Random thoughts

Thursday, January 10, 2008

So I am feeling much better these days. I have been dealing with postpartum depression. I have had it after the birth of each baby, but each time it has gotten worse. This last time was really bad. I dont really want to get into details but there were a lot of really dark days. I saw a few different doctors, tried medication. I did some research and learned about the benefits of Omega-3 as it relates to depression (see my link to Granite Scientific on the left). When we went to the La Leche League conference in October, we went to the postpartum depression seminar by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and she spoke a lot about the Omega-3's, which my midwife had given me to take before that.
Anyway, long story short - TMI coming for any men reading this - I got my period back. 8 months postpartum. At first I felt a little ripped off- I know other nursing mothers who dont get it for a year or more. But as soon as I got it, I felt so so much better. Its like my hormones suddenly shifted back to a more normal level. I still have rough days, like anyone. But nothing like what its been like the last several months.
It seems that when people hear your have PPD and are nursing, their first reaction is to tell you to stop nursing. I am not sure where this idea came from. I cant imagine the plummeting of prolactin and oxytocin helping. In fact, breastfeeding is documented to HELP postpartum depression. I think it comes from people assuming that you need a break and that is the only way to get it. But for me, and for many other nursing mothers, breastfeeding felt like the one good thing I had to offer at the time.
So here is my PSA - if you know a nursing mother, dont tell her to stop nursing if she is depressed. And also know that women are good at hiding PPD. From talking with friends and other women, I really believe that more women than not suffer from some level of PPD and hide it.