Postpartum Anxierty and Nursing

Perhaps encapsulate and take the placenta? Many women have found that ingesting the placenta (in this case, it's dried and put in capsules -- not gross at all) has helped with all sorts of postpartum problems -- even women who didn't think they had postpartum problems have found that they have had better recoveries when they took the placenta.

I have depression and have been on antidepressants for quite some time. I took them throughout my pregnancy, and the entire time I nursed my boy. I had a great psychiatrist who understood my concerns, and guided me on the right medications.

I suggest you speak with a psychiatrist about psycho-pharmiceuticals, rather than your OB. If you ALREADY feel anxious about having a new baby, I urge you to speak to someone a.s.a.p. to get whatever help you need. And, of course, you may NOT need any medication(s). Anxiety and/or depression are much more harmful to your baby than a small dose of medicine. That said, please be sure that you have a support system of a psychiatrist, family, OB, family doctor, friends, etc. in place before the baby comes.

Take care of yourself. Every pediatrician out there will tell you this, "If the mama is doing well, the baby will do well."

All my best to you.

Please consider talking to the pharmacist
They can tell you more. Remember to what is best
For you & your family even if that differs from
From what others do

.

This time, save your placenta. You can dehydrate it, grind it into a powder and put it in empty gelatin capsules (which you can buy in many pharmacies or health food stores). or you can just chop it in pieces & keep in the freezer, which is easier, but les appetizing. The placenta is rich in vitamins & hormones which when taken several times a day helps you through the post partum period. Animals instinctively eat theirs. Not only is placenta good for preventing pp depression, it is also good for relieving premenstrual & menopausal discomforts. Better to use what comes naturally than to pay for artificial substitutes.

I too had Postpartum anxiety. My doctor prescribed Prozac, which can be taken while breastfeeding, and it made a HUGE difference, but it does take several weeks to feel the effect. I would call a pharmacist and speak to them about your different options. Then bring up your concerns with your doctor, and ask if you could try something else, and offer several suggestions. I think medicating may be a wise decision, but not something that is going to put your baby at risk. Good luck.

I suggest talking to her about taking another drug if it concerns you. You could also discuss this particular drug and if it is worth avoiding while breastfeeding with your new child's pediatrician and even your own family doctor. If they all say that it shouldn't be a problem, I personally would rather be happy and not anxious while breastfeeding, than breastfeeding and anxious. Good luck and congratulations!

Every child and pregnancy is different. It is stressful, you will have two little ones at home. Take a deep breath. It's ok to be stressed and anxious about having more than one little person to depend on you. Talk to your significant other, talk to a friend or two that you trust. Join a local online mommie community that has face to face interaction as well. One group that has this is www.TheMommiesNetwork.org You can go to that page to see if there is a community near you.

As for what you can take while breasfeeding, check out www.kellymom.com and talk to your OB, GP, couselor, SOMEONE and have a plan "just in case" Go into it with an open mind and know that it WILL be stressful for the "4th Trimester" (first 3 months of your baby's life).

It is ok to feel anxious. It's actually pretty normal, most people don't (won't) admit it though!

Hi K.,

I would avoid it. Make sure you are on a superior prenatal. Research the one you are on. They are not created equally! (I can recommend one if you like.) Nutrition can help balance hormones and that's what you need. Make sure you are exercising now, even if it's just a walk around the block, and continue as soon as you are able. A rebounder is appropriate about 6 weeks after delivery. That will easy and help as well.

Congratulations!

M.
www.squidoo.com/ifyourbabycouldtalk

I went through the same thing with my first child and just felt like a complete mess that couldn't keep it together. I spoke to the doc ahead of time with my second pregnancy. She prescribed Prozac which is safe while nursing if taken for the short term. It worked! I took it for 8 weeks to allow my hormones to return to normal ranges. Even my husband noticed a difference in how calm and "normal" I was. Don't feel bad about taking meds. Having a child is a very stressful event in your life. If a couple of months of pills will help keep your sanity, you owe it to yourself and your family. After all, your family relies on you to care for them. In order to do that, you have to take care of yourself first!

Do you have anxiety even when you are not nursing? If not, I am wondering if you are just feeling the true stresses of the responsibility. The first month were two are probibly the hardest two month of my life for each baby that I nursed.

I did not have a strong support system for my 1st child, so I pumped a few weeks then went to formula. But I was determinted with my 2nd, and prepared an armory of experianced caring people and nursed her for 14 months. Now with my third, 5 months into it I still have questions and concerns, but I don't "freak out" as much.

As wonderful and rewarding as it is, and it gets soooooo easy after the first month or so, it is one of the most trying times in a woman's life. With each child, a couple weeks post partum, I have had a break down just sobbing in the shower. lol my husband always walks in concerned, asking whats wrong. with the first baby, it was I DON'T KNOW! All the way to this time where i whimpered, "I feel like my body is so out of control and I will never get sleep, and I don't even have time to wash my hair! But I know that it will be over and things will be back to normal sooner than I can imagine." and he looked at me and said... wash your hair : lol

What I am getting at is.... If it is not a clinical issue that exists outside of post partum, then you are not alone. And if you need any support feel free to send me a message.

Have you pursued other means of dealing with the PPD? Mom groups are great, and you can also look for support groups that deal specifically with PPD. There are also many natural boosters- sunlight, melatonin, writing in a journal...
I hope you can trust in your motherly instincts. You have a wonderful little one that is thriving, yes? Then take a deep breath and KNOW that you have all the tools you need to take care of this one too. :)