Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2015 | Page 23

NEW
good mom, or ashamed that you
cannot care for your baby.
• Fear of being left alone with
the baby
• Trouble sleeping when your baby
sleeps (more than the lack of sleep
new moms usually get). Sleeping
too much, difficulty falling or stay-
ing asleep
• Feeling numb or disconnected
from your baby, family, and friends
• Difficulty concentrating, remem-
bering details, or making decisions
• Having scary or negative thoughts
about the baby, like thinking some-
one will take your baby away or hurt
your baby.
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or
the baby (if this happens, get im-
mediate help- call 911, tell a close
relative or family member, or go to
your doctor).
If these warning signs or symptoms
last longer than 2 weeks, you may need
to get help.
What causes it?
PPD may be associated with:
• A change in hormone levels after
childbirth
• Previous experience of depression
or anxiety
• Family history of depression or
mental illness
• Stress involved in caring for a
newborn and managing new
life changes
• Having a challenging baby who
cries more than usual, is hard to
comfort, or whose sleep and hun-
ger needs are irregular and hard
to predict
• Having a baby with special needs
(premature birth, medical compli-
cations, illness)
• First-time motherhood, very young
motherhood, or older motherhood
• Other emotional stressors, such as
the death of a loved one or family
problems
• Financial or employment problems
• Isolation and lack of social support
Effects the Entire Family:
Children of mothers with postpartum
depression can; become withdrawn,
irritable, or inconsolable. They may
display an insecure attachment and
behavioral problems, experience prob-
lems in cognitive, social, and emotional
development, and have a higher risk of
anxiety disorders and major depression
in childhood and adolescence.
What about Fathers?
Fathers can also be depressed in the
postpartum period, especially if the
mother is depressed or if the father is
not satisfied with the marital relationship
or with life after the birth of the child.
Approximately 4% of fathers
experience depression in the first year
of their child’s life. Moreover, by a
child’s 12th birthday, 21% of fathers will
have experienced one or more episodes
of depression.
in the
East End
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Baby Clothes,
Accessories &
Baby Gear for
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What to do:
If you think you may be suffering from
PPD, don’t face it alone—Seek help
from a psychologist or other mental
health provider or contact your doctor.
Talk openly about your feelings
with your partner, other mothers,
friends, and relatives. Recruit relatives
or close friends who can help you take
care of the baby.
Get as much sleep or rest as you
can. Once you have gotten clearance
from your doctor, try to exercise regu-
larly. Try not to worry about unimport-
ant tasks and cut down on less impor-
tant responsibilities—be realistic about
what you can do while taking care of a
new baby.
References:
Public Interest Directorate, Women’s programs
office (2014). Postpartum Depression. Retrieved
from The American Psychological Association
website: apa.org.
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center
for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion (2013). Depression among women of
reproductive age. Retrieved from The Centers of
Disease Control and Prevention website: cdc.gov
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109 Mullet Bay Road, St. Georges
Opposite the playground
Telephone: [phone]
STORE HOURS
Tues, Thurs, Fri: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Sat: 11:30am – 7:00pm
Continued on page 22
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