Post Partum Depression...

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was happy, though miserable - I had a rough pregnancy. Through it all, I also had deep fears... I worried that about my ability to be a good mother. I worried about being able to keep my children safe; safe from the crazies of the world, from abuse, and trauma. I also worried about falling into a pit of despair known as Post Partum Depression. I had already felt that deep pit and with the help of medication and counseling I had begun to climb out of it. When I spoke to my Dr. about my desire to become pregnant, he suggested I wait, and stay on the medication for at least a full year. Back in those days not as many medications were available, and the medication I was taking was not great for pregnancy.

When I realized a week later that I was in fact, already pregnant, I went off of my medication cold turkey! Perhaps the joy of anticipation of the new life growing inside me helped me to not fall back into depression during the pregnancy. I worried a lot however, having read about the possibility of PPD, that after the birth I might fall into what had formerly been an abyss for me.

Then, events that had seemed a world away from me became up close and personal! Saddam Husein invaded a small country I had previously never even heard of called Kuwait. As the military started building up for War, I spent more time worrying, about bigger things than just myself, but when word came that my husband too would be joining the fray, life became somewhat of a blur... My husbands unit left for Saudi Arabia the first part of December 1990, when I was about 7 months pregnant. Here I was a young Army wife, and the Company Commanders wife decided since they had already been on orders to go home before the war broke out, she decided to go ahead and move back home to the US. None of the other Officers were married, so I became the Head of our Family Support Group and I had to try to help comfort and support all of the other wives and families in our Unit; Most of which had been married and part of the Military far longer than I had!

I was asked/or invited to attend the meetings on Post with all the Rear Detachment Commanders of the Post. They often had weekly or monthly meetings. This kept me busy, and again, perhaps unable to focus so much just on me, and my personal loneliness, etc.

I did however, have plenty of lonely times. Both of my parents had passed away before I had ever married. I spent much of my pregnancy wishing I had the support and encouragement that all young mothers probably want. I wished I had a mother I could call and ask questions of: Did you feel like this when you were pregnant? Did you get this ill? How did your births go?

After Christmas, my dear friend flew to Germany to spend time with me until my baby arrived. (She stayed for nearly 3 months). I was and continue to be so very grateful for her friendship and support. She became my secretary, my constant companion and confidant. She attended all the meetings with me. She attended my appointments with me, and was with me for every part of my birth.

Even though I had this wonderful friend helping me, I was still very alone; No Mother, No husband (for the time being), and about to have my first baby, far away from anything familiar - living over seas, in a foreign country. I worried about everything! I worried even more that I would have PPD. I certainly had plenty of reasons to expect trouble with it, from previous issues of depression, and going off of my medications, to having my husband deployed to a War Zone, and having a baby alone... My best girlfriend stayed with me until my baby was around a month old. I'm sure that her company, and all of her help was immensely important in my post partum ability to cope with things. Then she had to return home (to get married), and I was left on my own.

My baby was not as easy as I had imagined and hoped. She was probably as close to colicky as a baby could be without actually having colick. She cried and fussed a lot and spit up untold volumes. I think I still managed to hang on to reality for the most part, and again I'm sure the meetings I had to continue to attend and helping the other wives and mothers in our Unit, kept me going. But I do remember that I would often go days without saying a word. I would meet the physical needs of my baby, but she wasn't much of a conversationalist. When the phone would finally ring, I remember my voice croaking as I answered, being the first time I'd spoken in days! Then I would feel guilty about not talking to and interacting with my baby.

My husband came home from the war when our daughter was 3 months old. I had survived somehow, but only barely. Why I didn't suffer from full blown PPD, is still somewhat of a mystery to me as I certainly had plenty of 'reasons' to have suffered from it. I have compassion for those mothers who through no fault of their own, struggle and suffer from the often debilitating effects of Post Partum Depression.

I like the analogy of it taking a village to raise a family. A new mother and father, needs a village to help support and sustain her in the days and weeks (and years) after the birth of a new baby. Motherhood with a new baby while you are sleep deprived and often worse is hard. Again, I am ever so thankful that my dear friend Jessica was able to come and be with me for that first month. Without her help I am sure I would have swirled right down into the pits of despair.

For some mom's it takes even more, medication, counseling, etc. The link below has some really terrific information, stories and book suggestions to help. Check it out.

http://goop.com/newsletter/93/

Gwyneth Paltrow shares her experience of Postpartum Depression on her Goop Blog.

When my son, Moses, came into the world in 2006, I expected to have another period of euphoria following his birth, much the way I had when my daughter was born two years earlier. Instead I was confronted with one of the darkest and most painfully debilitating chapters of my life. For about five months I had, what I can see in hindsight as postnatal depression, and since that time, I have wanted to know more about it.

She has Dr's sharing information.
Dr. Laura Schiller - a New York city based OB/GYN and advice from psychologist and frequent GOOP contributor (and mother of two) Dr. Karen Binder-Brynes.

Also, her friend Bryce Dallas Howard - fellow actress, (Victoria on Twilight-Eclipse)

I recently saw an interview I did on TV while promoting a film. In it, I was asked about my experience with post-partum depression and as I watched, I cringed. I said things like “It was a nightmare,” or “I felt like I was in a black hole.” But I couldn’t even begin to express my true feelings. On screen, I had seemed so together, so okay, as if I had everything under control. As I watched, it dawned on me. If I had been able to truthfully convey my ordeal with post-partum depression under the glare of those lights, I most likely would have said no words at all. I simply would have stared at the interviewer with an expression of deep, deep loss.

a couple of book suggestions:
Brooke Shields “Down Came the Rain.”
Heather B. Armstrong “It Sucked and then I Cried,”

Bellies and Babies: Induction Increases the Risk of C-Section and C-Section increases Newborn Infection

Bellies and Babies: Induction Increases the Risk of C-Section and C-Section increases Newborn Infection

Induction Increases the Risk of C-Section and C-Section increases Newborn Infection

Induction Increases the Risk of C-Section and C-Section increases Newborn Infection
Posted by Nicole D. over at Wonderfully Made Bellies and Babies
http://wonderfullymadebelliesandbabies.blogspot.com/

Labor Induction and the Risk of a Cesarean Delivery Among Nulliparous Women at Term, a recent study published with the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (July 2010 - Volume 116 - Issue 1 - pp 35-42) gave the following conclusion:

Labor induction is significantly associated with a cesarean delivery among nulliparous women at term for those with and without medical or obstetric complications. Reducing the use of elective labor induction may lead to decreased rates of cesarean delivery for a population.
This makes for even more worrisome fodder, as the study also includes this information:

Labor induction was used in 43.6% of cases, 39.9% of which were elective.
Inductions for 43.6% of cases?! How many inductions are too many?? And, based on the information given just previously, how many of those resulted in maternal or newborn risk?

Another study printed with the National Academy of Sciences researched what microbiota habitat a newborn at birth... depending on their mode of birth. The small study found that:

those born vaginally tended to get colonized by bacteria such as Lactobacillus from the mother's vaginal canal. C-section babies, however, got more Staphylococcus, a type of microbe usually found on the skin and one that sometimes causes nasty infections. - "Babies' First Germs Depend On Type Of Birth", Chao Deng, NPR

So, in conclusion, to lower cesarean rates and increased risk of newborn strep infections, we should stop inducing for mundane reasons. To lower strep infections, lower the risk for newborn death, respiratory distress, incidences of autism and other SENs, and modestly lowered IQ scores, we need to stop inducing so much.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, people. Oh, the tangled web we weave.

Fantstic post Nicole D.
I love how you put the two new studies together to make them make even more sense! If only people would listen... Wendy - Mother, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Student Midwife, concerned citizen...

Why you shouldn't just 'TRY" to have an unmedicated birth!

I found this FANTASTIC post on the net at Birth Resource Network. This is so well said!

http://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/blog/why-you-shouldnt-try-to-have-an-unmedicated-birth/comment-page-1/#comment-759

Why you shouldn’t “try” to have an unmedicated birth.
by Doula

You will hear many women say they are going to “try” to have an unmedicated birth. To me, “trying” connotes sheer effort and endurance. What I hear women say when they say “try” is that they are just going to see how long they can stand the pain. My dictionary defines “to try” as “to make an attempt or effort”. What happens when you try something? Either you can succeed or fail.



There’s a lot of derisive talk out there about birth plans and women who “plan” an unmedicated birth – or really plan anything about their birth at all. There is a lot of fingerwaving about how birth is unpredictable and you can’t PLAN anything. After seeing a lot of births, I have to say I agree. My dictionary says to plan is to “decide on and arrange in advance” – you can’t really do that with your birth. What happens when you plan something? Maybe your plans work out, and maybe they don’t.



What I wish more women would say, and take ownership of, is that they are preparing for an unmedicated birth. My dictionary says ” to prepare” is “to make ready or able to do or deal with something”.This sounds just about right! Someone who is prepared does not fail or have plans not work out – they meet what comes with their goal in mind. They have made themselves ready to handle birth and any twists and turns they might meet on the way.



I encourage women to think of birth as a marathon – it is long, challenging, sometimes painful, sometimes exciting, and can be very rewarding. Many people regard having run a marathon as difficult, but very rewarding and a huge achievement. However, if you knew someone who told you that on Saturday they were going to “try” to run a marathon, you’d probably look at them a little askance. You’d start asking questions: “Have you practiced? Did you read up about marathoning and long-distance running? Do you know anything about the route?”



What would you think if they said, “I’m just going to start running and see how long I can stand it. There will be people along the way to tell me where to go.” You might have some more questions for them. “Don’t you think that at some point you’re going to get exhausted and want to quit? If you haven’t prepared, how will you have the resources to keep going? Wouldn’t you like to know something about the course – where the steep hills are, where to save your energy, where to expect things will be tough?”



If this person then tried to run a marathon, and dropped out at mile 10, or had a miserable time, and then told their friends how horrible marathons were and how stupid someone would have to be to go through that awful experience just to prove they were “tough”…wouldn’t you be skeptical about their opinion? And yet that’s where we’re at in a lot of ways. Many women see unmedicated birth as some kind of test that you pass via sheer endurance and “feminist masochism”, as one doctor in “The Business of Being Born” puts it. There’s often a vague, generalized perception that drug-free is “better”, but without much clear understanding of the actual risks of drugs. If you “try” to have the unmedicated birth and “fail”, then you have a lot invested in trying to convince people that this “test” is silly and has no bearing on your strength, motherhood, or womanhood (a position I agree with completely). I think many of the birth horror stories and dismissive “just take the epidural, honey, you’re gonna need it” comments that pregnant women here come from that place.



On the other hand, if you approach natural birth with the mindset that this is a rare and challenging event that you would like to fully experience, with interventions available whose risks you’d prefer to avoid, you can prepare for it. You can take classes, read, and find good coaches and support systems. You can remain flexible and open to changes in the situation. Let’s ditch this whole “trying” thing and switch to “preparing”.

author unknown

http://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/blog/why-you-shouldnt-try-to-have-an-unmedicated-birth/comment-page-1/#comment-759

"Madre De Muchos" - "Mother Of Many", by Emma Lazenby

Mother of Many - a short award winning annimated film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbx3ECKvt60


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QJpm00sCYo
February 21, 2010 — Sally Arthur and Emma Lazenby win Best Short Animation at the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2010.

Emma Lazenby's mother recently retired from a 30 year career as a Midwife. A day in the life of a midwife was theinspiration for this film.

Vernix - it's amazing stuff for your newborn!

http://roseysrelaxingremedies.co.uk/AmazingVernixandamnioticfluid.aspx


Why not to wash your new baby straight away...
Why to avoid artificial rupture of your membrances...

It turns out that vernix (the white stuff some babies are born with) and amniotic fluid have similar immune enhancing properties to breast milk... artificial rupturing of membranes can take away the amniotic fluid's protective capability. Cleaning your baby straight away can take away the immune protecting properties of vernix....




Source: Pubmed central.



http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1595247




ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF AMNIOTIC FLUID AND VERNIX CASEOSA ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND IN BREAST MILK




Akinbi, H. T., Narendran, V., Pass, A. K., Markart, P., & Hoath, S. B. (2004). Host defense proteins in vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 191(6), 2090–2096.
Summary

In this study, researchers analyzed samples of amniotic fluid and vernix caseosa (vernix) from healthy, term gestations to determine the immune properties of these substances. Participants were pregnant women admitted for elective cesarean section after 37 weeks gestation with no prior labor and no signs of chorioamnionitis (intrauterine infection). Women with a history of prenatal fever or premature rupture of membranes, or who received steroids prenatally or antibiotics while giving birth were excluded, as were women whose babies passed meconium in utero, had congenital malformations, or required prolonged resuscitation after birth. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis to determine fetal lung maturity prior to elective birth. Vernix was gently scraped from the newborn's skin with a sterile implement immediately following birth. The researchers obtained 10 samples of amniotic fluid and 25 samples of vernix.

Tests (Western analysis and immunochemistry) revealed that lysozyme, lactoferrin, human neutrophil peptides 1–3, and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor were present in the amniotic fluid samples and in organized granules embedded in the vernix samples. These immune substances were tested using antimicrobial growth inhibition assays and found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of common perinatal pathogens, including group B. Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans, and E. coli.




The authors point out that the innate immune proteins found in vernix and amniotic fluid are similar to those found in breast milk. As the baby prepares for extrauterine life, pulmonary surfactant (a substance produced by the maturing fetal lungs) increases in the amniotic fluid, resulting in the detachment of vernix from the skin. The vernix mixes with the amniotic fluid and is swallowed by the growing fetus. Given the antimicrobial properties of this mixture, the authors conclude that there is “considerable functional and structural synergism between the prenatal biology of vernix caseosa and the postnatal biology of breast milk” (p. 2095). They also suggest that better understanding of these innate host defenses may prove useful in preventing and treating intrauterine infection.




Significance for Normal Birth




Routine artificial rupture of membranes increases the likelihood of intrauterine infection because it eliminates the physical barrier (the amniotic sac) between the baby and the mother's vaginal flora. This study suggests an additional mechanism for the prevention of infection when the membranes remain intact: A baby bathed in amniotic fluid benefits from antimicrobial proteins that are found in the fluid and in vernix caseosa.




The results of this study also call into question the routine use of some newborn procedures. Early bathing of the baby removes vernix, which contains antimicrobial proteins that are active against group B. streptococcus and E. coli. Delaying the bath and keeping the newborn together with his or her mother until breastfeeding is established may prevent some cases of devastating infections caused by these bacteria. The fact that preterm babies tend to have more vernix than babies born at or after 40 weeks might mean that healthy, stable preterm babies derive even greater benefit from staying with their mothers during the immediate newborn period.




Finally, this study illustrates how the normal physiology of pregnancy and fetal development is part of a continuum that extends beyond birth to the newborn period. The immunologic similarities between amniotic fluid, vernix, and breast milk provide further evidence that successful initiation of breastfeeding is a critical part of the process of normal birth.