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Strollerderby
Problems breastfeeding can leave new moms feeling dejected and overwhelmed in their first days of motherhood. Sometimes, these blue feelings become full blown post-partum depression.
A new study finds that women who have trouble with breastfeeding are more likely to suffer from post-partum depression. While they’ve found a definite link between the two issues, they don’t know which way the causal relationship flows.
Are women becoming depressed because they’re struggling with breastfeeding, or are they having trouble nursing because they’re depressed?
More research is needed to answer that question, but just knowing there’s a link gives healthcare providers valuable information to work with.
Did pre-baby blues darken your pregnancy?
For some women, a case of the baby blues can set in even before they give birth. Anxiety and depression during pregnancy aren’t just unpleasant: they can be dangerous to a mom-to-be and her unborn baby. Mood problems can contribute to premature birth, low birth weight, weight loss for the mom and substance abuse issues.
It’s not just hormones or brain chemistry that get us down during pregnancy. It’s also the support, or lack of support, we get from our partners.
A new study finds that women with strong relationships are better able to weather ordinary stressors and less likely to report feeling depressed or anxious during pregnancy.
Pediatricians urged to screen for postpartum depression
Earlier this year, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a recommendation in which they strongly urged ob-gyns to begin routinely screening new mothers for depression during and after pregnancy. However, when such screenings do happen, they usually take place in the hospital, shortly after birth, or six weeks later at an after-delivery checkup. But because postpartum depression often shows up in the first week or two after giving birth, many women suffering from depression are still not being diagnosed.
And diagnosing depression in a new mother is important. In addition to mom’s suffering, studies have shown that left untreated, postpartum depression can have a negative impact on a infant’s cognitive, neurologic, and motor skill development. What’s more, depression can interfere with mother-child attachment bonding, which can lead to behavior problems, anxiety and mood disorders through childhood and adolescence. Continue reading »
There’s a shocking cure for the baby blues: sleep deprivation.
The New York Times reports that depressed new mothers who stay up all night will find their depression lifted by morning. They say:
Sleep deprivation used as a treatment for depression is efficacious and robust: it works quickly, is relatively easy to administer, inexpensive, relatively safe and it also alleviates other types of clinical depression.
Most new parents are painfully familiar with sleep deprivation, and I’ve never heard anyone say it made life with a new baby better. What’s up with this research? Continue reading »
A new study has led researchers to recommend: stitches, not staples, after a ceasarean section.
Women in the study were less likely to suffer post-surgery complications if doctors used sutures to close up the uterus, muscle tissue and skin. Continue reading »
We might still be debating whether OctoMom’s stretchmarks could magically disappear without surgery, but there’s no doubt Kourtney Kardashian had some work done to get down to a twig post-baby.
At least, her photos had some work done – Kardashian is crying foul after OK! ran photos of a svelte postpartum bod she says is not even hers.
And can we say, Kourtney, we’re with you? Continue reading »
Feeling lonely? Maybe it’s time to have a baby. At least that’s what one British survey would have us believe – they say moms have a better social life post partum than they did prior to pregnancy.
So that feeling of isolation while all your childless best girlfriends go out on the town and you stay at home with the baby is JUST you. Well, you and every other mother on the planet. Continue reading »
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