Has anyone dealt with postpartum depression?

[babylonsister]

My daughter-in-law had her third child in Feb. She called this a.m. in tears and needs help. She's been feeling suicidal and was rushed to the emergency room, after which she was sent to some mental health facility. She said it was absolutely awful, she can't go back, she's at her wit's end.
I'm going to try to get there ASAP to keep her company.
She did try to get an appointment with her doctor when the feelings overcame her, but there were no openings. :eyes:
She's was put on something (Xanax?) that doesn't do anything for her. She's now trying something else but it supposedly takes awhile to kick in.
Any thoughts? I'm fairly freaked out; I live in Houston and heard the Andrea Yates stories seemingly forever. At least she recognizes she has a problem and is trying to deal with it.
Thanks.

[KitchenWitch]

1. I had post partum depression after both of my children

My second child was born 3 weeks before 9-11-01. I ended up on an antidepressant for awhile in order to cope. Just so you are aware, most antidepressants do not take much effect until 2 weeks after a person starts taking them, so you will probably need to keep a close eye on her until it does take effect. Are you sure it was Xanax they put her on (that is a mild tranquilizer given to folks with anxiety disorders - I take it so I can get on airplanes.)

[babylonsister]

2. No, KitchenWitch, I'm not sure at all. I do recall her saying she

was given a drug that wasn't working, and thought it was Xanax, so that would fit. She's now on something that will take awhile to 'kick in'. In the meantime, the call for help went out, which I'm so glad about! She won't be left alone through July the way it's working out.
And she told me her worst times are at night, I think because then she has time to think. I'll get there and chew her ears off chatting, or watching TV, or whatever it takes. OR, giving the baby a bottle now that he's off the boob. She could also be majorly sleep-deprived.
It will work out, and thank you for your response.
BTW, she had PPD after her second baby also (not as severe), but not after the first. I wonder why our parents never seemed to have this?

[Dora]

3. Is breastfeeding completely out of the picture?

I'm not an expert. But when I had my son last year, I learned that breastfeeding helps with fluctuating hormone levels which contributes to PPD. :shrug:

I did experience some PPD, and the worst of it was in the 2-3 weeks after birth. I think it was from a combination of hormones and fatigue exacerbated by too-frequent nursing (I bought a pacifier on my docs recommendation, and was thrilled with the results). However, I wasn't suicidal and I'm also resistant to seeing a doctor when I'm depressed.

I remember beginning to feel much better when I took the time to feed myself well, drink enough, and get enough sleep. If she's not sleeping when the baby is sleeping, then she should start doing that. Hire out the laundry if she can afford it, hire out the cleaning or let the carpets and clutter go for as long as necessary. Fatigue does terrible things to an already burdened mind. And guilt from thinking "the house is a mess" just adds gas to the fire of an already low self-esteem.

Good nutrition is paramount. Prepared foods are convenient, but they are also often loaded with additives that make us feel worse. When you visit her, perhaps you can help by stocking her fridge and pantry with healthy foods. Try keeping ready-made salad mixes and tasty dressings on hand, cheese cubes, good quality lunchmeat (turkey, ham, beef), multi-grain breads, fruits, and vegetables. Low-sodium canned chicken for chicken salad sandwiches was my favorite, and canned tuna, and salmon are also useful. If she likes sardines, those are an excellent choice of protein and EFAs (I like the packed-in-mustard variety). Peanut butter, all-fruit spreads, honey, and fruit makes a good snack. I do recommend that she eliminate all soft drinks, diet drinks, powdered drinks, etc. Stick to water, milk or soymilk, juices, teas, and yes, even coffee (in moderation). I continued to take my prenatal vitamin until just a couple of months ago when I switched to a regular multi-vitamin.

Here's a :hug: for her.

[KitchenWitch]

4. I think some of our parents probably did

but there was such a stigma attached to things like depression (and lack of treatment modalities) that people in our parents' generation just clenched their teeth and carried on.

[LiberalinNC]

5. My first reaction to your daughter-in-law is to find a new doctor!

Any doctor that wouldn't make time to see a deeply depressed new mom, need to lose his license, IMO.

That is good she sees that she has a problem, and thankfully you are there to help her. Good luck!