Postpartum Period

Overcome Postpartum Depression

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“New mothers need sleep and rest, which is hard to come by with a newborn. The Asian lifestyle is more suited for new mothers to handle these situations since grandmothers and aunts offer help voluntarily. The new mother is pampered and not allowed to do any kind of work for at least a period of 2 months. This kind of a set-up provides the much needed company and rest that a new mother needs.” -Natural Remedies for Postpartum Depression

Author: Barry J McDonald
In the summer of 2005, Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields engaged in a word war against each other over the issue of postpartum depression. Cruise’s and Brooke’s debacle started when Tom Cruise openly disapproved of Brooke Shield’s personal choice of opting to take prescribed medicines to cure her postpartum depression, when he was a guest on the Today Show. According to Cruise, who is a popular devotee of Scientology (who believes that we can be cured through natural means and that taking medicine is doing our body harm), Brooke Shields should have instead, opted to cure her postpartum depression by doing healthy exercises and that a lot of people have been misinformed about depression and how to actually cure this common illness.

But what is postpartum depression really? We’ve heard about it often enough, yet are we really sure that we know enough about it for us to actually understand this illness in order for us to help ourselves as well as others? Being pregnant should really be a source of joy for everyone, especially the mother to be, who for nine months, will actually have a living being grow inside of her. Unfortunately, there is another side to this joyous occasion, being pregnant means that you and your body will have to get used to some adjustments for you to have a safe pregnancy. Smoking, alcohol, strenuous activities as well as stress should be avoided at all costs. A healthy baby means having a healthy mother as well. Even after successfully avoiding all of these bad habits, you still have to contend with childbirth.

Then there is more because postpartum depression actually happens after childbirth. Although it’s quite common and a lot of women have learned to how to deal with it as well as successfully treat it (like Brooke Shields), it is still quite avoidable. Postpartum depression is actually a lot like regular depression, but only new moms are the victims of this illness. There are actually a lot possible causes of postpartum depression.

The baby blues are characterized by a short period of volatile emotions, commonly occurring between the second and fifth postpartum days and affecting between 80 and 90 percent of new mothers. In contrast, postpartum depression (PPD) usually begins at four to eight weeks postpartum (but sometimes later in the first year) and can persist for more than a year. PPD affects from 10 to 16 percent of new mothers. - Preventing Postpartum Depression, Ivillage.com

Childbirth as we all know is not as easy as pie, actual physical stress from giving birth is one of the main reasons why postpartum depression occurs. Another postpartum depression trigger is massive changes is hormonal levels. A lot of moms-to-be who were hesitant about bearing a child are also more susceptible to postpartum depression, those who are not ready to be a mother yet are more easily to get depressed as opposed to happy and excited moms-to-be.

When postpartum depression happens, it really is best to go to the doctor immediately. Aside from obviously having ill-effects for the new mother, postpartum depression can prove to be harmful to the child as well. New mothers who are suffering from postpartum depression may be harboring ill feelings toward their children. Their are actually some cases of murder wherein postpartum depression has been cited as the reason. Mothers who suffer from postpartum depression may blame their child for their weight gain, thus feeling like they’ve become less attractive and unloved. It is really best to consult a reputable cognitive behavior therapist to take care of your postpartum woes, your therapist may prescribe medications to help cure postpartum depression as well as therapy sessions to help relieve whatever pent emotions that you may have.

Sheryl’s comment:
I can see both sides of the “argument” in the Tom Cruise - Brooke Shields postpartum depression debate. Like Tom, I believe that most depression can be prevented through proper diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle, but I also agree with Brooke that postpartum depression is a very real and potentially dangerous condition that requires attention.

Naturally, the best way to approach any disease is from a prevention standpoint. Some people believe that many cases of PPD are caused or aggravated by violent hospital births. Given the physical and psychological assault that women have to endure in a hospital birth, I agree 100%. Others believe that violent hospital births cause PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and again I agree 100%. Violent births come in many forms but suffice it to say that anything that chemically blasts, physically drags or slices a fetus from a woman’s womb is violent. Just because a woman’s conscious mind believes the procedure to be “civilized” does not make it so.

In addition, prenatal fitness and proper nutrition can do wonders to minimize or prevent PPD. Adequate intake of Omega 3s is a huge player in preventing PPD. Get your Omega 3s from mercury free fish, fish oils, flaxseed oil, flax seeds or walnuts. Taking a daily walk during pregnancy and the postpartum period will also do wonders for a mother’s mental and physical health while boosting circulation, preparing (or recovering from) childbirth, and providing much needed Vitamin D and fresh air.

Lastly, family support is crucial during pregnancy and postpartum. While pregnancy and birth has the potential to be the most primal, beautiful experience of your life, it also has the potential to be the most alienating. Surround yourself with other mothers if your family does not fill the bill. Finally, please be prepared to seek professional help if all else fails, despite what Tom has to say about it.

About the author:
Feel Happier, Get Back Your Passion for Life and Boost Your Energy Levels 100% by Conquering Stress, Depression and Anxiety in Only 90 Days - Many Clients Report Noticeable Results in Just SEVEN DAYS…Visit http://www.scienceofbreath.be/depressionhelp.html for details.

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