MotherWoman Inc

A local leading force in the national revolutionary movement of mothering!

Postpartum Support by MotherWoman
Support Groups	Postpartum Center	Recognizing Signs & Symptoms of Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Right now, we are the only providers of group support for mothers experiencing postpartum stress, depression and anxiety in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. This page will fill up with community and on-line resources. We are proud to be a Postpartum Support International member organization. Postpartum Emotional Distress Spectrum Postpartum “Blues” – Approximately 75 – 90% of new mothers experience brief, temporary moodiness with crying, irritability and frustration. Typically begins 48 hours postpartum, worsens 3-5 days postpartum and resolves 12 – 14 days postpartum. Unlike PPD, crying comes and goes and is interspersed with periods of serenity and pleasure, and can be shaken off with a nap, getting out of the house and/or support. Addressing postpartum blues – Education about effects of hormonal shifts on the emotions. Acknowledging and normalizing the immensity of physical and emotional adjustment to having a baby. Encourage self care in her daily routine, such as eating better, napping, getting outside, taking a bath, etc and leaving household tasks for later. Ask help from support system. Give parents permission to parent in a way that promotes both the parent’s health and baby’s health. Postpartum Stress Syndrome – Approximately 50 – 75% of women experience postpartum stress (PPS). This is the most common reaction to the adjustment to motherhood and falls between the relatively mild “blues” and the relatively severe postpartum depression. These mothers function pretty well and get though the day without anyone else being able to notice their internal struggle. Their internal resources are intact enough to go through the motions and do what needs to be done, but there is an underlying sense of disappointment or sadness that interferes with her level of enjoyment or self esteem. PPS is characterized by anxiety and self-doubt based on unrealistically high self-expectations and deep desire to be a “perfect mother”. This pressure leads to feelings of inadequacy as she is confronted with the normal chaos, lack of control and identity adjustment to motherhood. PPS is different for different women depending on their personal expectations, the implicit or explicit pressure or expectations of those around them, the level of support they have, the level of care of their baby. Common risk factors include illness in self or baby, high need or colicky baby, c-section, closely placed births or toddlers at home, difficulty in leaving the house, marital separation/strife, single parenting, financial difficulties, etc. The daily accumulation of stress can create pps, as well as unrealistic expectations of self and others for mother to “do it all and do it all well with a smile.” Addressing PPS – SELF-CARE & SUPPORT. Normalizing and acknowledging immensity of adjustment to having a baby and being a parent. Giving permission for a woman to feel this level of overwhelm helps her to make self-care a priority. Encourage and help her with self-care such as eating better, napping, bathing, exercising, getting out of the house, minimizing expectations about household chores, and the care for others (adults, animals, extended family, plants). Gathering as much support as possible. Group conversations with other mothers to understand the universality of this feeling. Humor. Time away from the baby. Postpartum Depression – Approximately 10 - 25% of mothers will experience PPD - 1 in 4 mothers. Typically occurs 6 - 8 weeks postpartum, but can show up immediately following birth or 18 months later! It can be a result of a number of risk factors, or can strike without warning. It can happen to women in distressful situations and fully satisfying situations, with first, second or third births. Symptoms include… excessive crying, feeling numb, feeling little to no attachment to the baby, no interest in things that used to give pleasure, little feeling of enjoyment, no energy, feelings of failure, feeling overwhelmed with the smallest tasks, hopelessness, fear this will last, agitation with self, others, baby, insomnia, excessive sleeping, difficulty concentrating, change in appetite, fear of being alone with baby, fantasies of harming baby or of harmful things happening to baby, can’t shake feeling of depression, symptoms of anxiety. Compounding her feelings of depression, is a woman’s immense disappointment that she is not experiencing joy as a mother. PPD is different from other forms of clinical depression because 1) PPD occurs in the cultural context of lifelong expectations, deep-seated dreams and hopes about birth and motherhood. The myth that motherhood, especially new motherhood is positive, natural, fulfilling and wonderful. Women who struggle with PPD struggle with deep disappointment in themselves and the experience. 2) PPD occurs during the most demanding time in a woman’s life, the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a baby, sleep deprivation, physical healing, isolation and stress exacerbate normal symptoms of depression and make recovery more difficult. 3) In PPD, the stakes seem higher, in that the care of a vulnerable infant is expected of a woman while feeling depressed. 4) PPD is time-limited because of the eventual leveling of hormones, diminished demands of baby care (including increased sleep, etc) and increased feelings of competence in the mother. Addressing Postpartum Depression – SELF-CARE & SUPPORT Increase support! Seek professional support. Seek medical assessment to rule out other possible health factors such as hyper/hypothyroidism, anemia, etc. Increase self-care, eating well, exercise, time away from baby, etc. Get help with basic baby care. Lower expectations, minimizing household expectations, and discourage “toughing it out.” Ask for help with anything from laundry food, to sleep-overs with friends, to baby care. Encourage mothers not to be self-critical “I am damaging my baby because I am depressed.” Help mothers to see what they are doing “good enough.” Conversations with mothers who have also experienced postpartum distress. Postpartum Anxiety – There is considerable overlap between PPD and PPA. Many women with postpartum anxiety disorder also feel very depressed and a fifth of women with PPD have panic attacks. Symptoms include excessive worrying, panic attacks, constant agitation, feeling that one is having a heart attack or dying, impossible to calm down, etc. Anxiety can come on quickly with no obvious stimuli. Occurs most commonly at bedtime, in the night and early morning. Addressing Postpartum Anxiety – Increase support! Seek professional support. (See addressing PPD) Postpartum psychosis/emergencies – These are very rare. Only 1% of mothers experience postpartum psychosis, but because the results are tragic, they are widely heard of. Delays in getting help can result in tragedy. Symptoms include hearing voices, feelings of actually wanting to hurt self or baby, feeling suicidal, not feeling in control of thoughts or behavior, no sleep at all in 48 hours or more. Addressing postpartum psychosis/emergency: Go to emergency room. 24 hour support for mother and baby. Mother should not be left alone with baby. Being alone with baby increases feelings of being out of control and irrational thoughts, as well as potential danger for both.