What You Should Know About Postpartum Depression

It’s only fair for us to share all of this stored up knowledge about what happens once the baby is born until they are a toddler! Below we tackle commonly asked Postpartum  Depression question from a new or soon-to-be parent. Chiming in to give her feedback is expert: Dr. Gina Lamb – Amato MD has oodles of professional experience with babies. Feel free to share and add your own input and personal experience with today’s topic, it’s good karma.

How to tell if you have Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is very common and presents in different ways depending on the mother. It’s normal for new mothers to feel emotional and tearful after giving birth. On one hand you feel exhilarated by the birth of your baby and on the other hand, you can be overcome by emotion and sadness despite your joy. If these emotional highs and lows continue after the first postpartum week there is a good chance you may have postpartum depression (PDD).

When Postpartum Depression begins

PDD may begin at your baby’s delivery lasting a few weeks to more than a year. PDD usually begins a month or two after delivery, until the first postpartum menses or until weaning. This is caused in a large part to fluctuating hormones. Women who have a history of PDD, depression, serious PMS, depression during their pregnancy and delivery or have a sick or challenging baby are more vulnerable to PDD.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

The symptoms of PDD are frequent crying, irritability, insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping all day), no appetite or increased appetite with constant eating, feelings of sadness and /or despair and / or hopelessness, lack of personal care, no interest in caring for yourself or the baby and excessive concerns about the baby.

When to seek PDD help

If PDD lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks you need to get professional help. You should contact your Obstetrician or Primary Care provider who will first screen for thyroid or other physical problems and then if all tests are negative give you a referral for a therapist who specializes in PDD. You may need an antidepressant to help manage the PDD. It is essential that you seek help as soon as possible for PDD as this can have a devastating impact on your relationship with your baby and your partner along with affecting your own physical and emotional health.

Please do not be afraid to reach out for help.

Expert: Dr. Gina Lamb – Amato MD

Gina is a general pediatrician and developmental pediatrician. She has a masters in child therapy and works with a child psychologist performing office and home consultation for newborns and parents, office and home developmental assessments, school consultations and parent-child playgroups where play and art along with baby massage and other techniques are used to help parents bond and support their child’s development. Formerly, Gina was the Director of Pediatric Special Medical Needs before she went into private practice where she cared for medically fragile infants and children. An Early Intervention Pediatrician for Early Intervention which assesses and treats infants from age zero to 3 years. She has extensive experience in Early Head Start programs which work with infants from prenatal to 3 years of age. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter.