Vibrant Transitions

The following is a list of resources and support to help you on your journey in finding help for postpartum depression. An estimated 5%-25% of women suffer from PPD so you are not alone. With skilled professional help and support PPD is treatable!

If you think you may be suffering from PPD I encourage you to start wherever feels right for you and keep searching until you find what works. There are many paths to recovering from PPD and sometimes it takes multiple ways. I hope that these resources help you find the path that is right for you!

Consider these steps on your path to recovery:

1. Consult with your care provider to find out if there is a physical cause such as a thyroid condition causing your symptoms.

2. Postpartum depression is only one in a spectrum of perinatal mental illnesses. Review a list of symptoms you may (or may not) experience in the period of pregnancy and after birth even up to one year.

3. Find an option in the various treatments that feels the best to you and for your unique situation. Below are many options (of course not all) to start with. If your having difficulty navigating this journey feel free to call me for a consultation and we can discuss the options to find what your first step should be. I understand what it is like to feel hopeless and full of despair and unable to see past those feelings to the help that is out there.   Email me for a consultation.

6 Things Every New Mom & Mom-to-Be Should Know About PPD & Related Disorders by Katherin Stone at Postpartum Progress blog spot

Local Resources & Alternative Therapies

Postpartum Depression Support Group: For women experiencing extreme feelings of anxiety, depression, and insomnia after childbirth Dan B. Moore Buildings, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center, 6600 Bruceville Rd.   Free and open to all women experiencing PPD.              Call 916-688-2317 for more information.

24 Hour Parent Stress Line: 916-368-3210 (General Info, referrals)

Regional Crisis Nurseries: 1-877-KIDS-PLACE

Craniosacral Therapy: Natali Mixon, CMT 916-786-0695, Roseville

Homeopathy, Bach Flower Essences & Botanicals: Michele S. Morgan, Ph.D. , phone consultations 208-860-7291, www.theoysterandthepearl.com

Beyond the Baby Blues: overcome the baby blues with hypnosis from Shoshana S. Bennett, specialist in PPD.

Nutrition Response Testing: Dr. Amber Vodden, D.C. 916-788-2780, www.pictureofhealthchiro.com

Books

Postpartum Depression Demystified by Joyce Venis & Suzanne McCloskey

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me? True Stories of New Motherhood by Melanie Bowden

A Natural Guide to Pregnancy & Postpartum Health by Dean Raffelock: www.pregnancyrecovery.com

This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman

Postpartum Survival Guide by Diane Sanford & Ann Dunnewold

The Year After Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger

The Postpartum Husband by Karen Kleiman

Resources

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a valuable and efficient way of identifying patients at risk for perinatal depression. The EPDS is easy to administer and has proven to be an effective screening tool.

The Center For Postpartum Adjustment :Good general information.

www.rcpsych.ac.uk: Go to Mental Health Information at the top of the screen and then find the Post Natal Mental Health on the tree for further information

Postpartum Education for Parents Warmline: 805-564-3888 or www.sbpep.org: Free 24 hour service provides confidential one-on-one support from trained volenteers, parents just like you. From basic infant care to breast or bottle feeding issues to postpartum adjustment, the Warmline can be a great source of information and support.

Organizations

Pacific Postpartum Support Society: www.postpartum.org

Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net

Center of Postpartum Health: www.postpartumhealth.com

Boot Camp For New Dads: www.bootcampfornewdads.com

Preventing Postpartum Depression

The following is taken from Dr. Elvove, M.D.: www.elvovemd.com whom developed a program to help prevent PPD for the patients in his practice. These suggestions are a guide to help you discover what you will need during your postpartum time.

1. Plan for a full two weeks off following childbirth. Other people should be responsible for the household chores and caring for older children so the new mother can rest with her new baby.
2. Naps are needed to help the body heal from childbirth and to establish an abundant milk supply if breastfeeding.  Sleep deprivation is a known cause of depression.
3. Good nutrition is essential during pregnancy for a healthy baby, and delivery and also applies for after delivery to help insure a healthy recovery.  Maintaining a good diet provides the essential nutrients and stabilizes blood sugar.  Providing a steady, stable blood sugar level will optimize brain function and minimize mood disorders such as depression.
4. Supplements of essential fatty acids are known to enhance brain function and prevent depression.  Fish oil and flax seed oil are two examples.  The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA act on the brain to improve blood flow and oxygen transport and to increase levels of serotonin.
5. Breastfeeding releases endorphins which are mood-elevating hormones.  The presence of these hormones may prevent depression.
6. There are significant hormonal changes following birth.  The placenta stops secreting progesterone which elevates and stabilizes the mother’s moods.  Some women can benefit from progesterone cream supplementation.  Ask your doctor for more information and if it is a benefit to you.
7. Find a care provider that specializes in family medicine that can treat mother and baby as a single unit with expertise in both gynecology and pediatrics.
8. Find the emotional support you need during the stages of this transition and choose people that respect nature’s process of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum.  How a woman looks back on her experience of the labor process may very well affect her postpartum recovery.