing 5-HT hypothalamic autoreceptors than either alone. (37-39)

Estrogen: A growing body of evidence points to estrogen’s importance in serotonergic function. (40) Estrogen inhibits serotonin reuptake. (41,42) Estrogen treatment is shown to selectively enhance serotonin (5-HT1A-mediated) responses in the hippocampus (43,44) Estrogen increased the firing activity of 5-HT (serotonin) neurons in both male and female rats. (45,46) In short, estrogen appears to be nature’s SSRI.

Presently, there is a great deal of controversy regarding estrogen HRT. The HERS study and WHI studies have stirred the controversy without making the important distinction between bio-identical and pharmaceutically altered estrogens; neither is any distinction made between progesterone and progestins. The clinician is encouraged to become very well versed in this area regarding risks versus benefits of HRT. Many women with PPD can benefit from low-dose bio-identical estrogen HRT if indicated and potential benefits outweigh risks.

Progesterone: Bio-identical progesterone has a known anti-depressant/anti-anxiety effect. Throughout pregnancy, the placenta produces copious amounts of progesterone, increasing blood levels to many times pre-pregnancy levels. Post-partum, this supply is suddenly gone, along with its soothing effects on the mother’s nervous system.
Allopregnanolone is synthesized by the reduction of progesterone via the enzymes 5-reductase and 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-HSD). Allopregnanolone is one of the most potent known modulators of GABA receptors. (47,48) Allopregnanolone has behavioral and biochemical characteristics similar to ethanol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. (49,50)

Bio-identical progesterone can be very helpful for women with PPD with anxiety and insomnia. Using the  PharmaGABA and bio-identical progesterone simultaneously is often very helpful to relieve anxiety and sleep issues.

DHEA: DHEA increases the firing activity of serotonin neurons. (51) DHEA also increases dopamine and norepinephrine synthesis via mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase. (52) Because of this, DHEA can be helpful in some forms of PPD. DHEA also inhibits GABA and is therefore a GABA antagonist. (53) Clinically, if the use of DHEA causes insomnia and irritability, most likely the patient is GABA deficient and this should be addressed before continuing to supplement DHEA.

Testosterone: increases serotonergic neuron firing in the raphe area, increasing mood. (54)

Mitochondrial Function

from Metametrix Lab- Ion Panel Booklet

Inefficient mitochondrial function can limit ATP production, lower energy and contribute to or cause physiological depression. More than 90% of all cellular oxygen consumption is used to fuel mitochondrial metabolism. Mitochondria must transfer huge numbers of electrons to produce energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction can affect all organ systems, including neurons and glands.

Dietary fats, carbohydrates , and proteins all need to be converted into acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl CoA) before entering the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. The nutritional precursors required for fatty acids, glycerol, and cholesterol to enter the Krebs cycle and generate ATP are riboflavin (B2), L-carnitine, niacin, and biotin. Thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), biotin, and alpha-lipoic acid are required for carbohydrates and proteins to enter the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria.

Within the Krebs cycle, cysteine and iron are needed to convert cis-aconitate to isocitrate. Niacin, magnesium, and manganese are required to convert isocitrate into alpha-ketoglutarate. The amino acids glutamine, histidine, arginine, proline and glycine are needed to form alpha-ketoglutarate. Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and alpha lipoic acid, are needed to convert alpha-ketoglutarate into succinyl-CoA. The amino acids isoleucine, valine, and methionine are needed to form succinyl-CoA. Magnesium is required to convert succinyl-CoA into succinate. Riboflavin is required to convert succinate into fumarate. The amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine are needed to form fumarate. Niacin is required to convert malate into oxaloacetate.

All these nutrients are required to produce 36 units of ATP per molecule of acetyl CoA in the Krebs cycle. A significant deficiency of any of these key nutrients can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and contribute to fatigue and depression.

Niacin and coenzyme Q10 are required for oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain, or ETC). Normally, the ETC produces another 3 units of ATP in the mitochondria in addition to the Krebs cycle’s 36. A significant deficiency in either of these can also reduce ATP production and contribute to a physiologic depression.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is often overlooked in the treatment of PPD. A study done with postpartum women showed that a comprehensive postnatal nutrient program, including many of the Krebs cycle/oxidative phosphorylation nutrients, relieved many postpartum symptoms including mild to moderate PPD.

Liver Detoxification

NUTRITION: A FUNCTIONAL APPROACH-Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D

For many centuries, Chinese medicine has correlated liver meridian dysfunction with anger, irritability, and depression. From this perspective, suppressed anger often leads to depression. Concepts such as rising liver heat and stagnant liver Qi are used to depict how faulty liver meridian function could dramatically affect emotional states. When the flow of electrons within a meridian is up or down-regulated, the organ dependant upon that meridian will become dis-eased. Many practitioners of Chinese medicine are taught to consider the liver the “seat of the emotional body” because of this strong correlation of liver dysfunction with negative emotions.

In the Orient the term “hot liver” is used to depict someone who has anger issues. The English use the “liverish” to describe one who is irritable. From a Western medicine point of view, most clinicians are aware how an alcoholic’s liver cirrhosis can first cause irritability and eventually depression.

In the past two decades much more information has come to light regarding phase one and phase two liver detoxification pathways. These pathways greatly contribute to the body’s ability to excrete exogenous and endogenous toxic chemicals. Environmental toxin levels (xenobiotics) are ever on the rise and require that the liver play a very important role in their excretion.

Added to this burden of detoxification are the internal production of increased stress hormones and other body chemicals that require excretion. All of these chemicals require that the liver have adequate nutrients to facilitate their excretion.

Phase one liver detoxification consists of oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis. The cytochrome P450 system mixed function oxidases perform the most important beginning function of detoxifying these exogenous and endogenous toxins. Phase I liver detoxification requires an adequate supply of nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants. This list includes riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, cobalamin, glutathione, phospholipids, carotenes, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, flavonoids, vitamin E, selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, CoQ10, and nutrients contained in thiols, pycnogenol, and silymarin.

Phase II liver detoxification consists of conjugation pathways in the hepatocytes. Amino acid conjugation (binding) of toxins requires glycine, taurine, glutamine, ornithine, and arginine. Sulfation requires sulfur-bearing amino acids or elemental sulfur. Sulfation is required to break down and package estrogens, DHEA, thyroxine, cortisol, catecholamines, melatonin, ethyl alcohol, bile acids, tyramine, cholecystekinin, cerebrosides and others. Glucuronidation requires magnesium and B6 to break down estrogens, other steroids, melatonin, and many xenobiotics.

Methylation requires B12, B6, and folic acid to break down and eliminate catecholamines, histamine, and many drugs and xenobiotics. Glutathione conjugation helps to detoxify heavy metals and numerous xenobiotics. Glutathione requires glutamate, glycine, and cysteine or N-acetyl-cysteine plus selenium and vitamin C for its formation. Acetylation, another detoxification pathway, requires B2, B5, molybdenum, and vitamin C in order to do its function.Sulfoxidation transforms toxic sulfite molecules into usable sulfates.

Mothers in the U.S have a high toxic burden that is evidenced by the levels of toxins in mother’s milk. (55) If the liver is too burdened and unable to perform its many tasks of detoxification, this may contribute to PPD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiencies and PPD

A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids has been linked with depression. (56-59) Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of fish oil supplementation in depression. (60,61)

The human brain is 60% fat. The quality of fats that compose neurons significantly influence brain function including moods. A relative deficiency of flexible omega-3 fatty acids compared to the more rigid omega-6, saturated, and cis-trans fatty acids impairs the function of cell membranes and their ability to selectively allow passage of molecules in and out of neurons. The brain is composed of and uses more fatty acids than any other body structure. DHA – referred to by Allport as the “queen of fats” (62) – is responsible for the fastest cellular movements. As the primary structural and cognitive fat of the brain, DHA also affects moods.

A developing fetus’ brain, nerves, eyes, skin, and cellular membranes all require omega-3 oils, especially DHA. The placenta selectively removes omega-3 oils from the mother’s blood stream via the placenta often leaving the mother significantly deficient in these essential oils. (63,64). The recommended dose for omega-3 fish oils when treating PPD is 6-12 grams per day.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort):

Over twenty-five double-blind studies have shown the herb St. John’s Wort to produce as good or better results compared to SSRI drugs with significantly fewer side effects. (65-71) In Germany, where hypericum is a prescription drug and covered by insurance, over 20,000,000 take this herb for depression. One of the benefits of taking St. John’s Wort is an increase of serotonin. (72)

SAMe (S-adenosylmethione):

SAMe is a methyl donor in the production of monamines, neurotransmitters, and phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine. SAMe serves as a precursor for glutathione, coenzyme A, cysteine, taurine, and other essential compounds. SAMe is involved in converting methionine into sulfur and is important in homocysteine metabolism.

When compared with other antidepressants, SAMe tend to work faster and more effectively with virtually no negative side effects. In fact, SAMe has beneficial side effects including improved cognition, slowing of the aging process, improved joint function and less pain, and liver protection. (73)

Normally the brain synthesizes adequate SAMe from the amino acid methionine. Supplementing SAMe in depressed patients increases serotonin and dopamine levels, improves membrane fluidity, and improves the binding of neurotransmitters to receptor sites (74,75). Numerous double-blind studies demonstrate the efficacy of SAMe for depression. (76-78) The suggested dose of SAMe to treat depression ranges from 400-1600 mg a day.

Inositol

Depressed patients have lower brain levels of inositol. (79) Inositol is useful in maintaining healthy serotonin metabolism, and by doing so helps treat many conditions like depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder (80-82), and obsessive compulsive disorder (83).
Research shows that taking 6-12 grams of inositol per day for 4 weeks significantly improves mood and reduces the severity of depression. (84-86) Inositol can be safely used with antidepressant medications. (87)

L-Theanine

L-theanine is known to increase levels of GABA and has an anti-anxiety effect as well as improving cognitive function. (88) L-theanine may also normalize dopamine levels which are often depleted by various stresses. (89) L-theanine significantly reverses glutamate-induced toxicity. (90)

Integrating High Quality, High Potency Prenatal and Postnatal Nutrient Systems into Preventing and Treating Postpartum Depression and Anxiety 

Clinically it is imperative that higher quality, higher potency, more comprehensive prenatal an postnatal nutrient systems be utilized in the treatment and prevention of postpartum depression. It is common knowledge in many 3rd world countries that the postpartum recovery period is 24 months because this is the amount of time women are told to wait between pregnancies to replenish their bodies and avoid many postnatal health problems. These women have more community and extended family support too which significantly reduces the incidence of PPD.

Most prenatal vitamin supplements are inadequate to fully supply developing baby and mother with the potency and quality of nutrients required to fuel pregnancy and the postpartum periods. These are highly nutrient dependent process.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial done on a comprehensive postnatal nutrient program called After Baby Boost showed excellent results, improving 14 common postpartum symptoms including postpartum depression, anxiety, insomnia and mood swings. Parameters measured were breast tenderness, concentration, cramping, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, irritability, joint inflammation and pain, mood swings, nervousness, palpitations, sweating, temperature changes (hot or cold), vaginal dryness, and water retention.

After Baby Boost contains high-potency vitamins and minerals including CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, 2 grams of fish oils with 3 antioxidants to prevent rancidity, and nighttime minerals (calcium and magnesium citrate). The placebo used was a leading prenatal vitamin.

After Baby Boost significantly outperformed the prenatal vitamin in all 14 symptom categories, indicating that most postpartum women require more comprehensive, higher potency nutrient replenishment than prenatal vitamins provide. (91)

Obstetricians rarely stress the importance of a high-quality, nutrient dense diet. Nor do they prescribe high quality prenatal vitamins.  Women are often told, “you are eating for two now, so eat whatever you want.” In actuality, only 300 extra calories are needed per day during pregnancy. It is important that these be nutrient-dense calories. Unrestricted eating of carbohydrates contributes to obesity and can contribute to metabolic diseases including physiologic depression and even, diabetes of pregnancy.

Integrative PPD Treatment

It is hoped that the reader becomes more aware of this simple concept: A baby’s body is entirely composed of the nutrients donated by its mother’s body. Because all physiologic processes and chemicals (neurotransmitters, hormones, metabolic pathways, etc.) are nutrient dependent, nutritional deficiencies can often be the fundamental cause of PPD. While antidepressant drugs are necessary for some, the longer-term solution often requires a well-thought-out integrative approach that includes (1) replenishing nutritional reserves through dietary supplements,(2) psychotherapy and/or  childbirth/PTSD therapies such as EMDR, (3)adequate sleep (often very difficult with a new infant), (4) moderate exercise, (5) deep belly breathing/meditation, (6) community support, (6) a nutrient dense diet, and (7) drug therapy when necessary

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91. Blum J et al., “A randomized double-blind clinical trial investigating fourteen postpartum symptoms comparing After Baby Boost comprehensive postnatal nutritional system vs. a leading prenatal vitamin as placebo.” 

PPD and PPA (Postpartum Anxiety) are experienced by many women after child birth and yet it’s been little more than a decade that we have been talking about the problem.  We give a lot of credit to Marie   Osmond, who 12 years ago went on the Oprah show and talked about her experience with PPD and shed some light on the issue.  Up until that point, PPD and PPA did not have a face.  It was not something discussed in polite company.  The myth of “happy motherhood and perfect baby” was the picture most of us carried around.  And that picture made it even more difficult for mothers to come forward and get the help that they needed.

When asking the question of PPD as a symptom or disease, several things come to mind:

1.  Exhaustion or Depression: No other normal physiologic body process is as demanding as pregnancy and birth.  Many women go home with a new baby and have other small children and a husband to care for as well.  New babies have intense needs day and night. They require nursing and feeding , lots of body contact and soothing. That means that mother probably won’t be sleeping through the night. Sleep deprivation contributes to negative mental states.   Caring for a family and an infant can render mother exhausted.  If a new mother has had a C-section, she is also recovering from surgery. Treatment for exhaustion is as important as treatment for depression, and it should be noted that exhaustion can mimic many of the symptoms of depression.

2. Nutritional Depletion: A baby’s body is made up entirely of nutrients that are donated by its mother’s body.  The placenta is also made from nutrients donated by mother’s body. The placenta pulls nutrients from a mother’s bloodstream and gives it to the developing fetus.  Nature has it wired that if one is going to do without; it will be the mother for the sake of new life. Some women lose a great deal of blood during childbirth and since blood is made from nutrients, this further depletes a mother’s nutritional reserves.

The research is clear that certain nutritional deficiencies, for example the DHA and EPA  (as from fish oils) can cause depression and moods swings. So can a lack of certain B vitamins.  All postpartum women can benefit from taking a good multiple vitamin and mineral, fish oils and supplementing calcium and magnesium.  Many health care professionals now recommend that mothers stay on their prenatal vitamins for several months after the baby is born.

3.  Community: In the past when extended families lived together or close by, a new mother would be able to have her needs met while she rested for a number of weeks to regain her strength. Women relatives and close neighbors would prepare her families’ meals and they would also help soothe her tender emotions while her body recovered. These days many women no longer have that kind of support. In the 1950s a woman who had just given birth stayed in the maternity ward for an average of 2 weeks, resting and bonding with her newborn. Now she is out of the hospital in 48 hours.

Today there are thousands of web sites started by women who have suffered and survived post partum depression wanting to help other new mothers.  These are communities where women share their fears and stories and share what methods and treatments worked for them.  Mothers who experience PPD and PPA need to know that they are not alone.  These sites provide valuable support, community and information to both mother and her family.

4.  Health overview: In contemplating the question of PPD as symptom or disease, a health overview is crucial.   Hormone testing, adrenal stress index testing, thyroid testing provide information to the health care practitioner which can help decide the best course of treatment for a mother suffering from PPD or PPA.

5.  Drug intervention: Though, we tend to be oriented toward natural remedies, we have always said that there is a time and a place for drugs.  Mothers who are suffering from PPD and PPA may find it difficult to get the immediate relief necessary from natural therapies and will benefit greatly from medication which can get them over the toughest part of PPD and PPA.  Women who suffer from postpartum psychosis often need to be medicated for life. No mother should have to suffer.   If one is doing drug therapy for PPD and PPA , it is hopefully done as part of a holistic plan of diet, exercise, talk therapy and vitamin supplementation.

6.  Meditation: Most new mothers will laugh at the idea that they would have even two minutes to sit and meditate!  They would be right.  That being said, we suggest a “portable meditation” in the form of deep belly breathing.  If you are pushing a stroller, making dinner, sitting down to nurse, or shopping in the grocery store, you can do this.  It is especially helpful when you start to feel anxious.  Take a very deep breath in through the nose…as much air as you can take in…and then let it slowly out through the mouth.  Ten of these deep, slow breaths will lower your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and reduce stress chemicals.  Every new mother should have this technique in her tool box.

7. Exercise: The research is clear that for those who are able, mild to moderate exercise is a mood elevator. Walking with a stroller, yoga, and other beneficial forms of exercise can be very helpful.

So back to the question is PPD a symptom or a disease?  Like we said, this question worthy of contemplation, but it has no simple answer.  In some ways PPD is a symptom of exhaustion and lack of physical and emotional support; in other ways PPD is a disease of depleted brain chemistry.  In some ways PPD is a disease of the culture which still does not understand the PPD process and needs to become more aware of how women are treated in the postpartum phase of motherhood.

In a perfect world, we would wave a magic wand and all new mothers would stay in a birthing center for a few weeks after childbirth; where there were health care professionals to help them learn the coping skills needed to deal with the challenges and demands of mother hood; where mother could truly rest and recuperate; where nutrition dense meals were served ; where dietary supplements were part of the program; fresh air, sunshine and other mothers to talk with.  In a perfect world just this kind of rest and replenishment could lower the incidence and the severity of PPD and PPA.  In a perfect world.  Until then, we need to keep shedding light on PPD and PPA and study methods of care that can best benefit the mother and the family

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this Web site, you can contact us.

Dr. Dean and Stephanie Raffelock

http://www.soundformulas.com

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/ap_o…

What do you think our mental/prenatal health systems could do to protect babies of mothers with mental health issues? If you search “mom kills baby” a hundred diffrent stories come up…. how many babies have to die these gruesome, horrible deaths before some laws are in place to protect them?

I think that babies shouldn’t be sent home with “sick” mothers… the mothers have to stay in a supervised atmosphere or an institution in order to be with her baby/babies. that way she’s under supervision, her baby is protected, and mom gets the help/medication she needs until she shows PROOF that she’s well.

What do you think?

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• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
Newly updated, Beyond the blues contains the current information about risk factors, diagnosis, teatment, and prevention of mood disorders in pregnancy and postpartu. Straightforward yet compassionate, it is required reading for all who work with pregnant and postpartum women, as well as for those suffering before or after the baby is born. This book is being used by the US Navy, Spectrum Health in Michigan, Durham Regional Health Department of Canada, New York … More >>

Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding And Treating Prenatal And Postpartum Depression

Mothers have experienced postpartum depression for as long as man has been on this earth. They say that no one knows exactly what causes the depression, but some people think it may be tied in to a woman’s hormone levels. What we do know is that postpartum depression sometimes creeps up on you when you have a demanding baby.

Effective Strategies To Fight Postpartum Depression

It is hard for a new mother to admit it when she is finding motherhood difficult. She might have had her own thoughts, positive thoughts, as to how it was going to be, but her thoughts and reality may not line up. When this happens, talk with other mothers and join a support group.

Do not just store it up inside, talk about it and you may be surprised to find there are solutions to your difficulties because others have been faced with the same difficulties as yours

Get yourself out of the house – if only onto the deck or front steps – for at least a few minutes each day. Set up a lawn chair, wrap up yourself and your baby in a blanket and take a break. Set aside this time for you and baby.

Take it easy. Play with your baby. Visit with friends and family. Listen to relaxing music. Watch some old “feel good” DVD’s. Get someone to take you and baby for a long ride in the car. Baby will probably fall right off to sleep and you’ll get a chance to shut your eyes and relax for a few moments too.

Natural Herbs and Supplements for Postpartum Depression

Aurum metallicum can be used by women who feel that their postpartum depression is dark and they feel helpless. Women that should look into this herbal supplement would be those that are starting to believe that baby would be better off without them, that the world would be better off without them.

Another remedy for postpartum depression that is used by women when they feel that their depression is for emotional as well as hormonal reasons is cimicifuga. Ignatia is another that is used by many mothers when they are starting to feel upset, tense or grief-stricken after giving birth.

They say about 10% of new mothers develop postpartum depression, and this does effect the baby. Because the baby will be attuned to the mothers feelings. But the good news is that this can be avoided by a daily supplementation with Omega 3 fish oils.

You can obtain the essential fatty acids from eating several meals of fish per week. However because of the contamination in the oceans, we can no longer afford to eat so much fish. Now, our best bet is to take a regular Omega 3 supplement on a daily basis. Just remember that the more Omega 3 fats she consumes, she will be less likely to suffer from postpartum depression.

Most people will tell you that having a baby is a joyous time. That there are few things in life that can compare to the elation that comes with having baby and becoming a mom… why then do you feel so down and depressed. The fact is that postpartum depression is more common than many want to admit. What’s more is that it is completely treatable, and you can treat it naturally so that you can enjoy being a mom to your new baby.

In order to fix a problem you must first admit that you have a problem. Unfortunately, postpartum depression (aka PPD) is not only not talked about; many mothers deny the fact that they have it. Look, you are not a bad mother because you feel the way you do. If you had baby almost a month ago and you are still feeling sad, blue and tired… you need to acknowledge the fact that you could have postpartum depression. That way you can do something about it, and despite what the professionals say you can do it on your own, and you can do it naturally.

There are number of natural treatments that you can do to help you get through your postpartum depression, once you admit that you have it. One treatment option is to talk to someone, this can be a therapists, it can be your best friend… or another mother. Often joining a new mom support group is helpful because then you know you are not alone. You need to know that you aren’t alone, as a matter a of fact some research shows that PPD affects 70% of new moms.

You can also try to include natural herbs in your daily diet that will help you boost your mood and energy. While there are many different natural herbs and supplements available here, I will list just a few. Please keep in mind that I am not offering medical advice and I encourage you to talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplement especially if you are breast feeding to make sure that there are not any negative effects for baby.

Aurum metallicum can be used by women who feel that their PPD is dark and they feel helpless. Women that should look into this herbal supplement would be those that are starting to believe that baby would be better off without them, that the world would be better off without them.

Another remedy that is used by women when they feel that their depression is for emotional as well as hormonal reasons is cimicifuga. Ignatia is another that is used by many mothers when they are starting to feel upset, tense or grief-stricken after giving birth.

There are still other natural treatments for postpartum depression including mediation, yoga, and aromatherapy and music therapy. Ask yourself right now, if there was someone that would show you how to feel better so that you can be a better mom to your baby, would you listen to them? Postpartum depression is completely treatable, and you can treat it effectively naturally.

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Postpartum depression is likewise known as postnatal depression. This is a condition encountered by women after giving birth. Studies show a rate of 5 percent to 20 percent of women affected by this condition. Such complications usually occur within the fist few months after childbirth. The condition is indicated by having the feeling of extreme sadness and having other related psychological disturbances after giving birth to the baby. Here are some more facts about postpartum depression:

Women suffering from postpartum depression will be extremely sad, will cry a lot, will be moody and very irritable, will lose interest in most of her normal daily activities including taking care of the newborn
Women who have had a history of depression prior to pregnancy are more likely to go into postpartum depression
Treating postpartum depression may include the combination of using antidepressant medications and some forms of counseling

Having the Baby Blues

Having the baby or maternity blues is a mild condition suffered by 80 percent of postnatal women. Women suffering from this usually feel sad or lonely. This condition persists for a few hours or days after birth. However, it should be note that maternity blues is not the same as postnatal depression, as most people believe, and not its precursor. The former may last only for days and will be gone in a couple of weeks, while the latter may last for weeks or months.

Risks of Postpartum Depression

There are different risks particularly identified due to postnatal depression. They are as follows:
Because of the physical and emotional state of the mother, she will choose to have her baby formula-fed instead of breastfed, something that will put the baby at a big health disadvantage.
The depression spells will usually cause unwanted tension over the other members of the family.
The psychological and emotional state of the mother may lead to cigarette smoking, which obviously is hazardous to her and the baby’s health.
The depression will trigger poor marital relationships when the feeling of sadness or loneliness is felt most over the members of the family, especially her partner whom she feels is mistreating her.
Postpartum depression may lead to feelings of desperation over sexual activities to lessen the feeling of sadness or guilt with the current childbirth.

Treatment of Postpartum Depression

Several scientific studies support the notion that postnatal depression should be treated through application of various methods. Treatment should consider the factors that triggered the problem, and these treatment methods may include increase of partner support, additional help with childcare, and similar many others.

Women need prior attention when symptoms of depression appear. On the list bellow includes some of the various treatment options available for these women:

The mother should undergo medical evaluation to rule out other physiological problems
The mother may undergo cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as psychotherapy
Possible medication may be advised by her doctor
Support groups that may include friends and family members and other women who are undergoing the same problem
Home visits/home visitors
Having a healthy diet and lifestyle in general
Getting consistent and healthy sleep patterns

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One medication that has just received a great deal of attention lately is fish oil and its ability to prevent Postpartum Depression. But what is Postpartum Depression? Postpartum depression or PPD is also known as postnatal depression. This is a form of a clinical depression which may have an effect on women after she gives birth, and at times, also men are affected by this.

Postpartum depression happens in women after they give birth, usually in the first few months after giving birth. Warning signs include sadness, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, appetite changes, crying parts, insomnia and reduced libido. This condition is resplendently familiar.

There is some initial confirmation to suggest that the omega-3 fatty acids that can be found in fish and fish oil, including Eicosapentanoic acid or EPA and Docosahexanoic acid or DHA, have an antidepressant effect. It has been discovered that during pregnancy, mothers selectively transfer DHA to their baby and through the breast milk to support neurological development in the developing child. Studies show that Omega 3 fatty acid will also improve the growth of the brain and visual system of the fetus. Thus, child-bearing women may become depleted of DHA, and it has been assumed that DHA deficiency may make mothers more susceptible to depression during the postpartum period. So, eating more fish during pregnancy may reduce the risk of postpartum depression.

Consuming alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil or other vegetable oils could not be as effective as taking fish oil, because the ability of the body to convert alpha-linolenic acid to docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid is limited.

Obtaining appropriate rest, nutrition, and support are very significant, in view of the fact that being exhausted or sleep deprived or feeling stressed can add force to and fuel feelings of depression and sadness.

However, some experts also warned pregnant women about eating too much fish because of mercury contamination. Because of this, it is important for pregnant and those nursing women to use fish oil products that are not high in mercury, so as not to expose the fetus or infant to extreme amounts of this toxic metal. It can be hard to get what you need from your diet. It is better to consult your doctor first if the supplement is right for you. A doctor who is trained to diagnose, treat, and stop postpartum depression will be able to make a precise assessment of fish oil’s efficiency, particular to the needs of the mother or mother-to-be.

Postpartum depression, also known as postnatal depression usually occurs after childbirth. In rare cases, it may also occur during child bearing. This condition makes pregnant women irritable, sad, depressed and worried. Some women also experience extreme mood swings and anxiety. They become cranky and cry for no reason at all. Such symptoms should be dealt with very carefully. It is important that the family members provide all the required support. Doctors suggest that spouses and their families should learn how to deal with such situations. Counseling family members can help them cope with irritable mood swings and depression. This condition is primarily caused due to hormonal changes. It is a sensitive issue that is difficult to handle. Care and understanding is required. There are some other treatments and solutions for this condition.

Treatment And Solution For Postpartum Depression

• Counseling – This is the best treatment available. Psychotherapy sessions help a pregnant woman deal with their situation. She learns to handle her emotions and thereby control such extreme swings. The counseling is offered on a one-to-one basis to the woman and her family members. Several support groups arrange interactive sessions to deal with such pregnancy symptoms. It is advisable to consult a psychotherapist if the signs of irritability go beyond control and the pregnant woman feels melancholic all the time.

• Nutrition – Deficiency in nutrition may also lead to postpartum depression. However, there is no proof of good nutrition being instrumental in reducing this kind of depression. Nevertheless, a good and balanced diet will be beneficial for the mother as well as the baby. Pregnant women must include Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, B vitamin and calcium in their diet. Consult your doctor for a balanced diet plan.

• Hormone Therapy – This is another solution for postpartum depression. The hormone Estrogen is responsible for such complications among women. A hormone replacement therapy may be the ideal solution. However, this treatment has some risk factors involved hence, it is important to consult your doctor.

• Medicines – There is medication for this condition if it becomes severe. Sometimes, the mother becomes extremely depressed and is not in a position to take care of the baby. This kind of situation requires the administration of anti-depressants. However, self medication can be dangerous. It is advisable to consult your doctor for treatment.

Sometimes postpartum depression can lead to suicidal tendencies in the mother. This condition needs urgent care and treatment. Read the warning signs and symptoms and start the treatment at once. Co-operation and care from family members can help the woman overcome this problem and lead a happy life.

Are you at risk of, or experiencing, postpartum depression? Would you like a more natural alternative to drug therapies? Chances are your diet is lacking in essential fatty acids and eating more fish or taking fish oil supplements could make all the difference.

First, let’s clarify what we mean by postpartum depression, or postnatal depression. This is a form of clinical depression, usually lasting for several months. It’s characterised by feelings of sadness, anxiety and irritableness, fatigue, insomnia, appetite changes, reduced libido and crying episodes. It shouldn’t be confused with maternity blues or ‘baby blues’, which generally last only a few hours or days.

But whether you’re experiencing postpartum depression or a dose of the baby blues, it seems that fish oil could be the key to alleviating both conditions.

It’s not the oil itself but the omega 3 fatty acids in oily fish that can help to improve mood and behaviour.

It has been well known for some time that fatty acids are essential for the healthy formation of the brain’s nerve cell membranes and membrane fluidity. Because nerve cell function depends on proper membrane functioning and membrane fluidity, any changes can have a negative effect on behavior, mood and mental function.

A 1998 report in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that patients with depression had significantly lower levels of omega 3s in their red blood cell membranes.

It seems that omega 3 makes it easier for serotonin – the chemical that carries messages from one brain cell to another – to pass through cell membranes. Increasing the fatty acid levels has a direct effect on increasing serotonin levels and the more serotonin, the better a person’s mood and behaviour.

People with bipolar disorder can also benefit from increased omega 3s as their mood swings can be significantly smoothed out. Anyone taking antidepressants for postpartum depression should also consider boosting their intake, as studies show that the effectiveness of this medication can be improved.

To reinforce the connection between a good intake of omega 3s and reduced postpartum depression, people from cultures that consume a lot of these essential fatty acids have significantly lower rates of depression.

Fish or fish oil supplements?

In recent times, most of us have tried to reduce our consumption of fats in the interests of good heart health and our waistlines. But it seems that we may have gone a little too far.

Grass-fed beef and eggs are both good sources of omega 3 fatty acids but we have turned away from these saturated fat foods in favour of polyunsaturated plant fats, such as corn, soybean and sunflower oils.

Although these plant-based oils can help reduce bad saturated fats in our diet, they are low in omega 3s.

The best source of fatty acids is fish oil. This is because it contains the two main fatty acids, DHA and EPA. You can also get omega 3s from plants such as flaxseeds and walnuts but they don’t contain both EPA and DHA. Instead, they contain ALA, another type of fatty acid, which your body can convert to EPA and DHA. Unfortunately, the conversion process isn’t very efficient and you need about 11 grams of ALA just to get one gram of DHA.

So oily fish is the best source of omega 3s for postpartum depression.

But there is a downside to consuming more oily fish. Often, these fish are farmed or caught in waters that contain high levels of mercury and other heavy metals, as well as PCBs and dioxins. These substances can seriously damage your health over time and so many people turn to fish oil supplements instead.

A good quality supplement will be molecularly distilled to remove any trace of contaminants. It should also be fresh – check the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis (COA) on their website to make sure they test their product’s oxidation levels. An oxidised product will be full of free radicals, which damage cells and undo all the benefits of taking the oil.

So there’s no need to put up with the symptoms of postpartum depression, or the baby blues, when help could be at hand in the form of simple fish oil supplements. If you would like more information about omega 3 and its many benefits, or about the supplements I use daily myself, please visit my website.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is also known as postnatal depression. This is a form of a clinical depression which may affect women after giving birth, and sometimes, also men are affected by this. Studies report shows incidence rates among women from 5% to 25%, but practical variations among the studies formulate the actual incidence rate not clear. Postpartum depression occurs happens in women after they have bear a child, more often than not in the first few months after giving birth. Warning signs include sadness, anxiety, irritability, appetite changes, fatigue, insomnia, crying parts and reduced libido. This condition is astoundingly familiar. Up to date data implies that 5 to 9 percent of women will acquire postpartum depression, but less than one in five of these women will search for professional help. It is every now and then implicit that postpartum depression is caused by being deficient of having vitamins, but studies have a tendency to show that more likely causes are the major changes in a woman’s hormones for the duration of pregnancy. On the other hand, hormonal medicine has not helped postpartum depression sufferers. Most women restore their health for the reason that of a support group or counseling.

Most of the new moms will feel happy one minute then sad the next. Postpartum depression can make them feel restless, anxious, fatigued and worthless. Some new moms are troubled that they might hurt themselves or their babies. Postpartum depression will not die away at once. Very hardly ever, first time moms come into being something even further serious. They might stop eating, having trouble to sleep and become frantic or paranoid. Women having this condition by and large need to be hospitalized.

Studies show that consuming sufficient amounts of omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil during pregnancy may reduce the occurrence of preterm delivery. Thus, it will also improve the growth of the brain and visual system of the fetus. The results of the studies suggest that fish oil may also be helpful as a treatment (and most likely prevention) of postpartum depression. With this, it is important for pregnant and those nursing women to use fish oil products that are not high in mercury, so as not to expose the fetus or infant to extreme amounts of this toxic metal. Taking alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil or other vegetable oils could not be as helpful as using fish oil, because the ability of the body to switch alpha-linolenic acid to docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid is limited.

Having proper rest, nutrition, and support are very important, in view of the fact that being worn out or sleep deprived or feeling stressed can add force to and stimulate feelings of sadness and depression.

Mothers should get plenty of rest as much as they can and eat nourishing food. Conversation to people close to them, or to other new mothers, can help them feel supported and remind them that they’re not alone. They don’t have to suffocate in tears if they feel the need to cry a bit — but try not to dwell on sad thoughts. Let the depression pass by their course and get ahead of. Pregnant women shouldn’t be alarmed with postpartum depression because fish oil supplements can be a really good pregnancy partner.

After childbirth, many mothers feel very emotional. They may feel sad, afraid, inadequate, or angry. This is called postpartum blues or the baby blues and usually goes away within a week. Postpartum depression lasts longer and is more severe.

The 10 to 20% who feel depressed for longer can experience the inability to sleep or the desire to sleep much more; recurring thoughts of either something bad happening to their baby or of doing something to hurt the baby themselves; feeling no instinctive need to care for the baby or feeling unable to care; and feeling guilty, mad, unhappy or scared.

We know that massage is beneficial for mothers and for babies; in the instance of postpartum depression, massage benefits both as well as the relationship between the two, allowing them both to experience positive, healing interaction. Mom gets a massage and also learns how to share the experience with her baby.

During those first days after birth and the following first weeks, both baby and Mom will not always sleep well and regularly. Nerves can be on edge and it can seem like all you do as a mother is feed and diaper your baby. A relaxing massage can soothe and calm the mother. If she is also taught how to massage her baby, the shared experience can give them the opportunity to bond. The baby can also find relief from digestive problems and colic, teething, and inability to sleep.

The study ‘Massage and mother baby interaction with depressed mothers’, carried out by Fetal and Neonatal Stress Research Group, considered whether mothers suffering from postnatal depression would benefit from attending baby massage classes.

One group went to five massage classes and another similar (control) group went to a support group. At the end of the test period the massage group had significantly less depression and better interaction with their babies than the control group.

Soothing massage music helps us to relax. Research suggests that music stimulates the body’s natural “feel good” chemicals (opiates and endorphins). This stimulation results in improved blood flow, blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing, and posture changes, many of the same results that we see from massage. So both mother and baby can benefit greatly from massage accompanied by massage music.

Having a baby is a tremendous life transition. Most couples prepare for this transition by reading books about pregnancy and birth, taking childbirth education courses, and discussing the myriad of options for the accompanying baby gear. However, having the best postpartum experience possible involves more than just making decisions about the proper gear to buy and which set of grandparents get to visit first.

Eighty percent of women experience some sort of postnatal mood disorder, the mildest of which is called the “baby blues”. Symptoms of the baby blues include weepiness, sadness and anxiety, and these negative emotions can last for the first several weeks of the new baby’s life. With proper preparation, the majority of women can avoid the baby blues.

Expectations

Everyone comes with pre-conceived notions of how life with a new baby “ought” to be. Women spend the pregnancy imagining their sweet little bundle of joy’s hair, eyes, nose, tiny fingers and even tinier toes. It is difficult, if not impossible, to truly anticipate how different life after baby will be. Having the proper expectations of yourself as a mother, as a wife, and as a housekeeper will be key. Understand that the housework will be put on the back burner – it will not be a priority, nor should it be. In those first few weeks postpartum, life will be a whirlwind, and you will be amazed at how the hours in a day can fly past in a blur of baby needs. Do not expect to accomplish anything, and when you have a free moment, spend your time on activities that rejuvenate you – a hot bath, reading a few pages from a good book, a NAP.

Do not expect your partner to know what to do for you or the baby automatically. If you’re hungry, ask for something to eat. If you are out of those little onesies because of the incredible amount of fluid a baby can eject from all orifices, ask him to toss in a load of laundry (and don’t complain when they are not folded into the perfect tiny mounds in the brand new dresser, like you had them when you folded them over and over during your pregnancy because they were so cute… and tiny). If the baby just ate and needs to be burped or changed, Daddy can handle it. Hand over the baby and don’t hover over his shoulder sharing your critique of how he’s doing. He’ll figure it out, and baby will survive – even if the diaper is on backwards.

Do not expect your baby to eat on a schedule based on the clock, or sleep for five hours in a row. Breastfed babies eat every 1.5 to two hours, and all babies wake frequently. Sometimes baby will want to nurse again, and it will seem like you just got done. Hold your baby. Feed your baby. Expect baby to need you constantly. That’s what babies do, and yours is perfect.

Family Support

Support is an incredibly important part of the postpartum recovery. The last thing you need is criticism, when you are still trying to get the hang of the whole baby and mothering routine. If your mother or mother-in-law does not support your choices, don’t invite them to stay for a week as soon as the baby is born. There will be plenty of time for Grandma to bond with the new little sweetheart in three weeks when you are getting a bit more sleep, are more confident in your abilities, and when you have gotten to know what this new little person needs at any given time. Surround yourself with people who will help build your confidence and the budding relationship with your child, not undermine it.

BabyMoon

A babymoon is a wonderful way to get the support and help you need in the first weeks postpartum. There are native tribes who have a wonderful tradition of keeping the mother sequestered with her baby for 40 days, and she is not allowed to do any work other than tend to her newborn. The pair is completely cared for by the other women in the tribe. While our modern lives do not provide us the luxury of a full 40 days, there are things we can do to simulate this support.

Choose a period of time for your babymoon; one week would be great, two would be even better. Make it clear that you will not be entertaining visitors during this time (no, not even Grandma). Visitors are allowed to come for brief visits if they understand that they are there to help you, not just to ooh and aah over the baby. Visitors can bring meals – feel free to leave them by the door, thank you. Come on in and do a load of laundry, thank you. Yes, there are dishes piled in the sink, we’d really appreciate a hand with those, thank you. I’ve got the baby, thank you.

The benefits of a babymoon include:

* Intimate bonding as a family.

* No outside influences or criticism.

* No pressure to look good – stay in your pajamas all day if you want, and nobody cares that you haven’t showered yet today (or yesterday).

* Skin- to-skin contact is easier – you can walk around the house topless with your newborn without worrying who will be dropping by.

* Breastfeeding is easier, since you’re not worried about Grandpa being offended if your nipple pops out of the baby’s mouth at an inopportune moment.

Attachment Parenting

Practicing Attachment Parenting (AP) not only helps the postpartum period go more smoothly, it will help make parenting easier overall. Attachment parenting means responding to your baby’s cues instead of trying to fit the baby into your routine and schedule. Newborns can not manipulate their parents; they can only communicate their needs. Responding to those needs will make baby happier, it will reduce your stress, and it will build your confidence as a mother and caregiver. Wear your baby – holding baby close is comforting to you both, and there are numerous health benefits for the baby as well. Invest in a comfortable sling; it is one of the truly indispensable pieces of baby gear that you should not be without. There are many other tenants of AP, and a great resource for more information is Attachment Parenting International.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not only the best nutrition for your baby, but it also releases wonderful “happy hormones” during the nursing process. It makes mama feel good, it makes baby feel good. Providing for your baby’s nutritional needs with milk that is made perfectly for them by your own body helps build confidence in yourself, and your ability to care for your baby. The close physical connection during nursing, eye contact and skin contact all help with bonding. If you are worried about being unable to nurse your baby, there are many fabulous lactation professionals in your community that would be happy to help you when the baby is born. They will take as much time as necessary to ensure that you and your baby are working together for a positive breastfeeding experience. If you do not breastfeed, you can still take advantage of feeding as a bonding experience by holding your baby close, maintaining eye contact, and promoting skin-to-skin contact.

Rest

Sleep deprivation is a fact of life after the baby is born. If you are used to getting a solid eight hours of sleep, adjusting to life with less can be difficult. But it can be harmful to just accept a total lack of sleep. Fatigue is the leading indicator for the development of postpartum depression later down the road. Fatigue has also been linked to postpartum psychosis. Adequate rest is an absolute necessity.

Do whatever it takes to make sure you are getting at least one four-hour stretch of sleep every single night. Your partner will play a key role in making this happen for you. Your baby will likely not sleep for four straight hours, and even if it does happen, the stars must align perfectly for you to both fall asleep simultaneously and sleep the same length of time. So, enlist your partner’s help. Your partner can take over baby duties while you rest during the night. Feed your baby right before you are ready to lie down, even if you need to wake them to do so. Your need for rest is important too. Expressed breastmilk can be given to the baby if they wake hungry. If you don’t want to use bottles so early in the nursing relationship, babies are able to slurp milk from a cup.

Sleeping with your baby will give you more rest throughout the night, but it is difficult for mothers to sleep once the baby wakes up. Plan to sleep separate from baby for this one part of the night.

Your partner can sleep with the baby in a separate room, or you can sleep in another room of the house that is comfortable and quiet for you. Once you wake from your four-hour rest, you can return to the family bed and sleep with your baby for the rest of the night. The first few weeks, plan on sleeping when the baby sleeps. If you have never been a “napper”, now is a great time to discover the joys of crashing out during daylight hours.

Nutrition

Just because your baby has arrived does not mean that your physical needs disappear, even though they may be pushed onto a different schedule. Make time to eat. Plan on your baby waking up as soon as you sit down to a meal, so make sure your microwave is working. Wearing your baby can make meal times easier – come to the table with your baby in the sling. They will stay happier for longer, allowing you to finish eating. Plan in advance, and have meals stored up in the freezer. Businesses such as Dream Dinners can help make this a snap – you spend a couple of hours there and prepare a variety of delicious meals that are frozen, then thawed and prepared when you need them.

Enlist the help of friends and family – designate a particular person to be in charge of meals. That person can call your friends and set up a schedule for meals, so you have a fresh meal arriving at your house around dinner time each night (and it saves you from having to call and ask, which may be awkward for you). Have a supply of meal replacement bars on hand – they should not be your main mode of nutrition, but if you have not had time to fix lunch, you’re starving and the baby needs to eat, you can grab one of them and a bottle of water and head to the couch.

Products such as Super Greens have fabulous nutrition that your body needs and will help you stay healthy and nourished. Drink adequate amounts of water; not coffee, not juice, not soda – water. It is easy to become dehydrated, particularly if you are breastfeeding.

Supplementation

Continue taking your prenatal vitamin after the baby comes, for as long as you are nursing. Use the placenta to help with your postpartum recovery. Your own placenta, made into capsules, is incredibly nutritious and beneficial to you. Women who take their placenta capsules tend to have better postpartum experiences, avoid the baby blues, have an increase in energy, and an increase in milk production. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used placenta for centuries to treat issues such as fatigue and insufficient lactation, and scientific studies have bolstered the use of placenta for these conditions. Using the placenta for your postpartum recovery is a very easy and natural way to help you feel better after the birth.

Motherhood is an amazing time in our lives, but it is a major transition and can be stressful. Be prepared, make use of every available resource (even the unconventional ones), and the stress of this time will be reduced. Every baby wants a happy mama, and your family deserves the best of you.

Thank you for your answers in advance.
BTW, I’m not taking anything right now. They will put me on something if I insist, however, I don’t think that this is beyond tolerable, yet. I am still functioning.

If I can handle this without meds, I would rather do so so that if I get hit with PPD after she’s born, the medication will have a better effect.

Is that an accurate assumption?

Postpartum depression is also called postnatal depresion.is a phenomenon with a long history,is a significant problem affecting 10-15% of mothers in many lands.
postpartum depression should not be confused with common postnatal moood swings.the most common type of postnatal mood change is what has come to be known as the baby blues.about 50% of women who give birth experience this tearful,emotionally labile state.it usually reaches a peak between the third and fifth days after birth and then gradually fades away on its own within weeks.studies suggest that these moods may result from changes in a woman’s hormone levels after she gives birth.
the postnatal depression involves prolonged feelings of depression that might begin at the birth of a child or even weeks or months later.a new mother with this condition may find herself elated one minute and depressed.even suicidal.she may be irritable,resentful and angry.she may experience a persistent feeling of inadequacy as a mother and a lack of love for her baby.a less common but more serious disorder occuring after child birth is postpartum psychosis.a sufferer might experience hallucinations,hear voices in her head,and lose touch with reality,although she may be rational for intermittent periods lasting for hours or days.the causes of this psychosis remain unclear,experts note that genetic vulnerability,perhaps triggered by hormonal changes,seems to be the most influential factor.a skilled medical professional may provide effective treatment for postpartum psychosis.

for conclusion,postpartum depression is a seriuos problem both men and women have to treat this problem with the help of a professional.

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What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)?

“After giving birth, many women experience a week or two of “baby blues,” marked by mood swings, feelings of ambivalence toward motherhood, mild depression, and bouts of unexplainable crying. These blues may be a result of hormonal changes; of the way labor, delivery, and motherhood are treated in today’s society; or of the isolation new mothers often feel. Certainly lack of sleep plays a role, too. In some women—as many as 11 to 15 percent of new mothers—the baby blues turns into clinical postpartum depression, or PPD” – Source: Coping with Postpartum Depression, Ronnie Lichtman, American Baby, 2006.

Women know that their bodies undergo very dramatic changes during pregnancy. Giving birth doesn’t make those changes disappear, and your body still needs to adjust from the trauma of having a baby. Hormones that affect mood and behavior flood the female body during and after pregnancy. Suddenly having a very demanding newborn to care for can be a huge change, especially to brand-new moms.

In some cases, these blues turn into actual clinical postpartum depression, better know as PPD.

Warning Signs of Postpartum Depression

Mothers who may be suffering with PPD will experience some warning signs. If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from these symptoms, you should consult with your physician. There are many ways that modern science and medicine can alleviate the symptoms associated with PPD. These symptoms include:

Uncontrollable crying

Bouts of crying that begin and end without reason are a common symptom of postpartum depression. Crying because of a sad movie, or even a long-distance telephone commercial, is a normal reaction. Crying for no reason whatsoever, however, may be a sign of PPD.

Lack of Interest in the Baby

Women suffering from PPD find that they lack both energy and interest in their newborn infant. Many women do not like to admit this side effect, even to them, for fear it makes them bad mothers. But lack of interest in the baby is a very common symptom of PPD, and completely normal. Many mothers experience the exact same thing.

Inability to Rest

No matter how tired, mothers suffering from postpartum depression have an increasing inability to rest or sleep. They cannot stay still, cannot seem to turn off their minds, cannot find comfort in slumber. This is a common and disturbing side effect of PPD.

Loss of Appetite

Women suffering from postpartum depression have very little appetite or desire for food.

The side effects and symptoms of PPD combine to make coping with postpartum depression that much harder for women who are already exhausted, malnourished, and fearful of being bad mothers. Remember, if you are suffering from PPD you are not alone. This is very, very common.

Coping With Postpartum Depression

The best way to cope with PPD is to consult with your physician. Research is still being conducted on the various treatment options for PPD. However, most doctors prescribe the following treatments:

·Self care at home

This is not a necessarily a substitute for medication, but it is very helpful. One of the ways women can do this is by surrounding themselves with family members who are extremely supportive. It involves the creation of a positive atmosphere around the patient. Moreover, PPD sufferers must also take rest, socialize and not expect too much from themselves.

·Supplements or Medication

Women are usually asked to take prenatal vitamins and iron, post delivery. At times, prescription antidepressants are given like fluoxetine (Prozac), parxetine (Paxil), amongst others. At times hormone therapy can also help. An intake of estrogen combined with antidepressants can go a long way in curing postpartum depression.

·Therapy

Doctors generally prescribe psychotherapy for mild cases. This has been widely effective in such cases. Some women are asked to undergo a therapy called Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). IPT enables women to make adjustments at a social level. Typically, this option consists of 12 sessions with a therapist that is one-hour long. At times, in serious cases a doctor might just consider putting the patient in a hospital, if there is a danger that the baby might be hurt in any way.

·Follow-Up

PPD is serious and women suffering from PPD must consult a doctor before following any treatment plan. Furthermore, if the doctor prescribes a medication or any therapy, it must be followed up with due diligence. The medications must not be stopped, unless your doctor tells you to do so.

To conclude, PPD is an ailment that might just go away by itself, but it is best to contact your doctor immediately if you think you are suffering from it.