IN THIS EPISODE:
I was referred to our guest speaker (Robin Forgione) by my Obstetrician, and thought it would be really beneficial to bring her on the podcast since she’s helped me work through one of the hardest times in my life. She held a space for me where I was able to say whatever I was thinking, and had the knowledge, tools, and resources to properly support me. Remember when listening to this episode that if you are struggling with symptoms while pregnant or postpartum, you should seek the care and guidance from your doctors so they can choose the best plan of action for YOU. In this episode Robin will share with us the different types of clinicians that are available, and why if you’re going through any postpartum issues, why it’s more beneficial to seek the support from someone in a specialized field. I think it’s important to note, that Dads may also be going through their own struggles bringing this new baby into the family. They too see counselors alone, or as a couple. Although Robin has seen clients with depression, the main theme Robin has seen with pregnant patients is anxiety. And a lot of the time it’s because they’ve had a history of anxiety that may have contributed to it. As far as postpartum, the bulk of patients that she sees struggles with depression and anxiety, and some OCD. Although some women may not know this, if you do suffer from depression/anxiety or have a history of depression/anxiety there are medications that are safe to take while pregnant and nursing. Some women think they need to get off their meds, but that isn’t always the case. Robin says she has actually seen women do better if they don’t get off the medication once they find out they’re pregnant. Again, this is all under the direction of YOUR doctor.
Most important things Robin thinks a mom should have for support:
Identify a support network that you can talk to
Good dialogue with your partner
FLEXIBLE MINDSET
MANTRA: You’re doing a REALLY good job.
DEFINITIONS:
Baby blues: Most new mothers — up to 80% — experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness and irritability, during the first few weeks after baby is born. Often referred to as the Baby Blues, this is a normal adjustment as pregnancy and postpartum hormones calibrate. Symptoms usually last 2-3 weeks and resolve without medical intervention. Learn more about the baby blues.
Depression: women experiencing depression during pregnancy or the first year postpartum might have feelings of anger, sadness, irritability, guilt, lack of interest in the baby, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of harming the baby or herself. Learn more about depression including risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.
A woman with anxiety may experience extreme worries and fears, often over the health and safety of the baby. Some women have panic attacks and might feel shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, a feeling of losing control, and numbness and tingling. Learn more about anxiety, including risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.
Psychosis: Individuals experiencing psychosis sometimes see and hear voices or images that others can’t, called hallucinations. They may believe things that aren’t true and distrust those around them. They may also have periods of confusion and memory loss, and seem manic. This severe condition is dangerous so it is important to seek help immediately.Postpartum psychosis is a very serious emergency and requires immediate medical help.
RESOURCES:
PSI
Post Partum Support International
https://www.postpartum.net/
Karen Kleiman
https://postpartumstress.com/
Moms Supporting Moms Support Group - Raleigh
https://safechildnc.org/welcome-baby-msm/
Books:
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
This Isn't What I Expected, Surviving Postpartum Depression
both by Karen Kleiman
The 4th Trimester
by Kimberly Ann Johnson
