Postpartum Depression

I suffered from ppd with all of my children. My first I suffered with 2yrs before I was finally diagnosed. I was told and read a lot that said that someone could suffer from ppd for up to 2yrs or so. The only thing I can tell you is get to a dr. asap and get on meds if they are needed.

Good Luck!

Yes D. you may be suffering from PPD and good for you for reaching out to others for help and support. I am a postpartum doula and too often I see mothers suffering and keeping it all in. There are many factors that contribute to PPD and a specialist can help you sort through these factors and provide a treatment plan that will best suit you. There are 2 centers in Philadelphia, The Postpartum Stress Center and the Center for Postpartum Depression. Both are excellent and even though you are in Newark they should be able to direct you for help in your area. You can google them for more info. Good luck and hang in there.

T. RN

Work and caring for a baby is rough. Yes, you can still have PPD, but the best thing you can do is bring this up with your doctor. I went through this and sort of still am (my daughter is 10 months old, and there are other stress factors, like our house burning down). I had been on Zoloft, and was switched to lexipro. I felt better on the zoloft, and the side effects were less (I had NO sex drive on lexipro, so my husband liked the zoloft better as well). This was a last resort option becasue it was just impossible to change other factors. See if there are factors thart you can change, such as...can you get by on working less hours? Do you have others to help you out...not taking the baby, bet getting things done while you have her? baths help. if your daughter likes water, she may be able to sit in a bath seat and play while you relax a few minutes...it is the only way I get a bath or a shower. Do you have someone outside of your family you can confide in? Someone objective? Talking it out and hearing what you are thinking out loud somehow can put a lot of things into perspective and help you organize your thoughts and the things around you. Talk with your doctor and if he or she doesn't seem to listen, get a new one. Sometimes its not PPD and it is just plain old stress. I know that feeling as I am packing up and leaving for a few days right now. Sometimes a change of scenery and pace really help. I was also told that a healthy diet, some exercise (I take my daughter to the mall in a snugli), and extra water can boost the mood. it actually does. becasue I nurse, I did not want the effects of drugs (so thankfully mine was approved for breastfeeding moms).
When even the above things seem not to work, just pick up your little one and hold her close. it does wonders to boost the mood. It reminds me of how helpless she is and how much she needs me to be sane. Hold her and talk to her. Talk out your problems (but in a happier tone).
And remember, you are not alone. it is ok to feel the way you do.
Best of luck to you. If you need to talk or vent, you can message me if you'd like.

hi D.
i never had ppd but i know people who did that was taking on to much like work,home,baby.and i think the reason i never had it is i have a wonderful husband who makes enough money for us and i don't have to work so i have been a stay at home mom for 11 yrs my oldest is 10 my middle is 9 and my youngest is 6 and there are times i would like to get out there and work but i think my kids need me more and i don't want anyone else raising my kids i would rather have less money than not spending that time with them..if you have to work because of the money than that's different but if your fiancee makes enough money than talk to him about being a mommy full time if you can afford it and just be happy with your beutiful baby i know we don't get paid for being a full time mom but we get so many other rewards being here for them..good luck with your baby and keep me posted on how you get over this i hope you get better.

Yes it is possible....
Do not hesitate....call your doctor NOW!

Im no expert but I have a 5mos old and started back to work and the stresses of life started to pile on and when through some of the same feelings. Im sure its possible to get ppd at this point or you may be just starting to get your menstral cycle back in order and pms. I feel that is what my problem is latley.
Good luck to you!

I would say yes. My postpartum depression started when my baby was 8 months old. Being a nurse is an emotionally draining job as well as being a mom, so your symptoms are understandable. In my recovery, I started praying more and doing devotions every night before bed. I feel that God leads me in the right direction and everything falls into place. I did a lot of journal writing to express my feelings. I wrote down positive things my friends and family members said about me and put them on the fridge. I re-connected with some old friends that I had lost touch with. I tried to think of things I used to enjoy doing but don't do anymore and figure out how to fit them into my busy schedule. For example, I love to dance, so I started going to Jazzercise, where childcare is provided. I see a therapist once a month, who gives me a lot of positive feedback and makes suggestions that really help me. I began a new hobby, scrapbooking and card making. I just felt that making and sending a card takes a few minutes and is a better use of my time that staring at the wall depressed. I joined a MOPS group at my church. I love to meet and talk with women that share my troubles, values, and priorities. Love yourself and let others love you.

Yes, you can. My doctor actually told me that you can have PPD up until your child is 2. I had it with my older son and now with the baby. My doctor prescribed Lexapro for me, but not everyone likes to take medicine. With my older son, I also saw a counselor once a week. Make sure your spouse or signifigant other is helping out when you are both home, make time for yourself, even if it is 15-20 minutes in the grocery store kid free. Don't feel guilty about putting the baby in a crib or playpen and stepping away if they are crying. Sometimes you just need to remove yourself for a few minutes to relax. Baby can feel your stress, tension and frustration which makes them more agitated and harder to calm. I am a SAHM so I am with my kids ALL the time. My husband is an awesome support system to me. On the weekends, he gets up with the baby at night and early in the morning. It was hard for me to realize that I do not have to do everything by myself. Don't try to be super mom, just do the best you can. Hang in there, it does get better. I hope this helps.

Hello D.,
Yes you can still have PPD after four months, as a matter of fact PPD can happen anytime during your daughters first 4 or 5 years of life, I ended up haing it after my daughter was 6 months old, the doctor treated me with zoloft, it really worked for me, but you should really talk to your doctor about he or she can help you with the best way of dealing with your depression. I hope that this helps.
Good Luck
S.

Hi D. - yes, you can start PPD symptoms any time all the way through the first year! I didn't seek help or advice until my daughter was 7 months old....There is a great PPD mom's support group who meets at the hospital (Christiana) on Wednesdays at 1:00. It just helps speaking to the other mom's who have been there, and it is a good place to vent...It is SO HARD to work and have a little baby - you hear it and hear it but it doensn't hit home until you are doing it. I had horrible sleep problems the first year (couldn't go to sleep or stay asleep for longer than an hour) and I was highly irritated all the time....if you can't get to the group you can call Christiana Hospital and ask for a PPD specialist just so you can talk to someone (don't wait) HOpe this helps and hang in there - J.

Hello, I hope you are feeling well. I was wondering if you were on birth control, and if so What type? Also, do u have help with Aubrey? There is a lot of stress having a New baby so maybe you and your hubby may want to get a sitter so you can have a break for a weekend. And yes you can have PPD 4 months after the baby is born. I experienced it 5 months afterwards. So be sure to talk with your Dr asap.

my doctor told me you could get post partum depression anytime in the first year after having a baby. My sypstoms worsened when ym son was about 4 months old. I would make a appointment with your PCP and talk to them about it or if u wanted you OB but with your baby being 4months old you might need to see your PCP.

Don't know if you want to call it postpartum, but you have enough going on for depression in anyone. Definitely you have too much stress, with a baby AND a full-time job. I'd put off work for as long as possible, if I were you. And do anything you can to get enough rest, something all moms need and hardly any get.

Yes, you are under a ton of stress. Do you have to work? Is Bobby the father? Too much, too soon, girlfriend. If you can have Bobby support you and the baby, then get out of your job as fast as you can. You don't want to have to end up on Zoloft - it will cause you to gain weight and then you'll be really depressed. Take a lot of naps.

You may have postpartum. You should go to your OB or PCP and get on an antidepressant for a while. My friend had it really bad and so did a coworker. They were treated- one was able to get off after the 1st year, the other realized she had always struggled with depression and has been on treatment since. You will feel better and can enjoy your baby more.Yes, going back to work after a baby is very trying. It gets easier. Maybe as a pediatric nurse you could ask for an alternative work schedule??

Go to your doctor. Talk to him/her. I had the same thing happen to me when I went back to work except I simply couldn't stand to leave my son. I would cry on the way to work and while at work. You are no good to your employer if you are like that. My doctor put me out of work for a year. I went back to work part time. If you can afford not to work you should at least think about taking some more time off, maybe you are not ready. Or maybe you should try part time at first, just a few hours a week. Even if you don't want to take off from work at least you can let him/her know what's going on and maybe he/she can help. Talk to your fiance too. And anyone else you trust. Find a supportive network. Join a MOMS group/club, who better to understand what you are going through? Also, try to get some exercise, when the weather is nice take you baby for a walk. Even around the block is better than nothing, getting out in the sun may help and exercise has been shown to help depression especially PPD. Kill two birds with one stone with a program like Baby Boot Camp where you can meet other moms, be in a supportive environment, and bond with you baby all at the same time. Even if you are not interested in working out they host free events all the time so that you can meet other moms and just get out of the house. Check out www.babybootcamp.com or google another mom and baby fitness class in your area, just make sure they follow ACOG guidelines so that you are working out safely. Just make sure to talk to your doctor. I hope you feel better soon.

I know I was a mess after my third child, most of it was due to lack of sleep. I literally thought I was losing my mind. Going back to work can also be very stressful. Try, if possible, to find some time each day for yourself, even if it's 15 min in the bathtub instead of watching t.v., or being on here. My daughter is 4 now , and I"m prego with my fourth, and from time to time I end up in tears for God only knows what reason. Hormones can play a major part , also. I hear it takes a good year to get back to 'normal' after having a baby, so your body could still be adjusting.

A few things I have tried, other than trying my hardest to get more than 4 hours of sleep, lol, is taking good vitamins daily, and trying to eat better, as in, fresh fruits,(apples) and veggies, and avoiding as much white flour and sugar as possible. (I am a sweet freak, so I know how hard this can be.) A good 10-30 min walk in fresh air also does wonders for the mood.

I hope any of this helps. Hang in there, you'll make it thru this. God Bless and take care.

L.