Postpartum Progress

Australians Believe Postnatal Depression Is "Normal" Part of Motherhood

It's Postnatal Depression Week down under in Australia.  (For the uninitiated, postnatal depression is the "Queen's English" term for postpartum depression.) 

Beyondblue, the national depression initiative in Australia, conducted a survey to find out what Australians think about postnatal depression.  As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald:

"Most Australians mistakenly believe suffering depression is a normal part of pregnancy.

Researchers at the nation's depression initiative beyondblue are worried women experiencing antenatal or postnatal depression will be reluctant to get help if most people think it is part and parcel of motherhood.

Of the 733 men and women surveyed, more than half believe it is normal for women to feel depressed during pregnancy.

One quarter of respondents think postnatal depression does not require treatment and will go away on its own."

Beyondblue is working to ensure women realize that postnatal depression is a real illness that doesn't just go away without help, and also to make sure that women with these illnesses are identified by their physicians.  Australia's ABC Network reports that "... planning has begun for doctors across Australia to routinely screen women for depression during and after pregnancy.  Beyondblue psychologist Nicole Highet says New South Wales and Western Australia have already started routine screening and the program is set to be expanded nationwide."

Leading New Zealand Maternity Label Raises Money For Postnatal Depression

Back from the (freezing) beach and giving thanks to my sweet hubby for the awesome pre-40th birthday celebration with friends!  Now let's get back to work ...

Leading Australasian maternity wear company EGG held a fashion show in support of postnatal depression (PND) as reported by Thread:

"After hearing about the suicides of two mothers who suffered from PND, and realizing that there was an urgent need to assist in some way, EGG sponsored the production of a PND leaflet that is circulated to new mums, which aims to give them the information and ways to seek help should they feel they might be at risk, or suffering from, PND. Last night’s event was a further step in the relationship EGG have built with the Mental Health Foundation in supporting PND. Monies raised from a silent auction of sponsor’s products run during the evening will be donated to help the cause."

It's great that EGG is taking the lead on this, because apparently New Zealand provides no government funding to support women with postnatal depression.  Thanks EGG!

UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists Site Shares Short Documentary on Postnatal Depression

Check out this 5-minute documentary on postnatal depression from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the United Kingdom.  It's called "Over My Left Shoulder". 

Note: They mention treatment for postnatal depression in mother-baby units, which unfortunately we don't have in the US other than in Providence, RI at the Women & Infants Hospital.  We need more of them here in the US!

Compelling Piece on Postnatal Depression From Australia's "Insight"

Just watched a segment from the TV show "Insight" from Australia.  Very compelling piece featuring a man who lost his wife to postpartum depression (also known as postnatal depression or PND in Australia).  This was a very well-done segment and not sensationalized at all. 

You can watch it online by clicking the link above.  (Note:  Do not watch this if you're currently suffering.)

Louise Litis experienced PND after the birth of her first son, partially due to problems with breastfeeding.  She recovered.  After having her second child, they tried to make sure she had more support (cleaning lady, nanny once a week) and she seemed to be doing much better but still struggled with breastfeeding.  Her PND came back on, she attempted suicide but failed, then committed suicide while in a mother/baby unit.  Heartbreaking.

There are other segments about postnatal depression that were part of the show, including several mothers discussing their experiences (part 3), and you can watch those as well.

Additionally, the SBS website features organizations in Australia that help women with PND, including the Gidget Foundation, PANDA and Beyond Blue.

Chums4mums Connects Moms with Postnatal Depression in the UK

A UK magazine called Take A Break has created a program called Chums4mums that aims to help new mothers overcome postnatal depression (what we call postpartum depression here in the US) by making friends with other moms in their area.  More than 10,000 women have already registered on the Chums4mums website, and according to Nursing Times, Britain's National Health Service has officially adopted the project.  In September, health visitors, midwives and general practitioners will be sharing information on Chums4mums to patients.

Here's the piece that appeared in Take A Break launching the program.

For more on postnatal depression in the UK, click here.

Two Short & Sweet Videos About Postpartum Depression

I wanted to share with you some nice videos on the web today about postpartum depression.

The first comes from the BBC in the United Kingdom, and features a doctor discussing the basics of postnatal depression, as the Brits call it, quite nicely.  Check it out here. 

This next one is from a mom named Heidi Howes.  This is part one of three videos she's created to share her experience with postpartum depression.  In this one, I really like how she describes what it feels like as I think many of you will relate.  Check it out here.

And get ready for video from Postpartum Progress as well -- my Mother's Day present was a Flip Mino Ultra videocamera.  I'm getting the hang of it right now but excited to be able to share some video with you very soon!

Can Simple Blood Test Identify Women At Risk for PPD?

Hot off yesterday's presses ... which I guess would make it lukewarm at this point, but still very important ...

A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that a blood test may be able to identify women at risk for postpartum depression.

From Scientific American:

"We found a hormone that is produced by the placenta during pregnancy that is a good predictor of postpartum depression," says lead author Ilona Yim, a psychologist at the University of California in Irvine. Using blood tests to measure this hormone might one day help doctors identify mothers-to-be at risk for postpartum depression (PPD) ...

Yim and her colleagues followed 100 pregnant women in southern California throughout their pregnancies and for approximately nine weeks after their babies were born.

The researchers at five intervals tested their subjects' blood levels of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH), a hormone that normally climbs during pregnancy to prepare the body for birth and that they suspected might be linked to PPD.

About nine weeks after each woman delivered, the scientists asked each one to complete a survey on whether she had any PPD symptoms. The researchers discovered that the women who developed PPD all had a surge of pCRH on or around their 25th week of pregnancy; 75 percent of the 16 women identified with the condition had more than 56.86 picograms per milliliter of pCRH in their blood compared with only 24 percent of those who did not develop PPD.

Yim says she's optimistic that further research may confirm her findings and that pCRH may one day be used to predict postpartum depression."

It would be supremely fantastic if we could just take a blood test, find out we are at high risk for PPD, start whatever treatment program is indicated before PPD ever arises and prevent the damn nightmare from occurring in the first place.  Prevention, prevention, prevention!

From Snapping Out of It to Admitting How We Really Feel About Motherhood

Thank God for Warrior Moms who share their pain and confusion with others, so that we might all know that we are not alone.

This is a very brave post from Beyond Postpartum about what it's really like to be a mom -- how we thought we'd feel and how we often really feel but don't want to admit lest others think we're bad mothers...

Natalie Dombrowski (who I met in Chicago at the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling conference) shares her story with her local newspaper ...

The mom at My Journey Through Postpartum Depression writes about how people who have never had PPD just expect us to "snap out of it" ... Grrrrrrr, that makes my blood boil ... let's reach out to her a give her a Warrior Mom Virtual Hug ...

Erin at the Fierce Beagle (note: it takes a while until she gets to the part about PPD)

Postpartum Depression & Anxiety: The Waiting Is the Hardest Part

I can't tell you how many women I've spoken to lately who are worried and upset by the setbacks they experience while recovering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  They have a string of good days and think they're finally getting better, and then they have a terrible day and feel that all is lost.  It's heartbreaking.

I know exactly how they feel.  I can remember starting to feel better after beginning my treatment.  I'd have a few good days and begin to glimpse peace.  I'd feel like I was turning the corner.  I'd have a sliver of hope, for goodness sake.  And then -- SLAM! -- the sadness, anxiety, misery and guilt would flood back over me.  I'd think to myself, "Of course.  How could I have been so foolish?  I knew I'd never get better.  I'll never be me again."  I'd be crushed with disappointment, and angry for even thinking I could ever get back to my old self.

I did get better, though.  In fact, I'd venture to say that the me who came out of my experience with postpartum OCD is even better than the me who went in.   It took a while, but that's the deal unfortunately.  Recovery from these illnesses is a process.  I wish it was like bronchitis or strep throat:  Call doctor.  Go to appointment.  Get prescription.  Take 1 pill twice a day with food.  10 days later, all better.  It isn't.  It can be scary to hear that, but it's better to know what to expect so that you can be patient with yourself.   

We all start out with more bad days than good, or perhaps even all bad days.  Then you have a few good ones here and there.  Then you start having more good days than bad.  Then one day you realize you've had only good days, for a long time, and you have this slow and cautious realization that maybe the sun has come out for good.

In the meantime, don't let bad days define you or defeat you.  It's okay to have them, and to feel the bad feelings.  Just don't let them convince you that the progress you've made up 'til now is gone.  You're still moving forward, even on bad days.  Just continue to do the things you need to do to take care of yourself.   

There is one thing you can do to help your recovery process along:  Don't take it over as though you are a healthcare provider.  The first time you feel better, don't decide to quit your meds (if you're taking them) cold turkey, or quit seeing your therapist (if you're seeing one) cold turkey, or quit asking for help or taking care of yourself or following whatever method of treatment you and your doctor have decided to follow.  This could impede your progress.  I know lots of people who decide they know better than their healthcare providers, and so they start making decisions as to what they should and shouldn't be doing without the counsel of trained professionals.  I don't think that's a good idea. 

If you feel like the professional you're working with isn't helping you or hearing you, that's different.  It's okay to go out and find another one.  But if you like the one you're with, don't ignore your physician's advice just because you've started feeling better, or because you've bought into the false belief that you should be over this by now, or because you've bought into the false belief that you should be able to get over this all on your own.  There is no set timetable for recovering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. And there is no law of nature that states that you're a better person if you can get over it all by yourself.  No one can get through life on their own without help, regardless of whether they're ill or not.  We all need support at some point.  It just happens to be your turn.

In the meantime, try and accept that you're moving in the right direction, even if you have a bad day.  Try and find inspiration and patience in your faith, or in music and literature, or in nature, or in speaking with women who have long since recovered, who know how you're feeling and who know you can get better. 

We know how hard it is to wait for the clouds to lift.  We know that there are ups and downs, and that it can take a while.  We'll wait with you.  You're worth it. 

How to Use Postpartum Progress

You may be a new Warrior Mom who has just found Postpartum Progress, or someone who has been reading for a while but wants to learn about the various resources available in this blog.  You may have just been diagnosed, or be worried that you may have postpartum depression or a related illness.  Or, you may be a pediatrician, obstetrician, social worker or other clinician who works with moms and moms-to-be.  This blog is for all of you, and this page will help you find your way around.

Postpartum Progress is a blog about postpartum depression and related illnesses intended to provide hope and comfort to the women who suffer, as well as the people who care for them (family, friends, healthcare providers).  It features news, the latest research, a list of support groups around the country, stories from moms and fellow sufferers, and links to major support organizations and treatment programs. 

Below is an outline of some of Postpartum Progress' key features.

For Moms-to-Be & New Moms:

If you have been diagnosed, or think you may be suffering, from postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, postpartum panic disorder, postpartum PTSD, postpartum psychosis or antepartum anxiety or depression, welcome.  I'm really glad to meet you.  I hope you will find a kindred spirit in this blog.

I cover every illness in the perinatal mood and anxiety disorder spectrum, so no matter what you're going through I hope you can find something here that gives you knowledge and comfort.

The "Help Is Here" section (on the right hand side of your screen, underneath the "Welcome" section) includes several important resources: 

• the "What's Wrong With Me?" description of all perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including risk factors and symptoms
• a list of support groups around the U.S. and Canada
• a list of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder treatment programs in the U.S. and Canada, and
• a list of state and national organizations that offer a wide variety of local resources, services and information.  All of these may be helpful to you on your journey to recovery.  (Please note:  Many of these organizations and groups have "postpartum" or "postpartum depression" in the name, but that doesn't mean they don't serve women with other illnesses.  In fact, they are usually knowledgable of all illnesses across the spectrum and offer support services to everyone.  It's just that postpartum depression is the most widely known of all the illnesses, so that's the name they use.   The proper term for the entire spectrum is "perinatal mood and anxiety disorders" -- that pretty much covers us all.)

Surviving & Thriving Mothers Photo Album -- This fabulous photo album can be found on the right hand side of the home page screen, directly underneath "Help is Here" and above Readers' Favorites.  It features photos of women who have survived perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and their children.  I hope it serves as an inspiration to everyone going through one of these illness by showing that, with treatment, you can be a happy and healthy mom.  I look forward to adding your photo as well.  If you'd like to participate, email me a jpeg to stonecallis@msn.com, along with info on which illness you suffered, what year, and in which state you live.  I use only your first name and last initial.

If you're looking for specific information on a particular topic related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, check out the Categories section further down on the left of your screen.  We cover it all here, from Birth Trauma and Breastfeeding to Infertility and Intrusive Thoughts and everything in between.

The Readers' Favorites section (further down on the right hand side of your screen) includes links to the most popular posts I've ever written, based on reader feedback.  These were the ones that struck a nerve or have been most helpful or comforting.  I hope you'll feel the same way about them. 

Read Up (even further down on the right hand side) features a wide variety of books on our illnesses.  If you click on the book, it will take you directly to Amazon.com where you can learn about it, read reviews, and purchase it if you so choose.

As many moms do, you are also welcome to email me if you want to reach out, at stonecallis@msn.com.

For Healthcare Pros:

If you look in the Help Is Here section on the right hand side, you'll see a link to the Tools for Professionals page with a bit of helpful info specifically for you.  Check it out.  Plus, nearly every week I'm posting info on new research and on events that may be of interest to you.  To find them, scroll down the left hand side of Postpartum Progress until you see the Categories section. 
Some categories that may be of particular interest to clinicians:  Research, Obstetricians, Pediatricians, Effects on Children, Screening and Education & Training. 

If you are hospital that has created a special PPD program, someone with a support group or event related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or a researcher looking for participants or announcing research results, please send your news to postpartumprogress@gmail.com so that we can cover it here.

For everyone:

I've created a series called Six Things.  You can find it on the left of your screen, directly underneath my picture.  These brief Microsoft Word documents are a "quick and dirty" way to let people know what I believe are some important things to understand about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, which include depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the 12 months postpartum.  If you or someone you know has time to read nothing else, hopefully these Six Things lists will help give you and those who care for you some clarity as you grapple with these illnesses.   

You can Search the entire blog with the search function (powered by Ligit).  It is on the left side of the blog, directly under the subscriber box.  Just type in the topic you're looking for (just like you would if you were searching on Google), and click search and it will take you to a list of posts from Postpartum Progress about that topic.

Home Delivery (on the left hand side, underneath Six Things) allows you to be a regular subscriber to Postpartum Progress.  Just enter your email address and click "Subscribe me!", and you're a subscriber via Feedblitz.  What does this mean?  In the morning, you will receive an email in your inbox with links to each post that I have written the previous day.  This way you always know what's going on without having to remember to visit the Postpartum Progress site every day.  FYI -- I have never, EVER shared the list of subscribers with anyone, so you won't be receiving unwanted email from anyone else.  Also, if you should ever decide you don't want to receive the emails any more, you can easily unsubscribe.

The Listed On section (further down on the left) is simply a list of some of the places on the web that feature Postpartum Progress or have highly ranked it among all internet health sites.  I'm very proud of those associations and happy to display my "blog bling".

I welcome comments on the posts I write.  Just click on the little "comments" link that can be found at the bottom of each post and let me know what you think, or if you disagree, or have a different idea.  And if you have a news tip or story idea, please email me at stonecallis@msn.com.  It is important to note that all commenters on this site are by default considered as non-medical professionals.  If you are a health professional and decide to offer medical information as a commenter, your status as a medical professional must be identified.  If you do make any medical claims, you must offer references or links to material(s) that would support those claims.  It is the policy of Postpartum Progress that all commenters behave at all times with respect and honesty. 

If for some reason you want to learn a little more about me, Katherine Stone, click on the About link and you'll probably get more info than you ever needed to know.  It's underneath my picture.  Just remember, I am not a healthcare professional.  I am simply a mom who has been through this.  Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice.  Postpartum Progress exists to provide peer support.

Again, I hope you find Postpartum Progress helpful and I'm really glad you are here.  God bless you.

P.S.  The Swiper, No Swiping! section (a reference to Dora the Explorer for those of you who don't know) on the left hand side of the blog is a reminder that Postpartum Progress has a creative commons copyright.  You may reprint the original content in this blog with permission, but it must not be altered in any way, and must be attributed to Postpartum Progress/Katherine Stone at http://postpartumprogress.typepad.com.

updated March 10, 2009

Adding Canadian Support Groups to List

To all you Canadian Warrior Moms out there, I'm adding support groups in Canada to my support group page.  So if you have one you'd like me to list, send me info on what city, day and time, location and contact name and number.  Email me at stonecallis@msn.com.

Mother Reach Receives Grant to Help Mothers with Postpartum Depression

The Mother Reach London and Middlesex Coalition in Ontario, Canada, received a provincial grant this week that will help it continue to educate, support and care for those experiencing, or at risk for developing, postpartum depression.

With new mothers and young families on hand, Denis Gadwa from the Ontario Trillium Foundation announced a $55,000 grant that will allow the coalition to carry on its weekly drop-in services for the next two years.

The local coalition was formed in an effort to create a caring community where women at risk for, or dealing with, postpartum depression could access resources and treatment to help them manage the illness effectively.

"Because of the generous financial support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the drop-in centre will be able to continue its vital services in our community," said Laura Dueck, public health nurse and co-chair of the Mother Reach London and Middlesex coalition. "Women receive the support they need to achieve optimal health for themselves, their children and their family. Ultimately, this benefits our whole community."

The Mother Reach London and Middlesex Coalition is made up of representatives from more than 20 local health and social service agencies and organizations, as well as members from the community.

The coalition operates free, two-hour drop-in sessions each week, where knowledgeable staff and volunteers provide helpful information and access to resources for mothers who are currently experiencing symptoms or those who may be at risk.

Drop-in sessions take place at the MAC Youth Centre, 366 Oxford St. E., Suite 201 London, Thursdays between 1 and 3 p.m. Free childcare is also provided on-site during the drop-in sessions.

Canadian Researchers Argue For More Gender-Specific Research on Depression & Estrogen

In a study appearing in the October 2007 issue of the journal Biological Research for Nursing, women's health experts from the University of Alberta argue there is an urgent need for carefully designed, gender-specific research to better understand the relationship of female sex hormones to mood states and disorders.

“The reasons for the gender disparity in rates of depression are not completely understood,” says Kathy Hegadoren, the Canada Research Chair in Stress Disorders in Women at the University of Alberta.

“But there is growing evidence that estrogens have powerful effects beyond their role in reproduction—that they play a critical role in mood disorders in women—and this opens new avenues for research into the underlying biological mechanisms and treatment of depression.”

Estrogen can be used to treat various mood disturbances in women—such as perimenopausal, postmenopausal and postpartum depression—but the results of these treatments can be difficult to interpret because researchers are only beginning to recognize the complex interactions among estrogens, serotonin and mood.

“Right now, clinical use of sex-hormone therapies for the treatment of mood disorders is severely hampered by the inability to predict which women would respond well to such therapies,” explains study co-author and U of A nursing professor Gerri Lasiuk.

“Most animal studies looking at the causes of depression have been conducted with male animals and use chronic-stress models, which are assumed to be similar to depression.”

Hegadoren and Lasiuk’s study recognizes that multiple factors may be at play in the development of mood disturbances, with individual, psychosocial and environmental factors interacting in complicated ways to create differential vulnerability in women and men. But they also point out that the link to sex hormones is hard to deny.

“Previous research has found that, before puberty, the rates of mood and anxiety disorders are similar in boys and girls. It’s only after females begin menstrual function that a gender differential in mood disorders manifests itself. This, coupled with the observation that women appear to be especially vulnerable to mood disturbances during times of hormonal flux, certainly lends support to the claim that a relationship exists between sex hormones and mood,” says Hegadoren.

New PPD Awareness Campaign in Ontario, Canada

The province of Ontario in Canada has launched a new public awareness campaign on postpartum depression.  Here's some info from the Toronto Star:

"A new public awareness campaign launched this month is aimed at bringing the topic of postpartum mood disorders out of the closet to help struggling mothers ... find the support and treatment they need. And to let them know they aren't alone.

One of its slogans: 'Life with a new baby is not always what you expect.'

The campaign, launched by Best Start, an Ontario-government funded resource centre for mothers and young children, includes subway posters, shopping mall ads, television and radio clips, a 12-page brochure with information, strategies and resources for getting help, and a website (lifewithnewbaby.ca). Telehealth Ontario is also a partner, providing phone consultation and links to services and treatment for mothers needing help.

Hiltrud Dawson, health promotion consultant with Best Start, said several tragic deaths of women with postpartum mood disorders and their children over the past few years highlighted the need for more public information.

A survey by Leger Marketing last year showed that 80 percent of Canadians had heard of postpartum mood disorders, which affect one in five women and are treatable and in many cases preventable. But Dawson said there are still many misconceptions about the illness and many spouses and family members don't know what to do or how to seek help.

Campaign resources will help them distinguish the difference between 'baby blues' which affect most mothers but fade in a couple of weeks, and postpartum depression, which doesn't pass and can become debilitating. And it explains postpartum psychosis, a serious disorder that has generated headlines but is very rare, causing mothers to lose touch with reality and think about harming themselves and their babies."