Resources

 

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family." -Elder M. Russell Ballard

Baby Blues: What's normal & what's not?

Baby Blues is NORMAL and ends by 2 weeks after birth

60-80% of new Mamas experience crying, feeling overwhelmed with Motherhood and feelings of uncertainty. These symptoms are MILD and peak 3-5 days after birth and last NO MORE than 2 weeks after birth. "With the milk come the tears".
WHY?
After birth, your body experiences a huge shift in hormones as Progesterone & Estrogen take a nose dive and Prolactin commands the show.
Hormone fluctuations coupled with physically recovering from labor & birth, possible anemia, and acute sleep deprivation can make for a tearful initiation into Motherhood.
HOW ARE THE BLUES DIFFERENT?
Although these mild symptoms are less than optimal when a Mama getting to know a new baby, the predominant mood of the Mother is happiness.

Depression During Pregnancy & Postpartum

If symptoms are NOT mild, the predominant mood is NOT happiness, and symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks after birth it is NOT just Baby Blues.

Depression Symptoms:
Sadness, crying
Unexplained physical complaints
Suicidal thoughts
Appetite changes
Sleep disturbances
Poor concentration/focus
Irritability & anger
Hopeless & helpless
Guilt & Shame
Feeling overwhelmed
Lack of feelings toward the baby
Inability to take care of self or family
Loss of interest, joy, or pleasure
Anxiety
Isolation
Mood swings
Feelings of worthlessness
"This doesn't feel like me."

Anxiety During Pregnancy & Postpartum

It's not JUST depression. Sometimes women feel anxiety alone or it can be coupled with depression.

Anxiety Symptoms:
Agitated
Inability to sit still
Excessive concern about the baby's or her own health
On high alert
Appetite changes, often with rapid weight loss
Sleep disturbances, hard to fall &/or stay asleep
Constant worry
Racing thoughts
Shortness of breath
Heart palpitations

Do you know 7 moms? Then you know at least 1 who had severe depression, anxiety or another mental health complication during her pregnancy or after her baby was born.

You can’t tell by looking at her.

So please, on behalf of moms and babies everywhere: ASK HER how she’s doing  ASK HER to tell you how she’s feeling.

Then LISTEN. 

Then TELL.

TELL HER you know she’s doing the best she can. TELL HER she’s a good mom. TELL HER that if she needs help, you will help her find it.

Then HELP. 

ALL THOUGH THE TERM “POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION” IS OFTEN USED, THERE IS ACTUALLY A SPECTRUM OF DISORDERS THAT CAN AFFECT MOTHERS DURING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM.

     These include:

  • Postpartum Depression Approximately 21% of women experience major or minor depression following childbirth.
  • Perinatal Panic Disorder A form of anxiety that occurs in up to 11% of new mothers.
  • Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder This is the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed of the perinatal mood disorders. It is estimated that as many as 11% of new mothers will experience it.
  • Perinatal Posttraumatic Stress Disorder An estimated 9% of women experience PTSD following birth.
  • Perinatal Bipolar Disorder Over 70% of women with bipolar disorder who stop their medication when pregnant become ill during the pregnancy. 22% of depressed postpartum women are suffering from a bipolar disorder.
  • Postpartum Psychosis Occurs in approximately 1 to 2 every 1,000 deliveries. The onset is usually sudden, most within the first 4 weeks. 

If YOU are suffering: Mama, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Perinatal Mood Disorders are so common yet are not talked about. Why? We live in a culture of misunderstanding and ignorance surrounding mental health + lack of woman centric medical care + unrealistic expectations of a postpartum woman (both physically and emotionally) + lack of vulnerability and trust/safety with peers = suffering in silence.

Women who develop depression or anxiety before birth, after birth, throughout the first years of Motherhood have symptoms that are caused by a combination of psychological, social, and biological stressors. Hormonal fluctuations cause reactions in sensitive women. Risk factors do include personal or family history of mood or anxiety disorders and sensitivity to hormonal changes. DEVELOPING A PERINATAL MOOD DISORDER IS NOT YOUR FAULT. You did nothing to “get” it.

Perinatal Depression and Mood Disorders can be experienced in varying degrees. Treatment looks different for each Mama but all include a focus on self-care and support. A professional Postpartum Doula is a great source of both. To learn more about Mind Body Mama’s Postpartum Doula care, visit http://www.mindbodymamatulsa.com/services/support/

Other treatments can include social support—phone, online, support group— seek out women who have been there, are safe and offer nonjudgmental understanding and encouragement. A counselor or therapist who understands perinatal mood disorders can be of great benefit. Finally, medications are available. Some Mamas respond best with a combination of therapies. Some take medication, some choose natural remedies, some diet and intentional gentle movement of their bodies, and some thrive in online support groups, others one on one with a counselor or spiritual practice and support. Each treatment plan is as unique as you are, there is no one-size-fits-all and none better than the other. The best treatment plan is one that takes your individual needs into account and that you feel respected and empowered with.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Postpartum Support International - www.postpartum.net   

PSI Warmline: (800) 944-4773(4PPD)  (English & Spanish)

Lactation & Medication (National Library of Medicine) - http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/lactmed.htm

Postpartum Dads - www.postpartumdads.org

Loss & Grief in Pregnancy and Postpartum - http://www.postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-pregnancy-postpartum/

FaceBook Pages & Groups:

Postpartum Support International  https://www.facebook.com/groups/25960478598/

Tulsa’s Pregnant & 4th Trimester Moms  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1325539377471861/

Tulsa Breastfeeding Support  https://www.facebook.com/groups/TulsaBreastfeedingSupport/

Postpartum Stress Center  https://www.facebook.com/postpartumstresscenter2/

Postpartum Support International  https://www.facebook.com/PostpartumSupportInternational/

Online Support Groups:

Weekly Live Group

https://www.supportgroupscentral.com/groups_detail_as.cfm?cid=17&CFID=40373224&CFTOKEN=8cd71bbdc2f85c09-B15DEFF5-D3F8-C78D-7088261AC32990F7

Chat Group Forum

http://postpartumdepression.yuku.com

LOCAL PHYSICIANS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Sarah Land  |  Mind Spa  |  7302 S. Yale Tulsa, OK |  (918) 591-2510  |  www.mindspaoklahoma.com  Psychiatry - Multi-drug therapy 

Dr. Aaron Pierce  |  OSU Medicine  |  Citiplex Towers  |  2448 E 81st St., Ste 3700, Tulsa, OK 74137  |  (918) 236-4000  |  https://www.osumedicine.com/physician?profile=158  Electro Convulsive Therapy

Dr. Michele Neil   |   Functional Medicine Institute   |   6048 South Sheridan Road Tulsa, OK 74145   |   (918) 748-3640   |   www.fmidr.com Hormone testing and holistic health approaches.

Dr. Paul Gehring   |   OB/GYN Specialists   |   Bernsen Medical Plaza   |   1919 South Wheeling Avenue Suite 700 Tulsa, OK 74104   | (918) 712-8700  Very sympathetic and understanding to postpartum mothers. Feels comfortable treating the disorder.

Dr. Dominic Losacco   |   Psychiatrist   |   6565 South Yale Ave. Suite 706 – Kelly Medical Building Tulsa, OK 74136-8308   |   (918) 491-5767   Psychiatry – specializes in PPMD. Treating the entirety of the illness with medication & talk therapy.

Dr. Nick Gould   |   South Tulsa Family Therapy   |   8596 East 101st Suite D Tulsa, OK 74137   |   (918) 693-1653 http://nickgouldfamilytherapy.com   Psychology - talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and insomnia help

Susan Bachman   |   Licensed Professional Counselor   |   Family Therapy & Renewal Center   |   8321 East 61st Street Suite #205 Tulsa, OK 74133   |   (918) 369-4950    Talk therapist - specializes in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma Focused CBT.  Comes highly recommended from moms with Postpartum PTSD.

Amy Brown   |   Licensed Professional Counselor   |   Southside Behavioral Health   |   124 N 1st Street Jenks, OK 74037   |   (918) 917-5107   Talk therapist and Mama. Strengths focus with endless positivity and encouragement

EMERGENCIES

COPES (Community Outreach Psychiatric Emergency Services)  (via Family & Children Services)

Telephone and mobile crisis outreach.    (918) 744-4800 - Available 24/7 

The COPES team will assess the level of risk, provide crisis support by phone and may go directly to the person in crisis to intervene and stabilize the situation.

Crisis Care Center (via Family & Children Services)

1055 South Houston Avenue, West Tulsa, OK 74127   |   (918) 744-4800

The Crisis Center provides psychiatric beds and mental health services 24/7.

 Laureate Psychiatric Clinic

6655 South Yale Tulsa, OK   |   (918) 491-3700 (8:30 am-4:30 pm)   |   (918) 481-4000 (after-hours and emergencies)

National Suicide Prevention

(800) 273-8255 (TALK)

 Oklahoma Department of Mental Health Crisis Hotline

(800) 522-9054