My Baby's Smile. My Journey and Recovery Through Postpartum Depression

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Post Partum Depression: Information for husbands and families

http://www.pregnancy.org/article/post-partum-depression-information-husbands-and-families
Great article for Husbands and Families. Again I wish my husband knew about all of this when I was suffering PPD. He thought that I was nuts and that nothing was wrong with me. He would leave me at home crying. It was a very rough 6-8 months. He did not go to therapy with me. This article is so important because it discusses what you can DO to help the new mommy. Again, that is why I wrote my book, “My Baby’s Smile. My Journey and Recovery Through Postpartum Depression.” http://www.booklocker.com/books/3938.html I think that my husband and family did not understand what was going on and could not help me with the help that I needed. Again, great article from www.pregnancy.org

Friday, May 29, 2009

Vitamin and Depression

http://www.womentowomen.com/healthynutrition/vitamind.aspx
As a comment to my earlier post I was informed that vitamin D could also be linked to depression. I know that I knew it could help with fatigue, but this article from www.womentowomen.com touched on all the basis. I actually subsribe to their e-mails and they are very informative. Blog info can also be found on www.condron.us

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Brides against Breast Cancer

http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/#donategownGreat organization if you have a bridal gown, tiara, mother of the bride dress, etc to donate to this wonderful cause.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Diet and Depression

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/diet-recovery
Found this on www.webmd.com this also ties back to the things that I talked about regarding vitamins. Again, “we are what we eat” as the old saying goes. Someone once told me that you should not think of going on a diet, but you should eat like you would feed your child. That is so correct. I know that I watch everything that my 3 year old eats. He does not get candy (unless a special occassion), no soda, no cookies, only part juice in his cup with water, and among other things I also watch his carbs and bread intake. In fact his teacher remarks that on the days I send him to school with a sandwich he takes everything out of the bread and leaves it. I try to think about that when I am reaching for the cookie and thinking that I would not let my child eat it as it would be too much sugar and that would then effect his mood.
I must now try and put this into effect. I am taking the vitamins each day now, almost two weeks. I am getting my energy back, now I must start the “diet” and the exercise. Good Luck!

Postpartum Depression and another child?

Today I am just throwing a topic out there: If you suffered from postpartum depression did that effect your decision to have another child? After what I went through I swore that I would never have another child. Even before I was diagnosed with PPD of course the first thing that pops out of people’s mouths is ” so are you ready to have another one?” What ? I just had the first one. My first response was, ‘No.” I had a very traumatic birthing experience followed by insomnia, panic attacks, crying, etc. I had such an array of postpartum depression symptoms that I did not know what was wrong with me.

Even after going through therapy and taking medication I still feared that I would never be able to have another child. Even the thought of facing another c-section made me go into a panic. I thought that if I had to go through what I went through in my first delivery that I would certainly end up dying in the process. I think I even had someone say it was like I had post traumatic stress syndrome. Whatever the case may be I swore that I would never think of having another child. I had a perfect son and that would make me happy.

Only about 8 months ago, when my son was 2 1/2, I did start to think that maybe I would be able to have another child and get through it. Although at my age, now going to be 42, I am not sure if that would be possible. But I do think in the back of my mind that I would be able to handle it. I would notice the symptoms right off the bat if I feared something was wrong and like my therapist even stated, I could start medication right after the birth if I needed to.
So that is my question: How many of you out there that have suffered from PPD have had another child? If you did have another child, did you again suffer from postpartum depression? I would love to hear your stories on this as I could not find enough data in my search.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Postpartum Dads

Great link to click on for Dads! Once you click this link it will navigate you to several others and a variety of topics! Very useful information. I wish my husband new about all of the resources out there when I was suffering from PPD. Again, if you see any signs in your wife or significant other, please get them help and do not leave them feeling more alone.
https://home.comcast.net/~ddklinker/mysite2/Welcome_page.htm

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Postpartum wake-up call

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7VSk0Z6a8Y
Great video from www.postpartum.net

The importance of Exercise and Postpartum Depression

I know that when I was suffering from PPD and still did not know what was going on, my mother told me that I needed to get out of the house and start to walk. At first I thought she was crazy, I was suffering from really bad insomnia and thought to myself, how would I have the energy. However, once I started it felt nice to get out of the house. If I was up at 6 in the morning I took the baby and went walking. I starting going to nearby nature preserves and walked there. I would then ask my Mom to meet me there so that I would have someone to talk to on my walks. I know when you are suffering you are tired of the advice and just want to feel better, but looking back I now know all of the advice I was given was because it came from other women that had the experience and already went through if not PPD, but childbirth. That is my intent of writing each day. To let you know my experience and let you know that you can get through. Enjoy your day and get out and take a walk if you can!



Postpartum depression: can exercise help?
by Karen Nordahl, MD
As printed in the Winter 2005-06 issue of Urbanbaby & Toddler magazine
You may have noticed that the subject of postpartum depression has made its way into the mainstream media.
Brooke Shields has written a book (which brought several of my own patients into the office), Oprah has discussed the issue, and although I do not agree with his comments, Tom Cruise did help publicize the condition.
But what does this all mean? How can you tell if you are depressed when you have little time for anything except for the care of your baby? You are not sleeping as well, not eating properly and at times overwhelmed by the new arrival. When does it get serious?
The 'baby blues' usually occur about the third day after delivery, and can last until the 10th day. The condition is characterized by tearfulness, anxiety, irritability, mood lability, increased sensitivity and fatigue. For most women the blues are short-lived, and usually resolve.
Some of the blues can be attributed to the isolation women experience during the early newborn period. It is important to ask for help when you need it, and do not try to be Supermom, at least not right away!
A group exercise program where you can be with other moms has been found to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of the baby blues. If there are no group classes in your area, you can try to create one with family, friends or prenatal class participants who may be interested.
Postpartum depression is a different matter entirely. Part of the difficulty in making the diagnosis is that so many of the symptoms of postpartum depression can be confused with the normal emotions surrounding birth. The symptoms of fatigue, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbance, and depressed mood often accompany the birth of a newborn. It is important as physicians to determine what is normal and what is not in the postpartum period. For example, a woman who worries excessively about her infant's weight gain two weeks after birth is normal. Worrying excessively about the same when your child is four months old and thriving is not.
If a diagnosis of postpartum depression has been confirmed, the standard treatment consists of medication and psychotherapy. Some early results from a study in Australia have suggested that a stroller walking program has helped alleviate the symptoms of postpartum depression when combined with medical and psychotherapy.
So what does this all mean? If you are feeling sad and depressed for a prolonged period after birth (after the first two weeks) talk to your doctor or midwife. You may not have postpartum depression at this stage, but you may be at risk for the condition. Your doctor will likely advise you to increase your support network (if possible), start some type of exercise program (this can be a simple walk outside with the stroller for ten minutes per day) and recheck with her in a few weeks.
If you or your family members are concerned about the possibility of postpartum depression, check with your doctor. Remember, is it sometimes very hard to sort out what is normal and what is not, so do not be afraid to task for help. Medication and/or psychotherapy are the mainstays of treatment, but an exercise program may help reduce the duration of your symptoms.
The workout below gives you an example of what may help.
Walking Program
Start walking 10 minutes per day with your baby in a stroller, watch your posture, and remember to do your Kegel and core exercises.
Increase by one minute per day until you reach 40 to 60 minutes.
Take one day off per week, and add some variety by pool walking or using a treadmill or exercise bike.
Dress yourself (and your baby) warmly for the elements.
Vary your walking route to avoid boredom, choose smooth, well-lit, open areas.
Wear comfortable walking shoes or running shoes with good shock absorption.
Web resource: www.wellmother.com: An excellent website developed by Vancouver's own postpartum depression expert, Dr. Shaila Misri.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Iron and Depression

In my journey to post information on vitamins. I was on http://anemia.org/They have a three part series of articles following women through menstrual bleeding. pregnancy, childbirth and then ending the series on postpartum depression.

I was screened for anemia when I was pregnant, just like every other woman, I was very anemic. Not only was I still taking my prenatal vitamin, but I was also put on a prescription iron supplement. I again have started on my vitamin regime, including iron, I will update you all in a few weeks to let you know if I start feeling better. I know eating well has a lot to do with it as well, but not being a meat eater, I know that does not help.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Overcoming Depression and Vitamin C

Again in my quest to update on all the ways vitamins can help in depression, here is one on vitamin C. I again have started on my vitamin regime again and hope to regain energy and of course, stop getting sick all the time.

Overcoming Depression
by Hugh D. Riordan, M.D.
Depression affects about 17 to 19 million American adults each year. We take a somewhat different approach to depression at The Center.
It is possible to become depressed because of the lack of a sufficient amount of a single trace element.
Did you know every medical text book, at least up until a few years ago, indicated that one of the most common effects of inadequate vitamin C is depression? We very seldom go to a psychiatrist who measures our vitamin C level.
Many years ago, I had a lady who was a teacher and she was profoundly depressed. She had three years of psychotherapy prior to coming to The Center. She had profound fatigue and was barely able to function at all. Our testing revealed she had no detectable vitamin C, so we gave her 500 milligrams of vitamin C a day-not very much by our standards.
In a couple of weeks, she thought a miracle had occurred. No miracle had occurred. She was low on vitamin C and depression is the natural consequence of that. She had very good insurance. A psychotherapist could have seen her every week for two years and the i nsurance company would have paid the entire bill. Our bill was for two office calls and three vitamin C levels. The company would not pay because vitamin C had nothing to do with depression, according to their payment schedule. If you are depressed, vitamin C is worth considering.
In studies at two area health care centers, 30% of new admissions with a diagnosis of depression had low plasma vitamin C levels. Actually, we did this study a number of years ago and found that if you took a hundred people who are depressed without checking their level and gave them all vitamin C, 30% would get better. Statistically that would be below the placebo level. That is why it is important to separate out the 30% from the large group, so the people who are low in vitamin C will obviously respond more to the vitamin C than the people who are not.
Of course, man and woman does not live by vitamin C alone. It is possible to become depressed because of the lack of a sufficient amount of a single trace element. The following is from an audio tape of a person who had this problem:
"I was getting more depressed. I had two grand babies coming at the end of July and I didn't want to see them. That's rather odd for a grandmother. I knew I wasn't up to helping my children with their children. I knew I had to teach. We needed the income. I never got any sleep and I wasn't worrying about my students. I teach learning disabled students. I love my job. I just didn't feel up to it and I knew something was wrong.
"I tried hypnosis to no avail. I tried several psychiatrists. I responded completely opposite of what the medication I took was supposed to do. One psychiatrist knew enough to send me to The Center.
'This wasn't just a light depression. It was an inability to cope with life, inability to enjoy my family. We couldn't go out to dinner because I was allergic to so many foods.
The thing that changed my life was calling back The Center and letting them know that I wasn't feeling any better. They decided to give me double the amount of liquid zinc. Dr. Riordan told me how to take it. Instead of having it in a whole lot of water, I just had a smidgen of water. In two day's time when I had double the zinc, my husband said he had a new wife and he wasn't sure he could cope with me.
"We even brought my daughter here who is severely depressed and we know she will get help. She has some of the same nutrient needs that I have but not the need for zinc. But we are all happy about the two new grand babies. I have even been able to do better with my students."
There were several important points mentioned in that little piece. One point is to measure what's going on. If you gave zinc to 100 people who are depressed, 99 are not going to do much with that. In her case, zinc seemed to be her particular thing. It is very important to look at the individual biochemistry to see what is missing and what needs to be improved. Then you can do a great deal. She also indicated that she wasn't doing very well initially and that's why we have follow-up to seewhat'sgoingon.Herinitial zincwe knew was low and the initial amount we gave her was not sufficient to raise it to the level that she needed. Increasing her zinc was what eliminated her continued on page 3
Keep in mind that zinc is involved in at least 100 enzyme systems in the brain alone. So, it's a very important trace mineral. Certainly not the only one, but one that is worthy of consideration when brain tissue function is not optimum.
Serotonin tends to improve mood and promote relaxation. If you're going to do a study on serotonin, you need to collect the urine for 24 hours. The lab will inform you that avocados, pineapple, eggplant, plums, walnuts, and pregnancy are going to affect the serotonin level.
According to a study done in Great Britain, 80% of people with mood disorders noticed that food choices affected how they felt. The food you choose ‹ avocados, bananas, and some walnuts, should pick up your serotonin level and, thus, enhance how youfeel if you are depressed.
Sugar and alcohol are considered 'Tood stressors," according to a British study. In the same study, water, vegetables, fruit, and fish were considered "tood supporters." Actually, the researchers said water was number one for subjects wanting to improve how they felt. As we get older, one of the major problems is dehydration. When we were young, the ratio of water inside the cell to outside the cell is 1.2 to 1. There is more water inside the cell than there is outside. By the time we are 60, the ratio is 0.8 to 1. Even if you are drinking enough water, you are dehydrating all the time. So the goal is to drink sufficient water.
The incidence of depressive disorders varies throughout the world. Japan has the lowest incidence of depression as does Korea-2%. Taiwan has 3%. The USA has 7%, New Zealand has 11%, and France has 16%. It would appear that the dietary choices people make have somethingtodowithwhether or not they are depressed. Japanese and Koreans eat fish. The omega-3 fat in most fish manipulates brain chemicals in ways that boost mood. You can, of course, measure fatty acids to see what levels you have. If the brain is not working well, feed it what it needs!
Most people don't appreciate that food has something to do with how they feel. In addition to general responses to various food, adverse reactions to specific foods can lead to depression. The Center uses the cytotoxic test to detect adverse food reactions. This test is useful for people who have problems with brain fog or are not thinking well. The test is done by separating out the white cells and then mixing them with various food antigens. If the white blood cells are happy and healthy, that food is fine. If there's a kill off of white blood cells, then you have a positive cytotoxic test. Limiting cytotoxic foods can improve brain function.
Neurotransmitters are derived from amino acids, which can be measured in blood and urine. Abnormal amino acids can be corrected nutritionally which should improve neurotrans-mitter and brain function. Adequate amounts of fatty acids, which are in every cell membrane, can have a stabilizing effect on mood. The cells talk to each other through fatty acids in the membrane.
Inadequate thyroid function can lead to depression. One can measure a standard thyroid test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), or thyroxine (T4). We measure triiodothyronine (T3), which is the active hormone that gets into the cell.
Hormonal changes, such as low testosterone, have been shown to affect depression. The same thing is true with female hormonal imbalances.
Short term depression in response to unpleasant life events is normal and does not necessarily need an anti depressant. In our culture right now there is the notion that one should never feel depressed about anything. When certain things happen, you ought to feel depressed. If it is a short term thing, it usually doesn't need treatment.
People who are depressed have been shown to breathe less deeply than people who are not depressed. You can de-stress by deep breathing. Take five deep breaths and hold each for six seconds. Do this four times a day. This decreases tension. You have two sides of the nervous system, the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. All day long we are tensing up with whatever is going on and the autonomic nervous system tenses, too. It is like tightening a ratchet. When you take five deep breaths, it is like releasing the ratchet.
Exercise had been shown to be useful in eliminating depression. There are studies at the University of Wisconsin that show that getting people who are depressed to run in groups reduces the depression in about 85% of the people.
A psychologist said that we are all hit by the same hammer, so he made an interesting observation: "A person made three dolls‹one of porcelain, one of plastic, one of steel. If you hit all three with a hammer, the porcelain would smash into pieces, the plastic one would be dented, and the steel doll would give off a musical note." So, it is not the hammer but how you are made that makes a difference.
Eat well, drink water, and check your nutrient levels and you will be like the doll made of steel.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Need Help in Palm Beach County FL

http://211palmbeach.org/

You can also dial 211 for help from your phone.

Here is the link for the Help numbers in Palm Beach County FL as well.

Need Help in Broward County, FL

If you live in Broward County, Fl here are some important numbers you may need:
Call First Call for Help at 211 or (954) 537-0211
Kids Phone a Friend 954-390-0486
Behavorial Health 954-396-4636
Rape Crisie Line 954-761-RAPE
Women in Distress 954-761-1133
Depression after Delivery 1-800-944-4PPD
Domestic Violence Hotline 1-80-500-1119
Family Health line of Florida 1-800-451-BABY
Healthy Baby Information 1-800-451-BABY
Poison Control Information 1-800-222-1222
Broward Generel Lactation Center 954-468-5276
Broward Healthy Start Coalition 954-563-7583
La Leche League 954-574-6600
WIC/Nutrition Breastfeeding Helpline 954-467-4511
Center for Postpartum Adjustment 954-752-0460
Jewish Family Services 954-370-2140
Parent Help Line 800-FLA-LOVE
These are just a few numbers that I got from Broward Healthy Start Coalition. Please contact them if you need further assistance in Broward County.

Friday, May 15, 2009

The Importance of Calcium

http://health.discovery.com/centers/womens/calcium/calcium.html

As I have been stating in the previous days, vitamins play a very important role not only physically, but also for our emotional health. Yesterday I went back to Whole Foods again to start my vitamin regime. As I stated previously, when I was diagnosed with PPD not only was I taking medication, but my therapist also prescribed a vitamin regime for me as well. I was a loyal follower and took all my vitamins daily. However in the last year I have become lax. In paying the price for that I have been sick on a monthly basis and still have some anxiety. Today I put all of my new vitamins together and will start to take them all again: B complex, calcium, Omega 3, Iron, acidophilus, Vitamin C, and a Multi. I am actually trying a new multi, if it works better than most I will share!
Anyway, take your vitamins. I will get information on all hopefully within the week!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

How B Vitamins Work

I am going to try in the next few days to update my blog on vitamins. I have to say that I have stopped taking my vitamins on a regular basis in the last few months and I have been sick every month. Not only are vitamins good for you physically, but they are also good for your mental health. This article is too long for me to copy and paste, so here is the link:

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-b.htm

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Omega 3 and depression

As a follow up to yesterday, I did want to post some more information on vitamins. Today I picked Omega 3. This article was taken from ezinearticles.com Again, I think if we research certain vitamins and supplements we can see how they interact with different organs in our body and how we can help ourselves with some natural methods even if we are on a prescription medication for depression as well. I will try to find information on different vitamins and how they can help in depression.
Did you know that omega 3 helps depression? Whether the cause is from chronic pain or simply from chemical imbalances and emotional strain, this amazing fatty acid can do wonders for treating this encumbering mental disorder.
How does omega 3 help depression?
Omega 3 fatty acids benefit mental health in general. This is because, out of the 60% of fatty acids that make up brain matter, omega 3 acids take up 40% of those acids. This typically results in your brain working faster and more efficiently than it would were it to lack omega 3 fats.
These fatty acids also result in stronger, healthier brain cells as these acids work to strengthen cell membranes. They also improve nerve response, resulting in better communication between the central nervous system and your brain.
Having a diet rich in omega 3 results in a lower risk of chemical imbalances in the brain, which can help significantly when it comes to treating depression, anxiety disorder, and other illnesses.
Sometimes depression is triggered from those who suffer from chronic pain or debilitating diseases such as ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, or strokes. In this case, omega 3 fats help in two ways: by battling the depression and easing the pain.
How is this possible?
What many don’t know is that omega 3 fats are also potent natural painkillers. Combined with a nutritious diet and physical therapy, they can be an enormous help when it comes to dealing with pain.
These fatty acids also give your immune system a natural boost, which is especially important if you’re suffering from depression. Studies show that patients suffering from depression tend to become sick easier and take much longer to recover.
In contrast, those who take omega 3 acids tend to be at lower risk for catching illnesses.
With this in mind, it’s easy to see how omega 3 help depression. However, it’s crucial that you choose the right source of this fatty acid to ensure that you’re getting the best possible product available.
Scientists agree that you can find the best source of omega 3 fats in fish oil capsules. However, not all fish oil is the best for the job.
For example, omega 3 fats have two important acids in them: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They are both essential fatty acids, which means that your body cannot manufacture them on its own.
However, out of these two, DHA is the most important. This is because DHA can actually convert into EPA if your body is lacking in it. DHA also has a higher impact on the body than EPA.
By making sure your fish oil capsules are rich in DHA, you will enjoy the benefits of the most potent, fast acting source available. Also make sure that your fish oil has been decontaminated through molecular distillation and produced in ester form to ensure maximum absorbability.
The important thing is to act immediately. Don’t let yourself suffer any more. Try omega 3 capsules today.
Jane L. Lawson is a long time user and passionate advocate of natural Omega 3 esters Visit her site now to discover cutting edge, pure fish oil products that she recommends after extensive research: http://www.omega3-health-guide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_L._Lawson

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Different ways to lessen depression...

http://www.northscottsdalewellness.com/doctor/chiropractor/10151S/scottsdale-chiropractor/sad.htm
After reading this article I have to agree on diet, vitamins and depression. The first thing that my therapist said to me on my first visit was, “You also need to take supplements.” When I was first diagnosed with PPD and I had my first therapy session, my therapist gave me a list of supplements to take. I immediately went to Whole Foods on my way home and bought what she told me I should be taking. I took the vitamins along with my medication.
I did take Omega-3, Vitamin B complex, calcium, Vitamin C and a multi vitamin. I think there were some more in there, but as of today I cannot remember all of them. I think that they helped due to the fact that if you learn how the vitamins work with your body you can get the whole picture of why you need them.
I also do believe in Chiropractic. If you are in the Scottsdale area, please look up Dr. Siegel and see how he can help you. If you also look at his website he also has other women related articles that you may find helpful.
Remember to get better you also must learn how to take care of yourself. I tend to forget that myself these days and as I put up these articles for everyone I realize I must start to again take care of myself like I did a few years ago. Not only is this good for you, but it also makes you a better Mommy!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Be on the lookout for Postpartum Depression

Q&A on PPD with Susan Hatters Friedman, MD, and Janelle Yates, OBG Management Senior Editor
I find this article interesting as it was posted on http://www.obgmanagement.com/. I do not know about any other women out there, but I know my doctor never asked me any questions at my check ups after my baby was born. I actually remember making comments to my ob/gyn and to my son's pediatrician that when they asked if the baby was sleeping I would comment back, "yes, he is sleeping, but it would be great if I can." Nobody ever picked up on any signs that I may have PPD.
The first time I went to my doctor not knowing what was wrong he wanted to give me medication, but he never said, "Hey you may have this and you may need help." I declined the medication because I did not think of myself as "depressed." He never explained any of the other signs or even asked me if I was experiencing them.
Even when I finally went back to him and I was an hysterical mess and I decided I needed the medication or I would lose my mind, he still never told me to seek therapy. I went on the internet the next day and went on http://www.postpartum.net/ and found help. I knew that I could not be on medication and not talk to anyone. Please know you also need to talk to someone.
This is why I wrote my book to help educate other women even if the doctors are not telling us the other signs of PPD. It is not just "depression." I hope it helps.

Invite! Book Reading...

Please join us in this event! I am so excited to be sharing my book with you all.


Pampered Pregger and Beyond
Providing online education to the perinatal mama and professional

Tiffani Lawton
Tiffani Lawton has invited you to the event 'Ginger Tea with Tiffani: Author's Tea with Beth Benoliel' on Pampered Pregger and Beyond!
Check out "Ginger Tea with Tiffani: Author's Tea with Beth Benoliel" on Pampered Pregger and BeyondTiffani Lawton

Time: October 15, 2009 from 10am to 10:30amLocation: Your Telephone!Organized By: Tiffani Lawton
Event Description:Beth is a full time mother of a 3 year old boy who runs her own business from her home in South Florida.Beth is the author of "My Baby's Smile. My Journey and Recovery Through Postpartum Depression"The book chronicles Beth's journey through PPD. It took four months before she was finally diagnosed, all the while suffering anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness, panic attacks and anorexia. With the support of a therapist and medication, Beth is a survivor.Beth will share excerpts from the chapter, Time to Face Facts.ESTCall 1-712-421-7475Conference Passcode: 241404
See more details and RSVP on Pampered Pregger and Beyond:http://www.pamperedpreggerandbeyond.com/events/event/show?id=2124691%3AEvent%3A10302&xgi=cTdFKz3

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Pampered Pregger and Beyond

Beth Benoliel's Page - Pampered Pregger and Beyond

Great site..I have also been following through my blog! Check it out.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

Today I decided I am going to take a day off of researching and just rejoice! To be happy that I am a mother and have a beautiful boy who will be turning 3 in just about 4 weeks. I waited my whole life for him and he has been the best miracle that could have ever been placed upon me. I waited 39 long years before I had him and it was worth the wait.

As any mother knows, that first time your baby looks at you you melt. I remember when my son was just weeks old I remember him looking up at me and just putting his little hand up on my chin, it made me melt. Each and everyday he just amazes me. The other day he just walked up to me and said, “Mommy, I love you!” I could not believe it. I picked him up and just hugged and kissed him. Each day is filled with a miracle. We need to stop and treasure each moment that we have with our children because the older they get we cannot get back those little precious moments.

I dread the day when he gets older and will not want to grab my face and say, “Mommy, can I have a kiss?” One day he will be turning to me and saying, “Mom, do not kiss me in public.” I truly dread that day.
So no matter what the age of your child..remember you are the mommy and forever will be the first love of their life. Someone sent me this e-mail today, I do not know where it came from or who wrote it, but I thought that I would post it and share it with you all.

“Your Mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore. She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well, she’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep . . . the colors of the rainbow . . . she is Christmas morning.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion: happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow . . . and all the while, hopes and prays you will only know the good feelings in life. She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space . . . not even death!” ~Unknown

Happy Mother’s Day! Have a great day all you mommies out there or all the mommies to be!

My Baby's Smile. My Journey and Recovery Through Postpartum Depression.

Book is also now listed on www.Ebay.com If ordered on Ebay it will be mailed out signed and with any other inscription that you may request. Again, I will be donated a portion of the proceeds of book sales to www.postpartum.net

Link on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170329781457&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F170329781457%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2773.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D170329781457%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_naf%3D1%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Friday, May 8, 2009

After a c-section

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/cesareansection/a/aftercsec.htm

Great article if you had or are having a c-section. I did have to have an emergency c-section and I was totally not prepared. I was not told to get up or walk around and I think that is why my recovery took so long. I think it took me about 6-8 weeks before I could actually walk at a normal rate. It has been almost three years and my scar still feels numb.

I was however able to keep my baby in my bed with me and breastfeed. The nurses did help me prop up pillows on my bed so that he could lie next to me. The funny thing is that I did get my husband to change all the diapers in the hospital since I did not get out of bed. Sorry that I missed all the good stuff in the first few days! (lol) Just more FYI that I wish I would not have known before.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Postpartum Depression. Frequently asked questions.

Great article from the State of NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. It asks and answers many questions concerning Postpartum Depression. Please take a look at it if you have questions that you are afraid to ask. Again, please consult your doctor if you feel you may be suffering from more than just ordinary "baby blues."

http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/postpartumdepression/healthcare-faq.shtml#q18

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Postpartum Depression and Your Baby

In my quest to understand PPD a little bit more since I suffered with the illness when my son was born and as I update my blog each day, I try to find new articles that cannot only help me to understand PPD, but to help others. I still am amazed when I read articles like the one posted that often refers to the biggest sign of PPD as not “bonding’ with your baby. Since PPD has so many different forms I think most people stereotype PPD as this being one of the biggest factors. Even though I was not diagnosed with PPD until my son was 4 months old, I never had the feeling of not wanting to be around him.

I did breastfeed him until he was four months old, I took him everywhere with me and I played with him all day long. Even though I was not myself and did not feel right, I never let it effect him in anyway. I knew I was his mother and it was my job to take care of him, love him, and make sure nothing would ever happen to him. I know that a lot of mother’s experience PPD and that they do not want to take care of their baby or be around them, I just wanted to share my experience and show that there are so many different signs of PPD that you may have one or many different ones.

That was the point of writing my book and telling my story. I always thought PPD was “depression.” I thought it was associated with hurting your child (due to news coverage) and again, not wanting to take care of your baby. However, PPD has many differents signs and forms. If you do not feel like yourself and it lasts longer that a few days, please contact your doctor for help, before it does effect you and your baby more than it has to.

Again, other signs to be aware of: depression, anxiety, insomnia, not being able to eat, crying, and being unhappy among a few more.

Postpartum depression and your baby

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/conditions-and-treatments/postpartum-depression/what-will-happen/postpartum-depression-and-your-baby.htm

Having postpartum depression is not your fault. But if you have it, it’s important to get help, both for your own sake and you baby’s. That’s because this illness can stop you from bonding properly with your baby and may affect your baby’s development. But the faster you get better, the less likely your baby is to have problems.
Research has shown that babies of mothers with postpartum depression may: 1 2

Source:Murray L, Cooper PJ.The impact of postpartum depression on child development.International Review of Psychiatry. 1996; 8: 55-63.
Not bond as closely with their mothers as the babies of mothers who don’t have postpartum depression
Have behavior problems, including crying a lot, being withdrawn or being demanding.
We can’t say that postpartum depression causes these problems. It is just that researchers see these problems more in babies whose mothers have postpartum depression. But if depression makes it hard for a woman to interact with her baby, doctors think it could affect how the child develops. 2
Researchers have also found that if you are depressed, you are less likely to: 3
Keep breastfeeding your baby
Show books to your baby
Play with or talk to your baby
Follow routines.
How long your depression lasts seems to matter. Women who recover from their depression by the time their baby is 6 months old relate better to their baby than women whose depression lasts longer.
Source:Campbell SB, Cohn JF, Meyers T.Depression in first-time mothers: mother-infant interaction and depression chronicity.Developmental Psychology. 1995; 31: 349-357.
And there is some evidence that later problems in children are most likely when their mother has depression that lasts a long time or depression that comes back, rather than postpartum depression alone. 5
4
Treatment can help improve your relationship with your baby. And it may help with your baby’s development. 6
Sources for the information on this page:
Martins C, Gaffan EA.Effects of early maternal depression on patterns of infant-mother attachment: a meta-analytic investigation.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2000; 41: 737-746.
Murray L, Cooper PJ.The impact of postpartum depression on child development.International Review of Psychiatry. 1996; 8: 55-63.
McLearn KT, Minkovitz CS, Strobino DM, et al.Maternal Depressive Symptoms at 2 to 4 Months Post Partum and Early Parenting Practices.Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2006; 160: 279-284.
Campbell SB, Cohn JF, Meyers T.Depression in first-time mothers: mother-infant interaction and depression chronicity.Developmental Psychology. 1995; 31: 349-357.
Goodman JH.Postpartum depression beyond the early postpartum period.Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. 2004; 33: 410-429.
Poobalan AS.Effects of treating postnatal depression on mother-infant interaction and child development: Systematic review.British Journal of Psychiatry. 2007; 191: 378-386.
This information was last updated on Mar 06, 2009
Source:Poobalan AS.Effects of treating postnatal depression on mother-infant interaction and child development: Systematic review.British Journal of Psychiatry. 2007; 191: 378-386.
Source:Goodman JH.Postpartum depression beyond the early postpartum period.Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. 2004; 33: 410-429.
Source:McLearn KT, Minkovitz CS, Strobino DM, et al.Maternal Depressive Symptoms at 2 to 4 Months Post Partum and Early Parenting Practices.Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2006; 160: 279-284.
Source:Murray L, Cooper PJ.The impact of postpartum depression on child development.International Review of Psychiatry. 1996; 8: 55-63.
Source:Martins C, Gaffan EA.Effects of early maternal depression on patterns of infant-mother attachment: a meta-analytic investigation.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2000; 41: 737-746

Monday, May 4, 2009

Free Book Excerpt--My Baby's Smile.....

http://www.freebookexcerpts.com/2009/04/15/my-babys-smile-my-journey-and-recovery-through-postpartum-depression-by-beth-ann-benoliel/

Postpartum Depression-Help in South Florida

http://www.postpartumsupport.com/director.htm

I found this wonderful support center on www.postpartum.net I have written about my experience with my counselor in my book. They really helped me in my time of need. If anyone needs help in South Florida, please contact them.

Again, a portion of the proceeds of my book will be donated to www.Postpartum.net as they helped me so much and they have such great information on the website. Please read my story and give to a great cause. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. I just want women to know that they are not alone and others are out there that understand what you are going through. There is also free excerpt of the book online if you click on the book cover listed in yesterday’s post.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

My Baby's Smile. My Journey and Recovery Through Postpartum Depression.


A portion of the proceeds of my book will be donated to http://www.postpartum.net/ They are the ones that I turned to in my time of need. I found a great counseling center in Coral Springs, FL and found a wonderful therapist.
Thanks for letting me share my story with you all. I hope to help.
http://www.booklocker.com/books/3938.html

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Hormone Level During Pregnancy May Link to Postpartum Depression

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202174820.htm

I just saw this article and thought it was interesting. We just have to wonder if doctors would do the blood work to screening.

Insomnia-one aspect of Postpartum Depression

Since there are many different signs of postpartum depression, when I had insomnia I still had no idea what was wrong with me. There were days that I would go without sleeping. All the books say, “Nap when the baby naps.” I however could not nap as well. I would lie awake in bed at night for hours while the baby slept next to me. At the time it never even occurred to me to look up insomnia to find out any of the causes or how to help myself. All I know is that with my anxiety and my insomnia I was feeling like I could fall over at any minute and die.

So I have decided to post some things on insomnia.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/insomnia/page8_em.htm

This is a great article on insomnia. It gives many different tips on how to help.

Also if you are looking for a natural cure I am posting a link to a chiropractor in Scottsdale, AZ. He has a link on his website on Insomnia and the natural ways in which to cure it. Look him up if you are in the area as I am sure he can help you.
http://www.northscottsdalewellness.com/doctor/chiropractor/389S/chiropractic-Scottsdale/sleep.htm

Again, see your doctor if any of your signs of postpartum depression do not improve. Sleep is so important and I did not realize it at the time. I think if I would have been able to sleep, my body would have also been able to heal faster from my c-section.

Friday, May 1, 2009

C-Section Recovery

http://www.csectionrecovery.com/faq.html

Since I did not know that I would be getting a c-section, it was an emergency, I was not prepared. I had read about c-sections in my baby books and knew what to expect for the procedure, but obviously I had no idea about the recovery. I do not want to go into the details of my c-section to scare anyone, as I have talked about it in my book, but the nurses never made me get out of bed and walk the halls. I was told after that it would have helped me in my recovery. I just thought that this would be good to post for anyone who may be getting a c-section and needs some tips on being prepared.
I also want to add that steps are a big problem and I did set up a place in my living room so that once I was downstairs I was down for the day! It helps-a lot!