Postpartum Depression: Why Doesn't Anyone Talk About It?

on September 24, 2009 at 7:45 AM

I don't know anyone who has suffered postpartum depression. At least no one has told me they did. Yet, about 1 in 10 women who give birth suffer from it so it seems like I should know someone. Celebrities like Brooke Shields and Angie Harmon have talked publicly about it. Harmon recently told lilsugar that she experienced depression following the births of all three of her daughters, but that none of her friends ever talked about it with her until she brought it up.

Fortunately, researchers in Spain say they have come up with a way of detecting whether a new mom will suffer from postpartum depression. They can predict it just a few weeks after she gives birth, which is important because early diagnosis and early intervention can help prevent these moms from developing it. The researchers detected two things that reduced the risk of postpartum depression: older age and working during pregnancy.

Did you suffer from postpartum depression? Did you work while you were pregnant? Do you know anyone who has? Do you talk about it with other new moms? Why or why not?

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About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: health, postpartum recovery

Comments (7)

ethans_momma06

on Sep 24, 2009 at 1:18 PM

My mom had post partum after my little sister, she was close to 40. She was always open about it, and after birthing my own child she offered me tons of support and gave me a lot of adivce about what to look out for, what I should do if I started feeling bad, etc. etc. I didn't even have to ask... I think a lot more women should be made aware of PPD.

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daqulynn

on Sep 24, 2009 at 1:27 PM

I had postpartum after the births of both of my children. The first child was just a touch of the "baby blues" it passed quickly. However, my second child was born 3 months after Hurricane Rita devastated our area. There was a lot of stress during my last trimester and after his birth. I really feel like my postpartum depression was worse due to all of the stress I was dealing with on top of the new baby.

At my 2 week check-up I was talking to my OB and I just started bawling. She immediately wanted to prescribe me an antidepressant. But, since I was breastfeeding I refused. She told me that she would give me that if I continued to be depressed I would have to stop breastfeeding and start on an antidepressant. That was an eye opener for me and from that moment on I started asking for help with the baby and making sure I got plenty of sleep. Luckily, I pulled myself out and never went back.

I think more mothers should be open about this subject. It is something that affects most new mothers and there should be more support in our medical field about it!

fmchavez

on Sep 24, 2009 at 5:22 PM

No one talks about it because we want to look perfect not "crazy". If only we realized how much not talking about it holds us back from properly treating it.

nily

on Sep 24, 2009 at 6:43 PM

I had pospartum depresion and my DH family make it worse by saying I was fat after the baby. They put me nicknames like cow, pig, and others one day I got tired and insulted everyone (IT FELT GREAT) and i seek help with my hubby as support and now I'm fine happy and on a beautiful weight. The main clue here is to love, respect and help yourself. If you dont no one else will.

Nonmember comment from Joan

on Sep 25, 2009 at 2:46 AM

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is the most common forms of depression that needs to be treated promptly for the well-being of both mother and baby. If not treated on time, it can have dire effects on child's development. SSRIs function as mood enhancers by raising the brain’s usage of the neurotransmitter serotonin. But SSRI treatment is not recommended for those having seizure disorders or a past of mania inclusive of bipolar disorder. For more details on it, refer Postpartum Depression

websorceress

on Oct 21, 2009 at 3:01 AM

My daughter had horrible post partum, she didn't want much to do with the baby. Since she was living with me at the time, I took care of the baby while we waited for it pass, unfortunately, I had my own health problems but we survived it.

Honestly, it felt like an eternity but after about 3 months, it just disappeared. She refused to talk to the doctor about it, which we did argue about. Fortunately, it turned out ok but so many suffer for so much longer without proper help and treatment. It can be dangerous to just ignore it these days.

BTW Cafemom, thanks for using my pic for something so important :)