Recent posts I have seen has made me wonder about these things , hope it's not redudant but my questions are a little different than previous.
First, I quit breast feeding my 14 month old about a month ago. The past couple weeks I have been pretty depressed & the only other way to describe it is that I have been a total b**** & making everyone in my house miserable, including the dog. So could this be Postpartum Depression, now that I'm not breast feeding? Will my Gyn think I'm crazy for going to them 14 months post baby with this problem?
Second, I have been taking the Mini-Pill, while breastfeeding & I would like to keep taking it . I have read that is OK to use as long as it is consistently taken the same time everyday. It hasn't given me any negative side effects that other pills have in the past. Has anyone taken this form of BC , while not BFing & did you avoid pregnancy while on it?
Thanks.
I don't think a Gyn will think you are crazy! It can be depressing anytime. I would definitely ask about it. You could just be feeling a bit disconnected and maybe sad/ angry you aren't breastfeeding anymore, and that is totally ok.At least you got to do it for so long!! Be happy you were one of the lucky moms that were able to breastfeed for that long.
I BF'd my first and tried to take the mini-pill half way through (baby was 6 months old). I turned DEMONIC with the mini-pill. I was taken off as soon as I told my doctor. She said it isn't right for everyone.
It is only one of the two hormones that are in the regular pill. It is a hormone and will affect your moods (just like PMS).
It could also be PPD, but my guess is that it is the pill. Now that you are no longer BF'ing, your hormones are shifting again and it sounds like you are off kilter. Talk to your Dr. ASAP, I bet she puts you on a regular pill and life will be good again. :)
I am still BF'ing my second and when she started to self wean and eat solids, my cycle changed completely.
It is amazing how much our bodies change for these little critters. :) Best of luck to you!
Oh man I was horrid when I first weaned my baby boy! I don't know if I was that way the first time around but the second I felt so irritable!! I think I even posted about it and a lot of ladies told me it was normal and would pass, and it is has :D Of course now I am pregnant again, holy cow! ;) Anyway, I would just give it a bit more time and try to take a deep breath when you feel annoyed bc it is honestly probably just you...been there! I got off the mini pill after breastfeeding the first bc I kept forgetting to take it for some reason after I weaned him...but I think it is fine to keep taking it, if you don't have side effects, I did so it was good to get off. Good luck, and hang in there!
NO, never feel stupid about getting help. I pretty positive PPD can occur over a year later. Better safe than sorry. Good luck to you!!
It is very common for women to feel depressed after weaning their child. It doesn't last but a few weeks, but it is very real. It is caused by changing hormones. I experienced it after weaning my first child at 15 months. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet with adequate protein and lower refined sugar and try to fit in exercise at least 3-4 times a week. Treat it a little like a bad case of PMS. As for the mini pill, it's not highly effective even when taken exactly as directed, so you might want to weigh your options especially if pregnancy would be an unwelcomed event. R., nurse midwife Mom of 3
You should definitely talk to your OBGYN or PCP about the feelings you are having. Never feel crazy for having those feelings.
Secondly, using the mini-pill as your only source of BC after no longer breastfeeding is not effective in my opinion (from experience). I somehow missed the "memo" that once you stop breastfeeding you should switch to a regular BC pill, and I got pregnant while using the mini-pill. It ended up being a tubal pregnancy. I would definitely talk to your OBGYN about various BC pills and get a professional medical opinion. I thought I was being so responsible taking it every day at the same time, but it obviously did not keep me from conceiving. Hope this helps!
I've watched several friends have some sort of ppd after weaning. It greatly affects your hormones. Seek help should you need it. You can even consider putting baby back on the breast to help.
I had 2-3 weeks of pretty serious depression when my first son started eating a lot of solids and cut way back on nursing. I was completely caught off guard and, like you, thought I was nuts! I kept crying for no reason and having all these thoughts that I was a horrible mother and was just doing everything wrong. Fortunately, I "leveled off" pretty quickly. I would definitely talk to your dr, a midwife, or even your local LLL leaders or other lactation consultant. Hope you feel better soon!
I am getting incredibly old-because what is the mini pill? Anyway-if your doctor thinks you are "crazy" for thinking that your hormones plummeted after breast feeding was stopped-go to the next one! That is entirely valid!
I had six children in 7.7 yrs-what the bleep is birth control?!
Dear mom, I wouldn't wean. If you don't have to, don't. If you still choose to do so, call your ob/gyn. Maybe the assistant or doctor can call you back with advise before you have to make an appt. But try to remember, that if you are still feeling horrible, your baby must be too. Good luck!
