Post Natal Depression

Postpartum depression is actually VERY common. It's best to get help NOW, before it gets out of control. Most of the time, the stories you see on TV of mothers killing or abandoning their children are of mothers who suffered from undiagnosed postpartum depression. It's very sad, because it is treatable.

You should be able to contact any hospital's maternity ward, and get all sorts of information on how to find help.

If it's not postpartum depression, she may be a bit embarrassed, but if she is a close friend she will understand that you were only worried about her and the baby.

Better safe than sorry!

If she is rejecting the baby, she needs to talk to her doctor immediately. She will most likely need to go on antidepressants. Zoloft is safe to take while nursing. It is definitely not too early and the longer she waits, the worse it will get.

She should also find a local support group for moms with postpartum depression. Most likely her doctor can direct her to one. They often offer groups like these through the hospital where you deliver.

Assuming she lives near Albany, CA, here is one group that might help: http://www.meetup.com/Parents-Struggling-with-PPD-Support... However, I strongly suggest finding a group facilitated by an actual nurse, therapist or other medical professional.

I can't stress enough how important it is that she sees her doctor immediately. She needs to call and be seen on Monday. Good luck. Offer her as much help and support as you can right now. She'll need it.

It really sounds like PPD but how do you think she would react if you suggested that? It would be great if you knew someone who had gone thru this, do you? you could talk about that person and mention that you see her acting in similar ways but friend Janie got help and now everything is fine and dandy. or if you could introduce her to someone who had been thru this..? I might be tempted to make up a story about a cousin or friend (who lives far away) who seems to be suffering from PPD ask her what she thinks about your imaginary friend, ask her what you could say to get that friend to a counselor/doctor without hurting her feelings. I hope you can help your friend!

Okay first of all its post partum depression, I believe. This women needs to see her dr ASAP. When you approach her, you need to assure her that what she is experiencing is normal, and will pass, but she needs to see someone and most likely take some medicine to help her through it. As far as Andrea Yates goes, people should really get their info straight before posting, Andrea Yates suffered from Post partum Psycosis, but she was also a Scizafrenic, sorry I cannot spell, lol. That women was severly mentally ill prior to having children, She should have never been allowed to. Your friend sounds like she is having the normal Post partum Depression, where you feel disconnected from your baby, you are afraid of them, You are afraid to be alone, and just feel constant panic, which trust me when I tell you, I could not eat sleep or function. However the one thing that drove me crazy was when my dr asked me if I wanted to harm my baby???? I was not INSANE I was depressed. Make sure you are very sympathetic, she needs to feel like people are supporting her and not judging her. The worst feeling to me was I felt like such a failure as a mom, Why was I feeling this way, how could a mother not want to hold her new baby? It was awful, however it only lasted a few weeks. though it felt like forever. I went on Paxil and when it kicked in I was a new women, I was right back to myself, The only thing was I never wanted to put my baby down, so she got quite spoiled, lol, and she still sleeps with me and she is 8. Please Please help your friend, read her my story, tell her how brooke shields suffered as well, she can get her book. Good luck, and I pray she is boding with her baby soon!!!

I had PPD really bad after my last one. I didn't want to hurt my baby or anyone else but the depression was debilitating. Tryn getting her to talk to you, or someone and really open up so she knows she is normal, and getting help is ok. It can be hard to approach someone, but someone needs to.

She definitely needs help. The two possible tacks I recommend are:

1. Can you talk to her husband? Tell her you're really concerned and offer to watch the baby while he takes her to a dr?

2. Can you tell her something along the lines of, "This is really normal, a lot of people feel that way, but you really need to see a doctor. I know a fantastic doctor who can help, I'll give you a ride"?

Postpartum mental issues can be *serious.* My (now-former) SIL had some very, very serious problems after the birth of her son. I don't want to go into details, since her case wasn't standard-fare, and I don't want to be alarmist, but I will tell you that your friend needs all the help she get. Please do what you can.

Mira

You can try contacting the hospital where she gave birth. The hospital where I gave birth to my younger two children made it a policy to call the mothers a week or two after giving birth for a wellness check. They were checking for signs of postpartum depression. This could at least be a starting point for your friend.

Your friend definitely sounds like she is suffering from postpartum depression. Or she is at high risk for depression. I hope she gets some help.

No, it's not too early at all. It sounds like she has it.

sounds like this is serious depression !! get this woman some help before she hurts herself or her baby ! does her family have a history of post birth mental illness ?? andrea yates had the same symptoms..depression, rejecting her baby, severe anxiety etc. dont leave this woman alone until you are certain that she is better !!
K. h.