How did you find help for PPD?

missmiss307 · May 2011

After some encouragement from DH, I am planning to call my OB tomorrow to ask about PPD. Just wondering if this is a good route to take. I've had so much happen in the past month, and it's just overwhelming. I'm not sure that I need medication to treat this, but I feel like I need to at least talk to someone about it.

On April 3, I had Noah. He was sent to the NICU for what we eventually found out was an infection ... and after a week of flu-like symptoms, realized that I also had the same infection. Through that week he was in NICU and me being sick, I pumped BM multiple times per day. Once he was out of NICU, I had trouble getting him to latch on and continued pumping but was not producing the amount I should have been by that point (the most was about 2 oz. total).

My father had been sick for some time, and my family was pressuring me to come visit once Noah was born. Because he had some health issues related to his NICU stay, I felt like I needed to at least make it past his 2-week appointment before I took that kind of road trip with him (about a four-hour drive, so I wanted to double check with his pedi that it was OK). My dad ended up passing away the morning of his appointment.

After he passed away, DH strongly encouraged me to go on down to be with my family. He could only come down the day of the funeral, so that meant I made the trip with our two-week old baby by myself. It was nice to be around family, but that trip was rough. Noah also didn't rest well while we were at my mom's house because there were people around being noisy constantly, and everyone wanted to see the new baby.

At some point during this, I also had a lactation consultation. They seemed to think that stress was causing me to not produce enough milk. I was going crazy trying to pump every few hours to keep Noah getting at least SOME BM, but I was seriously sometimes only pumping half an ounce TOTAL. It was so discouraging, and it was stressing me out. I ended up deciding to stop trying because it was almost making me sick with stress. I definitely have felt a lot of guilt from this decision, even knowing that formula feeding is perfectly OK.

After my dad's funeral, which was an incredibly emotional event, of course, DH and I caravaned back to the town where we live -- Tuscaloosa. Most of you probably recognize the name of that town from the national news lately. Yep, the following week after my dad's funeral, our town was struck by a massive tornado. We were incredibly lucky because our house was undamaged even though the tornado passed probably within a quarter mile of us. But the damage to the town is really devastating. It's particularly hard on me, I think, because I've lived here for 10 years and went to college here. Everywhere we go, there's destruction. That by itself is pretty depressing.

In addition, Noah has been having to get bloodwork done multiple times per week for an electrolyte imbalance. He finally had an appointment with a specialist on Wednesday, and it looks like we are nearing a resolution that won't be too life-altering for any of us.

Thanks to all this combined, plus Noah's tendency to be pretty fussy at times, I feel pretty anxious and overwhelmed a lot of the time. I definitely have my up moments where I actually feel like I am a decent mother and can handle everything, but I seem to have at least one or two times a day where I just want to curl up in a ball on the bed and cry myself to sleep.

I really didn't intend to make this so long, but if you've made it this far, kudos. If not, hopefully you at least saw my initial question!

ksspiff · May 2011

oh sweetheart ~big hug~ you have been through a lot.

Just this afternoon I set up an appointment with my OB for ppd. That is the first step I'm taking.

lindsaym697 · May 2011

First, let me say, I will be thinking of you and know all too well the road you are on. I am having our fourth child. With all 3 of my previous, I had PPD. It got worse with each delivery. Originally, I just started with my OB, but I have found they are quick to prescribe, but give very little emotional support. I started seeing a therpist and it was very helpful. It was nice to be able to say things that I could never say to my husband, family, etc. Very cleansing of the soul. Know you are not alone, and this happens to many of us. One additional thing I would add, I was on zoloft for just about a year after my last baby. The doctor said it was the only one I could take while breastfeeding. While I am not sure if it helped, It was HORRIBLE to get off of. I was so sick; headaches, no sleep, electrical zaps in my head, crying ALL THE TIME. This is why I think maybe seeing both your OB and an additional provider may be the best way to go. Good luck to you.

snansley · May 2011

Holy hell, you have been through a lot. I am so sorry. I called my OB and she gave me the number of the therapist her group works with. My OB is managing my medication and I am seeing the therapist. It is helping immensely. OBs see a lot of women struggling with postpartum issues so s/he will likely have some referrals and resources lined up.

ruthiewith · May 2011

I am so sorry you're going through so much. (((Hugs)))) I went to my doc last week who prescribed me a low dose anti-anxiety/depression med and I have my first appt. with a therapist tomorrow. You're not alone and I think seeing the OB is a first good step, as well as seeing a therapist.

JameRoo430 · May 2011

I am so sorry you have been through so much!! I wasn't sure where to start either and went to my OB and he prescribed zoloft. I felt MUCH better soon after and was stupid enough to think I didn't need it anymore and went off of it without my doctor's approval or weening! (I hate taking medication and thought how much can a medication really help anyway and thought that I shouldn't need it. Luckily I was fine physically but about a month later I started having really horrible suicidal thought and thoughts of abandoning my amazing family! I saw the doctor again and got back on the medication and now, 5 months later I am weening myself off and starting to have bad thoughts again! So medication might sound like it couldn't do much or you wouldn't need it but it could be your savior!

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