Postpartum - Mansfield, TX

Please everyone, not to be picky, but "postpartum" is an adjective referring to the time right after birth. You cannot "suffer from postpartum" - there is no such thing. What you mean is "postpartum depression" or something similar.

And yes, PPD can start anytime within one year after the baby's birth.

I thought I had PPD after my son was born, but it was actually that my thyroid level was very off. Call your doctor please. Whatever it is, you need to be evaluated and treated so you can feel better. Good luck!

call your doctor to talk. After I had my twins (2 years ago) I was informed that PPD can show up anytime in the first year.

I was a PPD sufferer, big time. I didnt have the post pardom psychosis thankfully but I knew I was having PPD when I couldnt eat. I LOVE LOVE to eat and sadly its how I find comfort often. I couldnt eat because I felt so sad, hopeless and helpless that my stomach hurt. I would fall to the floor crying for NO reason and had major anxiety when I was left alone with the baby. I couldnt even leave the house without crying. I have suffered with depression off and on and knew these feelings werent right. I went and got medication about 4 weeks after delivery. This time, they are giving me zoloft seconds after delivery.

Call your OBGYN and make an appointment. I had it but early on and low level zoloft worked wonders.

Make and appointment soon. I suffered from it and did not get treatment until it was almost too late. I tried to handle it my self. I tried to tell my husband but he didnt understand. PPD is very serious. I never had feelings of harming my child just harming my self. I felt like I just wanted to disapear. They prescribed me Zoloft then Lexapro. It helped and when I had my second child they knew what to do. I later found out my mother had it and that it can be hereditary. It is better to be checked for it then to let it go on. Talk about how you feel it helps and if you dont have anyone to talk to Pray.

I'll pray for you. God Bless.

I have heard of sometimes the "new baby euphoria" leaving at a later time. You may just be depressed or your thyroid. Also, your son is getting to that age where its getting a bit harder than it was when he was a newborn(I go through phases like this) so you may just need to readjust your schedule to make life easier on yourself and your son. Doing things by yourself is def. helpful like a 2 hour "break" and if your still in the dumps go see your doc!

I got it about 2 to 3 months after having my twins. I ended up taking care of them all by myself day and night. They put my hubby on night shift 2 weeks after we got home from the hospital. The girls were crying and I was so stressed out and tired. I had pretty much been crying for 24 hours and I put only down way to roughly. I did notice that I did, and I called me doctor right away. She told me to pack the girls up and come in right that moment. I ened up having it for the next 2 to 2 1/2 years. I was on paxil and then lexapro. I would recommend zoloft thought. The side effects for the other was bad, and that's why I got off them.

Call your doctor, and make an apointment. If it's a good doctor, they should see you the same day you call. PDD is something you really want to mess with, and wait around. Good Luck, and if you need to talk.. drop me a line.

Go to your doctor and find out. I have no idea how long you can have PPD, but it's very real, and it's quite likely you've been suffering for longer than you think. I was diagnosed (I think; the whole time is sadly a giant blur) at around 3-4 months, and it was definitely past the time I'd be affected. If it's not PPD, you need to find out what is troubling you.

Good luck! Remember, you have to take care of yourself so you can take care of those sweeties.

The hormones in your body are very powerful. Seek a doctors care. There is no shame. Nobody is perfect and lets face it, if you needed insulin, wouldn,t you take it?

Postpartum is caused by a chemical imbalance in your body. It takes our bodies 9 months to build all of these chemicals and hormones for the pregnancy and then within a couple of hours the baby is out and our body is freaking out....trying to adjust to the fact that it is no longer pregnant. It is true that most mothers suffer from postpartum for only a few weeks to a few months. Mine did not hit until much later and my doctor told me that breast feeding can prolong it. Mine hit shortly after I stopped breastfeeding. Anyway, go see your doctor. I felt embarrassed so I tried to handle it myself and not tell anyone. Looking back, that was not a good idea and by the grace of God, my son and I made it through it. I agree with everyone....make an appointment with your doctor. Whether it is PP or thyroid, you need treatment asap. I wish you the best of luck! Keep us posted!

Go to the doctor. Postpartum depression can occur on such a spectrum, but there is no need to suffer.

I went throught PPD with my second child. I was given a low dose of Zoloft which helped even out my mood swings. I took it for a bout a year and than weaned myself off of it by slowly decreasing the amount I took over time. The meds helped me get a handle of the situtaion so I was able to better figure out how to deal with my stress unmedicated. I have found a lot of prayer and meditation works great.

Good luck. You are not alone.

J.,
If it is just a bad, then it goes away ... but if you feel bad...pretty constant, like you want to cry...that is postpartum. I would make an appointment with your OBGYN and let them know whats wrong. Medication will help. You may have to try a few different ones but it will help. Just make sure that you pay attention to the sideffects so that you will know if you need to stay on the one that is prescribed or try a new one.
I had postpartum with both of my children. I was able to pull myself out of it after my first child, but with my second (he is just a little over a year)... I still have my depression. I have learned how to cope with it and I have tried to stay postitive no matter how bad i feel,...but that doesnt work for everyone.

Good luck. I will keep you in my prayers.

I didn't think that I would suffer from Postpartum because I have never PMSed in my life. In fact, I didn't believe girls around me who did PMS, I thought they were using it as an excuse to be mean and angry. After I had my first child (probably at about 10 months) I started thinking things and feeling things that I really didn't understand or WANT to think and feel. My world finally came to a stand still where I did nothing but take care of the baby.... no cleaning, no cooking, nothing! I went to a counselor and got the help that I needed. It will make your life so much better just to understand what's going on!!! Hormones are a crazy, wonderful, horrible thing! I am not saying you definitely are suffering from it, but if you think you might be, PLEASE find out!!! You are not alone; you are NOT the only one! If you are not, than a trip to the doctor will suffice, but it you are, you will need help in some way.

On another note, I have been a part of the Allen Early Childhood PTA since 2003 and I really don't know how I would have made it without their support. I encourage you to check them out or any other moms group depending on where you live. Just being around other moms who are going through exactly the same thing you are can be incredibly helpful. Take care and good luck! C.

If you think it is postpartum, it probably is. You know yourself better than anyone. If you don't feel quite right, it is time to call the doctor. It is worth it and you will feel a thousand times better.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, why you're worried, and see if maybe you need additional resources.You might want to look into a new program at Arlington Memorial Hospital that deals with postpartum depression. The program includes cognitive behavioral group therapy, patient and family education, educational groups on women's issues, and treatment and discharge plans coordinated with referring clinicians and physicians. The program offers morning and evening programs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon or 6-9 p.m.

Good luck!

I got it with my first 5 years ago but I thought it was because of 5 days labour and a broken tail bone. The doctor recognised it - I was sad & tearful. My mother said I had manic times as well.. I don't remember. I didn't need meds that time.

After my daughter was born 3 years ago - good delivery etc - about 3 weeks into having her I felt at times I couldn't cope. By 7 weeks I had it full blown and thought I was going crazy... I had big mood swings, angry & tearful then I wouldn't do much of anything for days. After one of the manic ones my husband called my mother to come - she was 2 days flight away .. she helped hugely. The doctors put me on Zoloft - it helped 60% but I put on 30lbs in one month. after 6 months I went off it. But I wasn't completely better, I was still swollen in the morning (I thought that was the weight gain), I still had mood swings but more unhappy ones and I couldn't get up in the morning. 2 years on... I went to a thyroid doctor who diagnoised hypothyriod & as soon as I got on thyriod meds my life changed. The doctor said that I had classic signs of thyriod (shame the other doc didn't see them) because mothers will get managable postpartum the first time and the second it really kicks in..

My suggestion to you is to go to a doctor who understands and knows all these things - not just a GYN or MD. I have someone for you just off 635 & Mac Arthur, if you are interested send me a private email. Anyway all the best. I feel for you.

Hi J.. I suffered from it with my first son. I didn't realize that was what it was until I had ben dealing with it (trying to) for at least 8-9 months. But once I realized what was happening I talked about it with my family and my friends (they prayed with me and for me) and I got a book about it and educated myself on it. And I ended up dealing with it and OVERCOMING it without any medication. A little bit of excercise and a little bit of self-discipline in my thoughts arena.... Taking control over the negative thoughts and feelings and making a bold decision to be happy and smile even if that wasn't really how I was feeling at the moment. The escercise was awesome because it actually realeased chemicals in the brain that fights depression. And I'm talkin about throwin my kiddo in a stroller and walking around the block for like an hour--nothing vigorous (sp?). But I know how it feels to be out of control mentally and emotionally. But never underestimate the power of your mind and your own willpower to overcome! I hope that helps you. Please email me anytime!

Hi J.
I am so sorry you are feeling this way! I have four children and did have PPD after my second child. When I was suffering with it I would keep the blinds shut - would care for my two children but there was no joy, no pleasure - I was NOT ME. It was weird, I wouldnt talk to anyone. I just felt like there was a wet washcloth on me. My OB wasnt all that sympathetic, and I have since changed by the way, but I talked to my Gen Practitioner - he put me on Buspar for three months. I was back to my old self within days - and I woke up one day and felt like I didnt need the medicine anymore - and I didnt. It balanced me out very quickly and I am frustrated I didnt take it sooner - I suffered for almost a yr. I never did have bad bad thoughts - I just felt super sad and had no desire to do anything - yet I had everything to be happy about - you know? So I say see your Dr - you could be better in a matter of days!

J.,
I'm going through it right now. I had a little boy a little over 10 months ago and never had suffered severely w/ PPD, but I knew that my PMS (which wasn't really PMS...it was during my period) was much more severe than before I had my baby. Once I had a very good friend tell me that she had noticed a change in me, I knew it was time to talk to someone. I kinda knew that something was "up", but it was confirmation that a friend had noticed a difference. I did go to my GP and I got some meds and it has really helped. I feel much more like myself. I never have tried the more natural route and this is my first time to really suffer with PPD after a pregnancy, so I don't know the difference. But I'd definitely suggest going to talk to someone about how you're feeling.

Good luck!

I think that if you suspect you are; then you probably are suffering from depression. I would seek help; it certainly would not hurt. I went through a high with my second child. When we first brought her home, I was thrilled. I thought maybe I would want 7 more!! My husband was shocked b/c I had always said two kids and we already had toddler. Anyway, I went on a trip, danced around the room with my toddler; even my friends commented on how it didn't appear that I just had a baby. This only lasted about 3 weeks. All of a sudden, the 4th week I hit a wall. All I did was lay around, didn't feel like doing anything. Even my husband told me that I seemed depressed and didn't care about anything. I told him if it weren't for my kids, I probably would not be out of bed. I never had any bad thoughts about my babies or anything like that; however, I was kind of in a lull stage. I did eventually get out of it without seeking help. However, if you are having "bad" thoughts, I would seek help immediately.

It's kind of late to have PPD.... unless you've had another baby recently. It has to do with the chemical changes right after birth. It was awful when I had it. Not just a bad day feeling.

However, thyroid levels or low B levels can really make you depressed, so I'd have those checked out.

Also, alot of people are depressed right now. The economy sucks and everyone is worried about their jobs... so you might just be feeling that.

J.,

You seem to have a lot on your plate. Three kids and all. Do you have help? If not, don't presume that you should be able to simply "handle it." In my observational experience, most women with 3 kids are close to the edge much of the time. Learn to ask for help.

As far as PPD goes, hormone imbalance is also likely a culprit. Most women these days have hormone imbalance, which is largely due to poor nutrition, lack of sunshine, lack of sleep, stress of life, lack of exercise, too many toxins in the body, etc. For an official and competent evaluation, you might try Dr. Margaret Christensen www.christensencenter.com. If you can't get an appt, ask to be put on the waiting list.

If you go to your conventional ob/gyn, he or she will likely just prescribe drugs. This may be a short term option, though drugs are not intended or designed to actually heal anybody in the long run. Side effects are not to be underestimated. See www.mercola.com for more info on side effects of these psychotropic meds. Still, you may feel you need them short term. If you try to get healthier by addressing lifestyle issues mentioned above, however, you will feel much better over the long term.

Good luck!

The only way to really know is to get checked by a doctor. PPD can show up for 2 years after the birth of a child, so it is a possibility. I had lost a child to SIDS, so when I felt down with my next baby I thought it was just stress from the worry. I let it go for about a month, but I was miserable all the time. Everything was so much trouble, I couldn't be bothered to take care of myself. At the time I didn't notice how much I was letting things slip by, but then my husband got orders to deploy, and I knew I wouldn't cope for months on my own. I went to the doctor and was pretty quickly diagnosed, given Prozac, and felt alot better in under a week. It was not like a sudden change, things just started to feel a bit more like they used to. Good luck, and make sure you take care of yourself. You can't care for your child if you don't care for you.