North Atlanta's Trusted, Personalized Women's Health Care

New mothers are frequently reticent to discuss the myriad of changes that come with having a new baby in the home.  "I feel bad because my baby is perfect, and all I want to do is cry", many women share these feelings and hesitate to discuss this with their physician or midwife.  Sometimes the patient will be reluctant to even tell family members.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all women be screened for PPD ( postpartum depression) due recent data indicating that as many as 1 in 7 women will experience PPD and it will be the first episode of depression in 50% of these patients.  In fact research demonstrates that many women begin in the latter stages of pregnancy.
The etiology of PPD is many fold: feeling overwhelmed after bringing the baby home, and the significant change in lifestyle and interaction with the outside world.  Significant hormone changes from the high hormone levels during pregnancy to very low levels PP directly lower mood regulating serotonin.  Fatigue from the 24 hour care of newborn. Physical changes in the PP period.
Treatments range from psychologic counseling, getting outside help and support, and medication when needed.  Many medications are fine in breastfeeding mothers.

Bottom line is Get Help if You Need It!!  Please do not suffer in silence.