Postpartum Depression Months After Birth?

Hello

I did not go to a doctor, but I think I did have postpartum depression months after I gave birth. I asked my mom and she said that she didn't think you could have it that late, but I think I did. I was so depressed. I was angry, didn't want to leave the house, tired. So I think it is possible. I drink mangosteen juice now and I feel so much better. I was off of the juice for a week, b/c I ran out and my mom asked me if I had been drinking it,b/c I was being nasty and mean. It was weird I felt all my emotions and tention come back and as soon as I started drinking the juice again I felt like the dark cloud had been lifted and I was back to feeling relaxed and happy. If you would like information just let me know and I will send you some. Hope this helps!!!!

I was so pleased to see how many moms suggested a THYROID test! I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a full year after my middle child was born. Tiredness was a HUGE symptom...I constantly nodded off at the wheel while driving. It's an easy, fast, and very common test! Good luck!

Hi E.,

Some women have symptoms of depression after birth, just as some people feel depressed for other reasons. Because women have more hormonal changes than men, and because women culturally are more open about their feelings, they tend to report feeling depressed more than men.

As you may have read several weeks ago, another large study was completed, a meta analytic study actually, that has again demonstrated that anti depressant medication is not very useful, except in cases of extreme depression, and even then it's usefulness is questionable. Placebo effect, or what people hope it will do, seems to be the biggest contributor to outcomes.

Counseling and psychotherapy, on the other hand are more effective.

My view is that depression and anxiety are symptoms of problems in living. You suggest that your husband isn't as helpful as you'd prefer, in combination with a major change in your relationship with him due to the addition of your new child, would seem to me to be a significant and daily change in your life which could account, in part, for your feelings of depression.

I wonder what you are telling yourself about all of this? What kinds of thoughts are you having that are getting in the way of your living a vibrant life???

Take a look at my websites, and consider taking action now.

R. Katz, Psy.D.
www.richardkatz.org
http://therapist.psychologytoday.com/53920

Hi E.,

I struggled not only with postpartum issues, but also with prenatal anxiety and depression...My first pregnancy was a tough one and I was put on bedrest for two months...I delivered at term, however spent probably the next year trying to recover from the emotional issues...I just gave birth to my second child three months ago and am doing much better due to the fact that I was better prepared the second time around...

There is a group offering prenatal and postpartum support starting up in the coming month....I asked the psychologist that I see, if she would be willing to start up and lead this type of support group...When I was going through my first pregnancy, I had a very difficult time finding support...I made a promise to myself that I would try to create more of a support network for other women struggling with these issues...

I am a teacher also, however I stay home now with my two little ones....I can't imagine how difficult it must be teaching full-time and being a mom also.....

If you are interested in the group, send me an email and I'll let you know dates, time, and the location. There is also a support group at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village....I do think it's still going on...the woman that lead it when I attended was Leslie Lowell Stoutenburg....she is a great resource....

Let me know what I can do to help.....I've been there..
M.
____@____.com

Hi there and congrats on your little angel. You could also be suffering from what I was diagnosed with - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I get the exact symptoms during the winter months when I don't receive enough hours of daylight. Ask your doctor about this being a possibility. If you find that you perk back up next month when the weather is sunnier and you're outside more, take it as a serious sign. All I have to do is sit in front of a special light each morning as I eat breakfast and put on my makeup. Without it I am terribly irritable with my students all day long and can't wait to just go home to go to sleep. Try to think back about the last two or three winters to remember if you were sluggish then, too. Just a maybe for you...

Good luck - you'll get through this.
A.

E., a doctor could never drug you if you refuse their suggested treatment. You are in charge of your body.

I don't know where you live but here are a couple of resources for alternative health doctors:

1. Cathi Dunal, M.D. Northbrook, IL Internist

2. Call Northwestern University and ask for their Integrated Medical department. This was the number when I was seeing someone there. I don't know if it still is: ###-###-####

3. Dr. Shephard - he is a homeopothist in the Western suburbs of Chicago. If you private email me I will get his information within the next couple of days.

Good luck and I wish you the best,
M.
www.spiritual-ethical-will.com

have you ever been checked for a thryroid problem. I found out that I had this right around the time my daughter was 6 or 7 months old. It made me very tired,lazy,very crabby, and my hands would shake alot(my thyroid was very off). All they do to check it is a simple blood test. I completely understand your worries on depression pills. My girlfriend was told that she had postpardom depression, but she ended up having a thyroid problem. They dont really have any type of test(blood, etc....) to say whether you do or dont have postpardom. Better to rule out any physical problems first. Hope you get some relief soon, all moms deserve that.

I got a little depressed after our son was born. I didn't want to get on any meds, so I tried herbal pills. St. John's Wort seemed to help me get out of the funk and back on track. You may want to check to see if it's Ok while you breastfeed. But it's natural, non-addictive, and doesn't necessarily have to be taken for a long period of time. The guilt, well that's motherhood!

It is very possible to have depression a year later, espescially if you were so consumed with her health in the begining. Probobly almost survival mode. With my fist child I remember feeling that way when he turned 1. Looking back, what really helped me was doing things for myself and realizing that was OK. Not only was it OK but it was necessary to the happiness of my whole family. If mom is not happy, no one is. Try learning something new. Maybe take a class in pottery or whatever interests you. Also meditation and yoga, thi chi... things of that nature can be very benifical. Feeling conected to the earth and seeing the beauty of our world and all things in it is the true key to happiness, or more so serenty. Good luck and try not to get stuck in this stage for too long, we can't always be happy all the time, but we just try to make the good times last and the bad times short-lived.

I also was feeling horrible after the birth of my first child. My pregnancy and birth were not what everyone told me it was going to be. I was on bed rest before delivery and in the hospital for five days after delivery. They wouldn't left me breastfeed my baby for two nights because my blood pressure was so high. Then the day we left, we had to take the baby down to Children's Memorial to see a Pediatric Cardiologist. This was not the way it was suppose to be. I had a pretty good life going where I was in control of things for the most part. I was afraid to talk to anyone about it because I was suppose to be happy! I just let it fester inside. Everyone I talked to was so joyful about their pregnancy and they relayed their happy stories. It took me a long time before I talked to a therapist. I would suggest you talk to someone whether it be a support group or a therapist. Sometimes you don't feel comfortable talking to those closest to you and a therapist can give you skills to help you get at the root of the depression or sadness.

Hi E.~
I've read the other posts and they all offer some really good thoughts/advice.

I had what I would call PPD 4 months after my daughter was born. My issue was a little different though cause I couldn't sleep!! Augh it was probably THE worst time in my life . . .trying to take care of a two year old and a newborn and work full time.

ANYWAY, I do believe that PPD can happen during the first year since it does have something to do with our hormones as well as just our lives trying to develop into some normalcy.

IMO, I think you should think about talking to a counselor. Through my work's Employee Assistance Program, I was able to get matched up with a therapist in my area who specialized in these types of situations. I decided that medication was another option for me. The combination was what I needed to help me at that time.

A lot of posters mentioned doing things for yourself . . . that is very important and the guilt that you feel will start to dissipate as you realize that you are still the same person with needs that need to be met but now you are a mommy with needs :-)

I promise things will get better and you will feel better. sometimes we want to fast forward through the rough spots but that's what makes the good parts so good.

Please feel free to email me or at least please check in so we know how you are doing.
God bless.
D.

I am a therapist who specializes in women's support and work with many women coping with postpartum depression. It is very normal to have the symptoms of postpartum kick in months after a child is born, epecially in your situation where you have been occupied with health issues and focusing all of your energy on your new little one. It is preferable to not take psychotropic medication if you are breast-feeding, of course, however, I have worked with women who made the decision to take a small dose to help alleviate some of the symptoms. I strongly recommend seeking some therapeutic support. Postpartum goes undiagnosed in so many women and your life can be made so much easier (and that of your family) if you get support earlier rather than later. There is no shame in experiencing these emotions, more women face this than you might suspect. You do need to focus attention on yourself - self-soothing yourself and using distress tolerance skills can help you through this so much faster. Please feel free to email me at ____@____.com, my office is in Schaumburg, if you would be interested in coming in for counseling or are in need of referrals.

E.,

I recommend that you see a psychologist to assess the level of your depression and to provide appropriate treatment. Therapy is generally very helpful. You've been under a lot of stess with your litle girl's heart problems and need to have some of the energy you've expended replenished. You and your family need you to be functioning at your best. Your husband should likely be more helpful. He may also be emotionally impacted by the problems your family is dealing with. Open communication with one another is extremely important. Reach out and get the assistance you need.
Sincerely, L.

You made the first step by saying that there is a problem. I had postpartum depression when Yates case was going on. I knew that there was something wrong but was not sure what. I found a councelor and talked.

C. R.

E.,
It is possible. Depression can come at any time and you have had many stressers this year. (The tiredness also made me wonder about a pregnancy too. Thyroid problems, among other medical issues can cause fatigue too.)
I have taken antidepressants while breastfeeding. I spent time reading about the medicine I took before I used it. Talk to your doctor, he/she will be able to assess you and help you. After our last baby I really tried to 'force' myself to make time to exercise and get sunlight. Also to eat nutritous foods. I really believe all those things help so much. Even just putting your child in the stroller and taking a walk in the sun. I am still working on those things. Our baby is four months old. If I feel the need to take medication again, I would do it in a heartbeat. The feelings a person feels when they are suffering from depression are not normal. They come from a chemical imbalance that we cannot always fix on our own.
You are doing great by recognizing that you are not feeling normal. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor if you continue to feel this way.
Good luck,
M. mother of 6, four months to twelve years.

I don't know where you are located, but I recommend PPDIL.ORG, Post partum depression alliance in Illinois. They have info and recommendations there.
Post Partum depression is at high rates, esp among moms who are experiencing other stressors, or who have a family hx of ppd or other mood disorders (depression and alcoholism for example, are not always diagnosed or treated, at least not in my family)
You don't necessarily have to take medication, but you should be screened by a doctor or counselor. Someone you trust.
Breast feeding is a good thing to help you emotionally. It releases some powerful hormones - esp oxytocin - that supports emotional well being. Congrats for being a breastfeeding mom in a society that has lost touch with that practice.
Why suffer? You have enough on your hands. Get the help you need.

E., please make an appointment with your physician and ask for your thyroid to be tested! It is quite common for a woman to have a hypo active thyroid after giving birth and you may have written off the early signs, mild depression, always being tired, craving sleep above all else and not being able to complete thoughts or sentences (I call it foggy head) to having a newborn, espeically if she was having physical problems. The treatment is synthroid, a hormone replacement, perfectally safe to breast feed with!

I just wonder if you could be pregnant?
Also, it may just be that you let so much build inside for all those moths that it is just catching up to you. If you do not feel any changes soon, I would go talk to someone. That can never hurt and you will have some time to yourself. Good luck!

You have had alot on your plate for a while. It is sort of like running a marathon and then at the end you stop running, it is only then do you take time to realize the pain you have been feeling, but there is no more running to stop the pain.
You have just now had the time to think about and feel all that you have not allowed yourself to process. My suggestions are 1) tell your husband, have someone sit for your child go out for a quiet dinner and talk, tell him what you think you need to get through this. He might actually feel close to the same way 2)tell your doctor, while I know you don't want to be drugged up, your doc needs to be involved with the care of the whole you. If you don't feel okay talking to your doc, get a new one. 3) plan 1-2 hours out and away per week just for you, and I don't mean grocery shopping. A walk, massage, pedicure, meeting a friend for coffee.

Lastly remember this phrase If Momma ain't happy, ain't no buddy happy!

Show your child by example how to take care of herself by taking care of yourself.

Go back to your family doctor and let him/her know about your energy level issues. Make sure that you get a blood test to assess your thyroid. People with Hypothyroid (sluggish thyroid) typically have very low energy and crave more sleep. This is a common problem and can be remedied without impacting your BF.

Both of my kids are adopted and about three months after the first one came home I started having headaches. It lasted for two months before I finally went to the doctor. After checking everything--I had also lost alot of weight qucikly which made the doctor (not me) nervous--the doctor said it was probably stress. Although I had not delivered the child--I could still experience the stress and therefore drepression associated with being a new mother. My doctor's advice was get a babysitter and a good one for a few hours a week. That was definitely the answer. I would guess you may bve experiencing the same thing--what ever you call it.

I don't know if the clinical definition of postpartum depression continues past the time your child is one. However, I'm convinced I had the condition for the first year to year and a half of my daughter's life. My ob-gyn offered to put me on Prozac at my six or eight week check up, and I refused, thinking my extreme fatigue was solely caused by lack of sleep. And, like you, I was opposed in general to taking drugs. A year later, long after my daughter was sleeping through the night, I still felt rotten. I regret that I did not get the help I needed at the time. In hindsight, I should have taken the prescription. My sister (who is not a mother) has used Prozac from time to time, and she says it is simply a boost to be used temporarily; when you're feeling better, you transition off the medication. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

I suspect it is a combination of things. Lack of sleep being the first. If my child had a major illness I would be depressed. I would not go out any where. I am a mother first and myself last. I do for my children and do without as a mother. My son is mentally ill because of a life changing event. My life was hell during the worst part of the illness. It is better now but I cannot go out any where for myself. I only go shopping for food. I just cannot do things. I know part of it is depression and part of it is fear of leaving him alone. I have talked to a lot of people old and young who tell me they have no energy and do not want to go any where. I feel it is hard to heal from a major illness. It takes years to relax after worring every minute that the child you have may not be there the next minute. I have been blessed to have friends who went through this type of worry. Seeing then recover and have a better life always gives me hope for people I meet now. I will pray for you to feel better. You have taken the first step recognizing that there is a change in you. Now find friends at church, peer counseling, professional counseling, friends and family to support you. Start with just five minutes a day that are your five minutes. Allow yourself to relax and feel like the new you. You just have to find out where you went and who you want to be now. I just hope you are not dead inside like me. I cannot recover from the lonely walk I will live with forever. I know you can walk a wonderful path with grass, trees, and a happy child. Just wake up to what is arround you again. Good luck.

I understand everything you are going thru - been there actually still there - daughter was diagnosed with cp around 2months of age - now i take her to physical therapy once a week - it is all about the child no time to think - no time to sleep - work it is hard trying to understand when will i have time for myself - she is now four - but therapy is still going on. I don't think that it matters how many months your child is - I think depression still happens when you are stress in feel lonely. Try meditation it works sometimes for me - sometimes a bubble bath at 11pm still helps me.

It could be ppd even this late, especially if you're just easing up on some stress from caring for/worrying about your daughter. You may want to get some simple blood tests from your physician first to rule out thyroid disease or iron deficiency, etc. There are many reasons you could be really tired, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about all the possibilities and your symptoms and the fact that you're not thrilled about going the drug route immediately. Your physician should be sensitive to your desires.

You can get it for up to 13 months after birth and it can often be remedied by some progesterone cream applied daily. Ask your doctor, and good luck.

My heart goes out to you. I went through the same thing between 6-10 months. I was questioning if I should go on meds. I went to my therapist and she made some suggestions. It helped me.
If you live in the Libertyville IL area I have a really good therapist my husband is going to right now. He went through it also, it is not just for women. His therapist is really helping us adjust to life with a baby.
My girlfriend went through the same thing and went on meds, it helped her get through it. The doc won't keep you on them for ever, just to help you get through. With meds it does take a little time to find the right one, but when you do it is great!!
In my opinion, your body is catching up with all the stress you have been through. Take care of yourself. One thing my therapist told me was to work out. She said that will help. The was the last thing I wanted to do!!!
Good luck with this journey.
S.

Have your doctor check your thyroid(simple blood test). I had the same problem, but it turned out to be depression and low thyroid. With the thyroid medication(safe while nursing)the depression became minimal, then eventually went away. Look online for symptoms of hyper-thyroid. I don't remember all, but lack of energy, tiredness, and not able to lose baby-weight are the main ones.
I hadn't realized, but giving birth can cause your thyroid to malfunction, so it is commmon in women with babies....often it will recharge itself with low dosage of synthroid.

You CAN have depression that many months after giving birth, it happened to me (they just don't always call it postpartum)!!! Talk to your doctor. Have a thyroid test/bloodwork done. And know that you might be feeling this way because you have an 11 month old that you've given your body, mind, & soul to non-stop for a long time!!! Physical exhaustion can really mess with your body. Talk to a therapist if it makes you feel better. Take some time for YOU and don't feel guilty about it. You sound like a great mom and in order to continue to be that great mom, you have to get some rest and spend a little time on "you"... As a side note, my husband and I were totally exhausted around 11 months and instituted the "weekend sleeping-in plan" - I get to sleep in on Saturday mornings, he on Sunday, and we're feeling so much better. Good luck, and take care.

Of course you can get pp depression this long after birth. It sounds to me as though you are not getting much exercise. It's still the cheapest antidepressant around, with no bad side effects. You can work out at home, to a tape or just by yourself, or get out and walk, or join a gym, depending on your time and money available, but you should do something physical. I'd be willing to bet it's not a problem that requires medical intervention. It sounds normal but you can fight it.

What I have done, is to take that bubble bath while baby was sleeping, or to sit and read a magazine. Something that I wanted to do that made me feel beter. Babies, and kids take a lot out of you. It is a hard thing to grasp when you have to rearrange your own schedule. Hang in there.

E.,

It sounds like you are just plain and simple exhausted - and rightly so. That level of worry over that long of a time (when your baby was born with a heart problem) completely zaps your energy - and you said it yourself, you didn't allow yourself time to do much for yourself or by yourself.

You might need more time than others think seems 'normal' to regain your regular energy level. Don't let anyone else make you think you should 'feel better' by now. Please take your time and do whatever you need for YOU now, and only in your own timeframe - you deserve it Mom!

You know that when you are BF'ing, that can definitely also take your energy, right? It is extremely important that you are eating right - all your nutrients will go to your breastmilk first, depleting your body if necessary. Perhaps you can talk with a nutritionist also??

It is possible to have Postpartum this long after - if you find yourself thinking unhealthy thoughts - definitely talk to a counselor - you might as well call now because they are all booked weeks in advance and so you know - there are alternatives to getting 'drugged-up'
:-)

On the other hand, if you just simply need more sleep and more time to yourself for awhile - just go for it, recharge and take your time!

be gentle with yourself,

W.

PS. E. sorry for the long post but I forgot to add that I also was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after pregnancy - you mentioned being 'relentelessly tired' I was so tired I literally found myself leaning against a wall in the kitchen one afternoon too tired to take another step and realized something was very wrong. Please tell your doctor that you are extremely tired - it's a simple blood test and a simple little pill once / day to treat it.

E.,

I had PPD when my second son was born. It took me a long time to realize it because it didn't kick in until he was about 7 months old and it lasted until he was around 1 (he is 21 months now). I didn't call my doctor, but I wish I had. When I finally went back to my OB/GYN (after I was feeling better) for an appointment I told him why I hadn't been in. He was concerned and said that I should have been to see him, that is what he is there for. He said that they may have put me on medication (for a short time) but there were a lot of other things he could have suggested to help me. Please call your doctor; now that I am feeling better I see the wisdom is asking for help from a person who is trained to deal with it.

Yes, it is definitely a probability. Mine did not really hit at all until my daughter was almost a year and our family was in a finacial crisis.

I am a substitute teacher and had to go back to work and know how tiring teaching the kids can be some days. That can be wearing on you too. I know that with the year almost up, it gets quite crazy. You're giving of yourself to your baby and at least 25 other kids everyday and that just can bring you down sometimes.

You do need to find time for yourself. Find a friend that you trust to watch your baby so you can have even 2 hrs a week to do something that you enjoy. Take a bath, a long walk, read a good book. Exercise is a great endorphine raiser that can help depression. The main way that I prevented/treated my PPD was to use bio-identical progesterone. My midwife prescribed it for me starting right out of the hospital. I ended up having to use the cream when I ran out of insurance, but it doesn't cost too much. You can get Emerita brand at Fruitful Yield and that doesn't have anything extra that could mess with bfing (as I am still doing that too). A lot of PPD is caused by the progesterone drop right after birth. I believe that I always had a progesterone imbalance, that's why I still have to be on it. You may want to see if your progesterone or estrogen levels are normal. They could be low from the bfing.

Bach's Rescue Remedy is also great at helping to calm nerves and make you feel somewhat better. It is make of flower essenses and is safe for you and the baby. You can also get it at Fruitful Yield and it works fast.

PM me if you have anymore questions. I know how hard it can be and have researched the medications and non-medication ways extensively because I had to.

Take care,
H.

My semi-professional guess (I am a graduate level family counseling student who's about a year away from graduation) is that what you are experiencing is normal under the circumstances. Post-partum depression usually happens right after the birth, not 11 months later. At least that's what I was taught in my child birth classes. I would guess that your depression is caused more by sleep deprivation than anything else. Also, you probably need a lot of encouragement from others -- especially your husband -- to do things for yourself without feeling guilty. Talk to your husband about taking a more proactive approach to taking care of the baby's needs. Hopefully he'll be receptive. If not, keep asking him to do what he's supposed to do. One day he'll get the picture.

Hi Erica, I saw a presentation on postpartum depression and I believe it can strike anytime after the birth but it is more common right after the birth when the hormones are in flux. It would not hurt to seek some advice from a Dr or counselor. If they offer prescriptions there might be alturnatives that are breastfeeding safe. To me, and I'm not a professional, it sounds like you are burned out and exhausted. I would recommend insisting that your husband watch her so you can have some time to yourself. Go get your nails done, shopping, massage or anything that YOU really like to do that haven't been able to - within reason :) Then take a good look at your diet. Breastfeeding takes a lot of nutrients from you and it is VERY important to put them back. Are you eating enough, veggies, fruits, protien, taking a multi, calcium, and a good fish oil. Fish oil is VERY important especially if you think you might be depressed. When you're pregnant the baby steals your DHA if you don't have enough and they have linked this deficiency to postpartum depression. The older you are the less you have therefore the more you should supplement. They even put this in prenatal vitamins now. It will only do good things for your little one too. It helps with their cognition. Not to worry about passing it along. I'd recommend Carlson's Cod liver oil in liquid form since we're still at the tail end of a long winter. It has Vit D. The liquid oil is more powerful and you might need that right now if you're deficient. They have a lemon flavor that you can put in tomato juice and is very good. I can and even my daughter can take a tablespoon of it with out being grossed out. I buy mine at Whole Foods.

My next suggestion is to enjoy your summer off. Naperville has a ton of things to do outside for moms. They have the riverwalk entertainment and the library does a reading every week. Get out and have some fun!

it doesnt hurt to see someone. if he puts you on a med there are meds that are ok with breast feeding- check with your dr or pediatrician. as far as decreased energy- have you had your period yet? Have your iron level checked? Their can be so many reasons behind your feelings. I know during my first trimester I felt like that and a week before my period I feel like that. Since you have been experiencing the sympotoms for so long I recommend your dr or OB. Good Luck and God Bless!

I don't have info on post partum but I do know about SAD--seasonal affecive disorder. It's basically seasonal depression. Perhaps look into that.
DO get yourself some fish oils regardless. They're great for you, Nordic Naturals are the best. Cheers!

I have delt with mild depression on and off for 7 years, mine has not been postpartum but my Dr. and myself were worried it would happen. My advice is see your Dr. right away. According my Dr. and research there are trace amounts that actually enter your milk, nothing that would ever harm your little girl. And after dealing with depression and having a 3.5 year old I can tell you that it is SOOO important to take care of you. You are no good (for your husband or child)if you are not happy and feeling well. Sometimes it only took me 6 months or so on meds to feel back to normal. Good Luck

Dear E.,
If you are of any particular faith, please stay prayerful. Sit down and make a list of things you are thankful for and say them gently and quietly to yourself. If you have a church family see if they have a support group of some sort. When you feel a little desire to go out and do something you like, do it. The more you start going out the better you will begin to feel. Your faith is like a muscle, when you exercise it in doing little things, it tends to heal you in the process.

I went through a mild case of it with my two children. I believe strongly in God and He will help you through this time. People underestimate the impact of such a life change; your body goes through a drastic change during pregnancy and after.
One of the things I was thankful for was seeing them grow, walk and smile. Once you praise the little things everything else starts to fall into place. Dont worry...soon enough you will start feeling like yourself. Let me tell you, it's great!

Sincerely,
D.

I definitely agree with the other posts. Talk to your doctor because it could be your thyroid or ppd. With my second daughter, I was diagnosed with ppd when she was 4 months old. Working full time, raising my two girls, husband working full time and going to school...you get the picture. My doctor said with the stress from all of the outside triggers and my hormonal situation from having my baby, I needed a little something to help. I have been on Zoloft ever since. It has helped tremendously.

i am going thru this myself. a couple of weeks ago i called my midwife and talked to her, she said that psotpartum depression can come on anytime and its usually up to a year or so after the birth of the baby. i myself got on some medication, and am feeling much better around my kids and the way i live life day to day

I would definitely discuss it with your doctor. Your situation is more complex due to the heart issues. You may need a mild med to carry you through for a while. There are many new meds available. You owe it to yourself and to your family to take the best care of yourself that you possibly can. Hugs!

D.

Erica:
Yes- it happened to me. I had to go back to work after 6 weeks and my life was so busy that I ignored all my symptoms. It took me 10 months to go to my doctor and ask for help. They told me it can take up to a year in some cases for it to kick in. My issue was not being able to get her to breastfeed or drink breast milk. I felt like a failure, like I did something wrong and I could not be a good mom. Please- talk to your doctor. It was hard, but I realized I owed it to my kids to be a happier person.
Good luck. And, don't be afraid to tell your hubby you need help.
Katie

Depression can occur at anytime. At 11 months pp, I doubt it is postpartum, but it doesn't really matter what the label is. I finally got help for mine when my son was a little over a year myself and I was nursing too. I saw a therapist which helped a lot and they put me on Zoloft.....but it's perfectly safe while nursing...lots of tests done on it and I even was able to stay on it through my 2nd pregnancy and am now nursing my 2nd and still on it. The difference in the postpartum period is night and day for me between my first son and this one. Life is just sooooo much easier to deal with and I don't feel like nothing is worth anything like i used to. The hardest step is calling someone but you will feel so much better when you do. Good luck to you!

I don't know many men that do anything unless you ask...and most of them require many requests to get their keester's moving.

Anyway, I had some serious depression after my first was born for about four months. I thought I was the worst mommy in the world because she was so cranky. I just knew it was all my fault and I would cry at the drop of a hat. Often my hubby would wake up in the middle of the night and find me and the baby just sobbing. I felt like the biggest failure if she wasn't happy all the time. (and she was never happy it seemed) She didn't sleep well so sleep deprivation just made my depression worse. I was so tired I would hallucinate. It didn't seem like I did anything right with the baby, cooking, and I let myself go. I didn't do my hair, put on much makeup if any. Often I wouldn't shower until late in the afternoon.

I started fanticizing about going into the backyard with my gun and shooting myself up against our tree back there. Thinking that if I aimed it right it would exit my head into the tree and then no one would get hurt in our neighborhood, I wouldn't mess up the house, and then my hubby could find a competent wife and mother for our precious little girl.

That is when I got scared. I talked to my husband about my feelings and then started talking to my mom. Just confiding in someone started to make me feel better. And I know it is going to sound hokey, but I started really reading my Bible and praying all of the time. Everytime I felt that wave come over me I would just cry and start to pray. I never went to a doctor...maybe that wasn't the best thing to do. But I got through it and fortunately I didn't suffer from depression with my second.

At some point I realized that I was a mess...and I started to think I needed to take better care of myself for my husband's sake and that of my daughter. I kept thinking...how embarrassed my daughter would be when she started school and mommy showed up looking like a huge mess.

I started taking care of myself again and started going for long walks with my little one. It got some of my weight off and made me feel better. She started sleeping better and then I started feeling better. Sleep is an amazing thing.

Don't feel guilty about doing something for yourself once in awhile. I've learned that when...I feel better, I am better. I'm a better mommy, happier, more patient, more loving, more energetic. All of those things make me a better wife and mother. If I'm feeling ugly, fat, tired, and guilty then I'm not in the best frame of mind to be a good mom.

If you want to be the best possible mom, then you have to start to feel better about yourself. You need to take some time for yourself...so you can be better for your child.

Hi E.,

My son is now 15 months old and I went through postpartum depression/anxiety. I also was diagnosed with a thyroid condition several months after he was born. They are separate issues, and I bring up both because it would be worth seeing your doctor about each one. With the hypothyroidism, I gained a lot of weight very quickly (it coincided with stopping breastfeeding at 6 months, so that was confusing) and I was super, super tired. At that point I had already been on Zoloft for the anxiety/depression for 3 months but hadn't yet seen a psychiatrist for it. When I finally saw a psychiatrist she suggested I also get tested for thyroid condition. It is a simple blood test that you can ask any doctor to prescribe for you.
Without knowing more about your symptoms (i.e. what changes your coworker noticed), it's hard to know for sure which might be the culprit - whether postpartum or thyroid or both. I live in Palatine and can give you names/numbers of resources if you need. But I did a LOT of research on the safety of antidepressants on breastfeeding and Zoloft is considered the "gold-standard." It leaves your system the quickest and seems to be excreted the least in breastmilk.
I had the postpartum depression/anxiety pretty much within the first week of giving birth. But I would say the thyroid condition didn't seem to appear until about 5-6 months postpartum. But postpartum depression can appear anytime within the first year.
Whether or not you go on medication, talking to a counselor/therapist can help give you some of the support you are in need of right now. Support groups are wonderful, too.
Good luck, and let me know if you want to talk further.

Dear E.,
You took a great first step and that is to ask for help. I so empathize with your situation and urge you to take the wonderful advice that has already been offered to you by others - ask your family doctor to do a thyroid test, get more sleep (however difficult this may seem), talk to someone (a therapist and a friend) and/or find a support group, and also research anti-depressants (seeing a psychiatrist for a consultation would be wise and several good anti-depressants do not effect breastmilk and have few side effects.) I have hypothyroidism which got worse at several months post-partum in addition to having depression for many years (I take Lexapro which was safe for pregnancy and for breastfeeding and has helped alot and I take levothyroxine for the thyroid which has helped my fatigue immensely and is also safe for breastfeeding.) Incidentally, both my sister and I have congenital heart disease and my mother has often shared with us how difficult those first few years were with the stress of worry and medical treatments, surgeries, etc. We are both doing wonderfully now with a long, healthy prognosis! Please take care of yourself first - only then can you be the happiest and best mom you can be. I know how hard this is believe me, but being proactive and treating yourself with loving and gentle kindness as you get help will benefit you, your marriage and definitely your little daughter. I, too, am the (recently single) mom to a little girl and I know how exhausting, and wonderful, it can be. Depression can be treated and there is great hope. Feel free to email me directly at ____@____.com if you ever want to talk. Hang in there and your and your family will be in my prayers.

It is possible to have PPD months after birth, but if it is mild it can be treated without drugs and nutritional supplements such as a B-complex or 1000mg of B12 and 1000mg of B5 (pantothenic acid), fish oils (nordic naturals) and vitamin C. All safe for baby and beneficial for them too to get some extra vitamins. A change in diet is helpful too, reduce your sugar intake, eat more complex carbs, more protein too is helpful. If you want more info on some more tips on nutritional healing, feel free to reply. Take care of yourself! Us moms oftern forget to do that!

Dear E.,
I don't think it is postpartum "D". I believe
it's the fact that you always have to worry about your new
baby that scares you. In time it will all work out,and your
beautiful baby girl will grow up Strong, and be more of pain at times then you can believe!LOL
But it is all worth it! My baby girl is now 21.
We went through some very hard nights. But God was always with us, and help me to get through them. I prayed every night. And I thank him everyday, For every moment with her.
So to maybe help relieve your stress. You might want to listen to music.
I find when I have the radio on, and up loud! I get so much pleasure and it helps to relax me of my thoughts.
So go ahead a crank it up!! And sing along to your favorite songs, and just enjoy yourself..Sing to her & dance with her. So you don't feel like you are doing some thing wrong.(Hence the guilt sets in). But if you sing, and dance with the baby,or put her to sleep with the radio on. She'll grow up to enjoy music too.
Then you will both have some thing in common from the start. And will always have some thing to talk about. And you won't feel "Guilty" for enjoying yourself. There's nothing wrong with "Enjoying Yourself"!
Take it from me, I'm a mother of SIX. And I raised them
by myself,and had to take many times out to listen to music. To ease my mind of every thing.
Well I hope some of my words help you in some way.
God bless you,and stay strong!
You have a powerful strenght with in YOURSELF!

J..L

Speak 2 ur dr. He'll know if it sounds like post prtum or just complete exhaustion. You've been thru a horrible ordeal and mental stress is worse on your bodily functions than anything else. It can wreck ur sleep, change ur eating habits, cause your hair to fall out or break off and make you fall asleep at the drop of a pin. Medication may be the answer honey. Dr. will know what will or will not affect baby. Good luck mommy. I've been there. We survive but we change.

yes this happens. please go tot eh dr and have you throid checked this can do it ofetn too and usually it happens between 3-6 months but you never know. it could just be your throid hormones levels. and please dont be afraid to ask your husband for more help and tell him what you need exactly. Does he see and know you are depressed at all too?
Hang in there but please see the dr or your gyne can help too and test the levels. Even breastfeeding with prolactin levels can change and cause this you can check your blood first to make sure this is not soemthign too easy to fix!
good luck!
J.

It could be your just run down. Maybe vitamin difficent. with work nursing and caring for her. Check with your doctor for a blood test. Then talk to him he just might recomend talking to someone or just having someone help you out with things so you don't feel so overwhelmed. But talk to someone so it doesn't get worse.

Hi E.,

I completely understand. I was feeling the same way. It seems never ending all that we deal with bith emotionally and physically by being a mom. I have two (4 and 11 months) and it is difficult. It may help to talk with a psychotherapist, this person cannot prescribe meds just counseling. However I suggest what has helped for me, manicures, pedicures, hair salon appointments, asking for help from others (especially dad), but most of all deciding to not feel guilty about taking time for me (atleast most of the me time :-}). Although these treats are few I realized that if I am no good to myself, I can be no good to anyone else. The guilt will consume you, but IT IS OKAY TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! Hope this helps.

Hi E. -

I can totally relate to your story. I am a proud mother of two handsome boys...4 and 24 months this month. Six months after my first son was born I suffered anxiety...which led to a little bit of depression. I had no idea what was going on since the first six months I felt great...well tired from a newborn, but great. I nursed him for the six months, and when I started feeling like this I went to see my doctor and a counsler...just to open up to someone. My doctor ASKED me if I wanted medication, and I said I prefer to work through this with out medicine. With a month of couseling, and getting out of the house, bottle feeding, which aloud me to socialize much more, I was feeling so much better. I made time for myself when my husband was home, just to exercise and meet with friends or family. Sometimes I think us new moms are so consumed with being a new M. that we forget we really do matter too. Of course we love and adore our little ones, no doubt, but if we are not healthy, mentally and physically, our little ones will suffer. I really reccomend talking to someone, even if it's for a short time, and open up to family and friends as much as possible, so they understand. Then, I really reccomend recognizing your needs just as a woman, and taking care of those needs, with the support of your husband or family and friends. Of course our little ones come first, always, but they will be great and appreciate an energized M. when we take care of ourselves.

The best love we can give them is show them how important it is to love ourselves, so they will grow up loving themselves and others. You sound like a wonderful M., and a dedicated school teacher...that is awesome! Just remember yourself at times. I found that exercising was a great help for me. It doesn't last, just don't ignore it!!

Take care, and God Bless.

Crystal

It's certainly possible. My best friend was diagnosed with postpartum depression when her son was 11 months old. She was skeptical at first because he was her 2nd child and he was almost a year old. She did all the blood work of a regular physical and ruled out anything else like thyroid problems. At the time, she had a hectic life and another son (just 18 months older) with some minor special needs and it just all caught up to her. She first did therapy sessions, weekly for a month. She, too, was breastfeeding and ended up taking the lowest possible dose of Zoloft for several months. With therapy, more help, and regular exercise and good nutrition she was able to get off the medication. What she says was most valuable was the therapy sessions. She was able to identify in herself the triggers and signs of depression - be it postpartum or otherwise. She knows now that when a week goes by with little or no exercise or help with her (now 3) kids, she needs to make some changes or she could be back on that downward spiral. Take care of yourself, and see your doctor. You're a busy woman with a full-time career, an 11 month old, and a husband you have to ask for help. It's probably all just sinking in now. After I had twins, it probably took a good 10-12 months for me to realize - Crap, this really is my life now and it's not going back to "normal." I think a delayed reaction to all this change is very common. Talk to your husband and make a deal to be partners in parenting and in managing your household. He's not hired help, he's your husband and a parent. You don't need to ask him to do his job. He's a father now and his role needs to be adjusted to suit your family's needs. It's time for him to step up so you can have even just a little time to take care of yourself. It's easier to confront this now than 2 or 3 kids down the road when the habit of not helping unless asked is deeply rooted. Good luck, and don't hesitate to go talk to your doctor. The hardest thing can be to go and ask, but it can also be a huge relief.

Wow, you have been through so much. I don't think it would be strange at all to be overwhelmed or depressed at this time. Finding out that your newborn had a serious medical issue must have been shocking, heartbreaking, so scary. Maybe now, all these months later, she is doing well enough that you are not in shock/survival mode any more. Maybe you are able to relax enough that all the underlying feelings are coming up and that would absolutely be exhausting. Also, maybe you're just exhausted!! All of this plus a full time job?! Give yourself lots of leeway. You absolutely should not feel guilty about doing things for yourself. You must. For you and your family. You need to take good care of yourself in order to have anything left to give. Cliche but true. And I would talk to someone. You sound incredibly normal to me and I can't imagine drugs would be the first course of action for any doctor. You can be clear that you are not interested in them unless you are fully convinced otherwise. What a year you have had. I wish you and your family the very best and a wonderful future. I hope your precious daughter is doing well and continues to get better. Good luck to you.

Hi E....Been there, feel like you. I have a just turned 1year old who had a congenital heart defect that required 2 open heart surgeries before she was 10 mos old. I can empathize with what you went through. We knew about my daughter while we were pregnant so I worried endlessly now for 16 months.
I don't know how long after birth you can experience PPD but it has to be longer than 6-12 months. The problem is that you absolutely were not thinking of yourself for the past 11 months because your child was ill. Sometimes now that things are better and calmer, I find myself actually thinking of me for a change and yes, there is that nagging question. I have not checked it out professionally but I did find that once my thyroid medicine was adjusted, I got my energy back and felt better. If you have never checked your thyroid, you may want to ask about that first because the tiredness sounds like it could be under-active thyroid. If you want to talk, u can email me at ____@____.com care!
D.

E., While I am a grandmother, I know that post partum depression can come anytime. Please, go get help from a therapist. Talk to your OB GYN. I also taught school while my kids were growing up, but not when they were infants. You have an awful lot on your plate and you shouldn't have to ask for help from your husband. Please, seek help. Post Partum depression can have severe consequences.
S. G.

Hi E.,
I went through the same thing. I suggest you talk to you OB right away to find out your options. My son was 11 mo when I started having the same symptoms your experiencing. I would also try to find a great therapist to talk through some of the issues of being a new mom. Best of luck- I promise it will get better :) K.

E., the first thing I would make sure the doctor checks is your thyroid function. I started suffering from what seemed to be postpartum depression at about 6 months. Your TSH should be between 0.3 and 3.00 (some docs don't know the new guidelines). Hypothyroid after childbirth is supposedly common and should return to normal within a year or 2 for some women. I also found out I'm gluten intolerant which manifested after childbirth. This is also related to hypothyroid. Before settling for just anti-depressants, look into these things first. Believe me, I know how important it is to be able to function with a baby and how hard depression can make it. You can feel better, just get to the root. It sounds like counseling may be in order also to deal with all of the traumatic events. Sometimes physical symptoms cause mental ones and vice versa. "One Body, One Health". Best wishes!

E.,
You need to contact your Obgyn right away. It hit me when my son was about 7 months old, and it was just terrible. I was sad, no energy, I just want to get in the van and drive away, no destination, just drive. I called my Obgyn and they put me on Celexa and antidepressant/anxiety medication and it changed everything. Please call you doctor.

S. T.