Post Partum Depression

You have had a great pregnancy, with virtually no complication; except for your battle with nausea every morning the first trimester! Your pregnancy was exciting and the much anticipated arrival will have everything he or she needs due to generous baby shower gifts, and craigslist finds. Your pregnancy was great, and you were so happy to have you baby. A couple days later you come home from the hospital, and that's when it happens. You cry for no reason, you don't feel like an adequate mother, you can't eat and can't sleep for fear of not tending to the baby's needs. To you, life is over as you know it.

Today, approximately 70-80% of women suffer from what is known as the "baby blues" The baby blues is the most mild form of post partum depression. It normally starts 3-4 days after the baby is born and can last about 2-3 weeks. This form of depression does not need you to seek medical attention and does not require antidepressants. Most of the time the baby blues are do to hormonal changes happening in your body and the stress that comes with taking care of a new baby.

There are three other types of depression under the post partum depression umbrella, they are: Post Partum Anxiety, Post Partum Depression, and Post Partum Psychosis. I will be explaining about each in greater detail in upcoming posts.

For now, has anyone had the baby blues? If you feel comfortable, share your thoughts!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to deliver my baby?
This is totally up to you, and what you are most comfortable with. Women who have high-risk births would probably feel more comfortable with delivering from a hospital. However, women who want a more natural birth would probably feel the best at home. Where you want deliver has a lot to do with how you want to deliver.

What are the risks and benefits of a C-section?

According to the CDC, a C-section is counted as a major abdominal surgery, and classified as a maternal morbidity. A cesarean should not be your first option. It's important to remember that a woman's body is built for labor, and there is a good chance she can make it with out a cesarean. However, do not feel like a "failure" if you are not able to have your baby vaginally. If you have a high-risk delivery (i.e.-multiples), than a cesarean may be the best option for you. The important thing to realize is that a c-section is a MAJOR surgery, and the recovery time is longer than a vaginal birth. There are also some risk associated with cesareans for the mother and child. Mothers risks include: hemorrhaging, infection due to surgery, uterine rupture for the 2nd delivery, a more difficult time breastfeeding, and an increased risk of other major surgeries late in life such as: a hysterectomy, bladder repair, etc. A child's risks include: breathing problems then and later on in life, premature birth, and fetal injury (the surgeon can actually nick the baby while making the uterine incision).


How many women in the US die from childbirth?

We've come a long way since the 20th century with our motherhood mortality statistics. Today, less than 1 out of ever 2,500 women give birth by a cesarean die, and less than 1 out of ever 10,000 giving birth vaginally die. But compared to the rest of the developed world, we still have a long way to go.

What do the acronyms VBAC and UBAC stand for?

VBAC- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean UBAC- Unassisted Birth After Cesarean Many women are not allowed to have a vaginal birth after cesarean due to doctors worries about the risks involved. However, women go at great lengths to not have another cesarean. They will travel out of state to find a mid-wife who will deliver a VBAC, and if the can't find one, women will go as far as to deliver their babies by themselves at home.

What are the risks and benefits of pitocin and other synthetic hormones used to induce labor?

Pitocin is the synthetic form of Oxytocin used to induce labor. Pitocin is not fully like oxytocin because it make the contractions more strong and painful (according to several women who have had their babies with and without an induction). Inductions are on the rise for convenience purposes. But an induction using pitocin can also be used for hypertension, preeclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, or bleeding during pregnancy.

What is an episiotomy?

An episiotomy is an incision made between the vaginal opening and the anus (the body part is called the perineum) to prevent tearing during birth. An episotomy is painful, and can take a while to heal. Many people argue that tearing is better than an incision, because the body is very efficient at repairing tears. However, many OB/GYN's argue that a tear is not as easy to sew up as a straight cut is. Using a birthing stool (it looks like a chair with a hole in it) can help to stretch the perineum and prevent tearing. Also, not forcing the baby out of the vaginal canal quickly, and massaging the perineum can prevent tearing.

Should I save my baby's cord blood?

Yes! Cord blood is used in stem-cell research. It is know to help cure over 70 different types of diseases including: neurological problems and Juvenal diabetes. You can go to several Chord blood banks web-sites to find out how to ship, etc. http://www.cordblood.com/index.asp

How much does the average hospital labor and delivery costs?

The average cost is $7000-10,000 without insurance. So, it is important that you have insurance that covers the cost of your prenatal care and labor and delivery. If you can't afford the cost of the delivery and have no or little insurance, than you may be able to qualify for Medicaid. To see if you are eligible, you can go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidEligibility

What about a water birth?

Water births are viewed as a little too liberal or extreme, but a water birth can really help during the birthing process. A pool can be rented for around $300, so it's not very expensive. As the mother gives birth, the pool allows her to relax and gain mobility (which is central to the natural birthing process). A great website to find out more information about a water birth can be found at: http://www.waterbirth.org/

Doula?

Doula comes from the Greek word meaning "woman servant, or woman who serves" A doula does just that for you during you labor, delivery, and postpartum. Doulas provide physical and emotional support during such an important time. The are certified usually through Doulas of North America International. Doulas use techniques to help you relax as much as possible, and use techniques to assist you in having a natural birth.

Midwife?


Midwives and nurses who are certified to assist in the prenatal care and labor and delivery of infants. After nursing school they usually go to school for another two years to become a certified midwife. Midwives have a lower infant and mother mortality rate than babies delivered by an OB. However, midwives aren't even allowed to practice in some states. If your labor is high risk, you may want to have a midwife deliver your baby in the hospital with an OB and surgeon on staff in case anything happens. http://www.midwiferytoday.com/

OB?

OB's have the ability to preform cesareans and are trained very differently depending on the doctor. Some OB's train with doctors who use more natural methods, and some don't. It is important to sit down with your OB and talk about your birthing plan, his philosophy, and what he would do in a few given situations.