Postpartum Depression

An issue that women face when it comes to mental health issues that isn't talked about nearly enough is postpartum depression. It's important to keep people informed of what this issue is, and how to help yourself or your loved one who may be dealing with it. Join the conversation and reduce the stigma behind it. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Postpartum depression, or PPD, affects approximately one in eight women who give birth globally, making it a common complication of childbirth. I'm your host, Shalee, and I'm your co-host Sam. And you're listening to Pathway to Empowerment, where we believe in thriving, not surviving. Unfortunately, postpartum is one of those topics that people tend to shy away from. But we really don't want to have any stigma around anything mental health related or any topics surrounding women's health issues. So today we're going to open up the dialogue and talk about postpartum depression. Shelley, over half of women experiencing depression during or after pregnancy do not receive treatment. Why, in your opinion, why do you think that is? Do you think they don't know what signs to look for, or they're too embarrassed to reach out for help? They're afraid.

SPEAKER_00 1:09

What do you think that is? So I think there's a couple of different things that create the inability to reach out for help. Number one, we look at depression as something terrible overall. And number two, women tend to be told they're too much or not enough of. So if they're saying I have a problem with depression and they have a brand new baby, which is supposed to bring bring joy and love and all the the wonderful things in life, they feel they can feel very much like they don't fit or that there's something completely wrong with them. So they're not going to reach out. So it feels like shame. It's very much a shameful thing. But then also there's the financial factor. You know, we don't look at mental health as much of a need as a medical health issue. When if you think about it, a lot of our medical issues stem from our mental health issues. So it's this vicious cycle where women feel like they're stuck in never going to feel okay. And maybe there truly is something wrong with them, especially with postpartum depression, because a lot of times it creates this inability to really attach to this child because you're so depressed and you weren't like that before. So then you start thinking, is there truly something wrong with me? Am I not a good caregiver? Am I gonna be a terrible mom? Should this child really depend on me?

SPEAKER_01 2:50

Yeah, creates a loop of fear, of fear, shame. Yeah. So what are the warning signs or the differences between postpartum depression versus the baby blues?

SPEAKER_00 3:06

So really I would say that most women actually at some point in a pregnancy or after giving birth have what we term the baby blues, right? So the difference really is the intensity and the duration. So baby blues tend to be fairly mild. They can be they can be extreme at first because your hormones are fluctuating so greatly, but they're temporary mood swings that last around two weeks and resolve on their own. They really do like tend to go away once your hormones are back in more of alignment. Postpartum is more severe and it can be debilitating, lasting longer, stronger, and it typically requires treatment. It's always a good idea to keep communication with your doctor open, ask about anything, tell them about your concerns, tell them your symptoms that you have, share it with your the people in your life too, so that they have things that they can watch for. And anytime that your symptoms last longer than the two weeks or the baby blue period of time, make sure that you're going to seek help so that you can get on a treatment plan so that this doesn't become your life and derail you, and and then you start thinking that you're not a good mom or that you're not capable, or this baby, you know, doesn't deserve you? Yeah. Does that make sense?

SPEAKER_01 4:49

Fatigue is normal during that time. You're not getting very much sleep, you're adjusting, your body is healing. So how can somebody distinguish between the fatigue that's normal from having a new baby versus depression? Because a lot of the time depression is associated with like extreme fatigue.

SPEAKER_00 5:14

So again, like when you think about the extent of work that your body does not only during the nine months that you're you're creating this human being, but also then the extreme amount of pressure and tension that your body goes through delivering this little human. And then all of the the rush rush, because you're the caretaker now of this little human, that is a huge reason why we have fatigue, right? Our body has just ran a complete marathon of emotions, feelings, the medical issues that come with it, the after care that our body needs. So it's going to be fatigued. And we're we're not allowed the time to care for us because we now have to care for this little human that we created. So there's going to be a lot of fatigue. So the first few weeks after we bring this baby home can be extremely difficult because most of the time this baby's sleeping when when we're not able to sleep, because we still have to take care of other other things and duties and obligations that we have. And so that's why a lot of times we'll tell them sleep when the baby's sleeping, because you need it as much as the baby needs it. Like the baby's doing it to grow and and develop even more and and attune to its environment. You need it because your body just did years worth of work in a couple of hours, right? So your body is exhausted, you're exhausted. Fatigue is is really the key difference when we look at the signs of depression. When we when we're tired, we feel more down emotionally. So there's going that fatigue's going to be that key factor. You may have moodiness from the fatigue, you may have moodiness from lack of sleep, but you like we said, you still need to bond with baby, you still need to allow the baby to bond with you so that there's that secure attachment. And that takes a lot of work and a lot of emotional give, which also increases the fatigue and can feel very depressing because when you're still trying to do all these extra things, like we talked about, you still have all your daily tasks that you have to do. And heaven forbid you have other children. Now you've got to care for them, you've got to care for this new baby. And we know we've talked about this before, mothers put themselves at the bottom of the list. And when you're your body's already depleted from all that it's done in this short period of time, it can make it worse. So when you have other symptoms of depression, such as persistent sadness, worthlessness, difficulty bonding with the baby or yourself or others, that's a huge factor. Along with the symptoms we we should mention, such as mood swings, crying, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping, right? These all are potential for not only the extreme fatigue that we have, you also might experience the loss of interest. Like, because if you think about it, your body's been so worn down from everything you've done that you may not have any interest in doing anything you previously wanted to do. All you want to do is sleep and just kind of cocoon inside of yourself. There's also the inability to care for your baby. There may be, and this is something I think that is vital for everybody to understand about some of the symptoms, is there may be thoughts of possibly harming yourself and or the baby. And that is a huge part of postpartum that people get really terrified about wanting to even mention, like you asked earlier, about like who wants to say, you know what, I can't stand this baby. I want it to shut up and I just want to shake it until it stops, you know, or whatever else harmful thoughts they may have come into their mind about the the child. Does that make sense? And that is a very shameful thought to have. So why would you ever want to tell someone that you've had that thought? It's it's vital though that we do take note of this and also talk to our partner and our physician so that we can get on a regimented treatment plan so that we don't have those things happen anymore.

SPEAKER_01 10:44

So, what treatments are available? Therapy medication, is there medication that's safe while breastfeeding, lifestyle, like what can we do to thrive through postpartum?

SPEAKER_00 10:58

So thanks for asking that because a lot of times we don't know what to do, and we have certain thoughts about well, I can't take anything, so because I am breastfeeding. That is not the case. There are certain therapies that are really good. Cognitive behavior therapy is really great, interpersonal psychotherapy is really great. There's antidepressants, some SSRIs that are safe for nursing. You definitely need to have a support network. Join a group of moms that struggle with postpartum. Talk to your friends and your family members. Make sure that you have a therapist that you trust that you can talk through all of these thoughts and feelings. That they their job is to help you understand what you're going through, but also help you understand that you're not the only one that's ever had this these things happen, and also help you to find ways to you know integrate back into your life and integrate this new baby that you've spent nine months creating and want to enjoy.

SPEAKER_01 12:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:19

So building that enjoyment factor back into it as well. So those are some of those really good things, but then there's some lifestyle support changes that really are helpful to really get our neurotransmitters wrapped around things a little bit differently, and that is regular exercise, which is great for your body bouncing back, your your hormones being rebalanced, and those types of things. Yoga is really a great one. We do sound baths, sound baths are really great for that, but also there are in some really severe cases we've actually had some success with electrocompulsive therapy, and sometimes sometimes a little hospitalization is necessary too to get you back regulated and your hormones regulated so that you can actually you know get back to your norm and bonding with that baby.

SPEAKER_01 13:26

So you mentioned therapists. Are there therapists that specialize particularly specialize in postpartum depression?

SPEAKER_00 13:37

Yeah, there are several. I mean, the those therapists are going to have other modalities that they use and see other people as well. But yes, there's a lot of therapists who really do specialize in postpartum depression or PPD, right? And we want to make sure that when you're like when you're talking to a therapist, you ask if they've if they've done that before and and maybe ask, you know, what what they suggest is the best way for you to go about it so that you feel comfortable with them and knowing that they know what they're doing with postpartum depression.

SPEAKER_01 14:21

And you mentioned support groups. Is there support groups specifically for women who have postpartum?

SPEAKER_00 14:27

Yes. A lot of towns and cities across the United States that I'm aware of, I'm sure there are in other countries as well, but there are a lot of support groups that are specific for postpartum depression.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

I think there's some is there's some online resources.

SPEAKER_00 14:47

I'm sure that we have some that we can we can work with. There's there's always the crisis line that you can contact. There's always there's always some some ones that we can look at and look for in regards specifically to postpartum depression. So there's the support, you know, like the postpartum support international or PSI. That's a good one. They offer online support meetings, peer mentors, and they have a directory of specialists who maybe you can find for local to yourself. There's also the national maternal help hotline who also provides 24-7 confidential support, and I think for postpartum moms that can be the most important thing to remember.

SPEAKER_01 15:48

Yeah, the 24-7 is key because then you know when it hits, it hits, and it may not be a convenient business hour time. So that's that's important. How often should someone go for follow-up visits?

SPEAKER_00 16:06

Well, for follow-up visits for for their medical provider, most people start feeling better after three to four weeks. So you if you if you're noticing it, I would say within that first two weeks, monitor it. You know, we're gonna watch to see if it's just the baby blues or if it if it is more severe and it is postpartum. But after that two-week period, you're gonna want to go for that follow-up with your provider. The providers usually want you to be seen three to four weeks after you have given birth. But if you're noticing that after two weeks that you think your symptoms are getting worse, call and make an appointment then. Don't wait because there's so many things that can be prevented the sooner that you're seen.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

Yeah. So someone who actually does have postpartum, though, like does their doctor and therapist maybe work together, or is it just to specialize with your therapist, like how often you go?

SPEAKER_00 17:16

So, so the reality is if you sign what's called an ROI or a release of information, your providers can communicate back and forth so that your providers both are on the same page and know what's going well and not going well, because you're probably going to be seeing your therapist more than you see your medical provider. And if there's changes needed to your medication or your treatment plan that your medical provider has assigned for you, you'll want to make sure that there is that ROI or release of information in place so that your therapist and your medical provider can be in contact so you get the help sooner rather than later.

SPEAKER_01 18:05

If we have a loved one struggling with postpartum, what is the best way that we can support them?

SPEAKER_00 18:14

So, again, there's you know, there's the important thing is we need to make sure that we're not shaming them. We need to make sure that we're supporting them by giving them time to rest themselves, bonding with baby, taking taking care of mom and baby. Yeah, I think that part's key.

SPEAKER_01 18:36

Like offer practical specific help. Because I feel like for me, if somebody just says, Let me know if there's something I can do, I I will not say a word. I won't, I won't ask for help. So if somebody were to be like, hey, can I come over at what's a good time for me to come over and cook dinner? Or what's a good time for me to come over and help you do laundry or whatever, like specific help so that you're not saying, oh, just contact me if you need it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 19:08

The reality is we're not going to reach out for help, especially if we're having postpartum depression. We we need to be even more specific than that. We need to say, hey, I'm gonna drop dinner by what time do you typically eat? I'm gonna drop it by Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday this week. So know that your meal is is taken care of Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Oh, 6 30 works. It'll be there at 6 15. Right? So very, very specific. Hey, I know how hard it is to actually rest while baby's while baby's brand new. I'm gonna drop by Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and spend an hour and a half with baby so you can know baby's taken care of and you can go rest. Or hey, I know that it's embarrassing to actually need help and want help with cleaning your house, but I'm gonna take that off of your plate. So I I want to come at least once a week for the first month to take that off your plate so you can you can rejuvenate yourself. So be very specific and almost like step in knowing that they're gonna be like, no, no, no, that's okay. I got it. Because somebody that's struggling with postpartum doesn't want to feel like they're a burden, they don't want to feel like they're asking anything for themselves because that they're already feeling a lack of being okay. So the more specific you can be, the better off it will be. But also, like we talked about listening with no judgment, talking to them, finding out what their needs are without the shocked expression on your face, without feeling scared for the baby, because moms just need a listening ear too, and they need to know that they're safe, having a safe community to open up to, validating them and reassuring them is vital as well. And like we've talked about several times this time, making sure that they understand that they need to prioritize their sleep. Even if that, like we talked about a little bit too, even if they have other children, these moms with brand new babies, they need to rest. So, another thing we can ask is hey, like, what time is the busiest time for your little ones? Can I can I come get them for during that time so you don't have to wrestle with them as well as the new baby? You know, having that time to actually like just take care of you, just take care. Care of a new baby is also really vital.

SPEAKER_01 22:04

What is the risk of postpartum depression reoccurring for subsequent pregnancies?

SPEAKER_00 22:12

So the reality is that they actually have an elevated risk for reccurrence in later pregnancies. It's said that the risk is between 30 to 50 percent, while the general risk of PPD is about 10 to 15 percent. Women who experienced severe PPD requiring hospitalization have the highest risk of it recurring in later pregnancies. But there are also other risk factors to consider, though, such as a family history, high stress, a history of regular depression outside of pregnancy. But the good news here is that treatment is highly effective. So keeping in contact with your doctor and your therapist and going about your regular routine is going to be as vital as it comes. So just know that it is absolutely manageable when you actually manage it.

SPEAKER_02 23:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:27

Very good. Well, thank you for having this conversation with me today. Remember, supporting a loved one with postpartum depression requires consistent practical help, emotional validation, and encouragement. Just be there for them. Postpartum depression is a very real thing, and it is not their fault. It is not a personal failure in any way, shape, or form. It is a medical condition. There is no shame in asking for help. You are important, your feelings are valid, and your experience absolutely matters. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, reach out. There are support groups, there are people who can help and who want to help. There are hotlines available, as we've mentioned earlier, such as the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1833-852-6262. And the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. Join the conversation by clicking the link below and join us on Monday as we have a conversation about rediscovering your personal identity after becoming a mother. We'll see you next time.