Treatment and Prevention
If you're experiencing postpartum depression or the "baby blues" you should take care of yourself by getting adequate rest, eating a nutritious diet, exercising in moderation, and accessing your social support system. Listen and respond to your body's cues for rest. If possible, get some rest during the day while the baby is napping. You may also need to call on friends, family, or a hired caregiver to help care for the baby so you can rest.
If you're suffering from postpartum depression, you should also seek early treatment with a doctor so you can have a more rapid recovery. Treatment methods vary and may include counseling, antidepressant medication, antianxiety medication, and hormone therapy. Support groups may also be very helpful. Concerned family members should discuss these symptoms with the family doctor if the new mother does not want to speak with the doctor herself.
In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Usually, the baby will be admitted with the mother or taken in for visits. The goal of treatment for postpartum psychosis is to keep mother and baby safe and to preserve the mother's sense of competence as a parent while she recovers.
Some antidepressants can enter breast milk and affect the baby's health. However, this is not the case with all antidepressants. If you want to continue breast-feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist about medications that are safe to use while breast-feeding.
The good news is that there's a very high recovery rate for postpartum depression. While some women may have a longer-lasting experience with depression, most women will find that the condition improves in a few months with appropriate treatment.
Melanie N. Smith, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.