Postpartum Depression - Not Just For Moms Anymore

According to this article in the New York Times, new dad can experience postpartum depression, too. One study on the subject cites that "4 percent of fathers had clinically significant depressive symptoms within eight weeks of the birth of their children." I haven't really thought of this before, but it makes sense.

Women start mentally and physically preparing for motherhood the minute we find out we're pregnant. We're tired and can't drink, so pregnancy already necessitates a life-style change. Fathers are on the sideline while the moms grow, and start bonding, with their babies. Yes, many dads are very involved, but seeing your child once or twice through an ultrasound and feeling him do daily somersaults in your stomach are very different.

Through labor and delivery, and once the newborn arrives, much of the attention is still on the moms. If a baby is breastfed exclusively, a dad is unable even to feed his new child. Adding to that pressure to keep the family financially stable, lack of sleep and less intimacy, I could see how this could cause alienation and depression.

Thanks to the New York Times for bringing awareness to this issue. The author suggests psychotherapy and antidepressants as solutions. Although neither MacDad and I suffered postpartum depression, we did experience growing pains with the addition of our new family member. As such, I would include time as a healing factor. New born babies are hard. In my experience, it gets easier.

Postpartum Depression - Should All New Moms Be Screened?

Time magazine has an article debating whether all new moms should be screened for postpartum depression (PPD). A new law, which passed the Senate and is heading for the House, will mandate the funding of research, education and public-service announcements against PPD along with services for women who have it. Those against the law beleive it will be an opportunity for doctors to over-prescribe new moms.

I was fortunate enough not to experience clinical PPD. During MacBaby's first month of life, in between streches of adoring my newborn, I cried plenty and yelled at MacDad for no good reason. I attribute this to extreme fatigue. But, I never contimplated jumping out of a window.

Screening, though, seems like the correct thing to do. While my familiarity with the condition extends only to a public war of words between Tom Crusie and Brooke Shields and what the Parents as Teachers Lady and Nutbag Lactation Lady told me (it's chemical, not character, repeated 3x), those suffering PPD need the support of their medical advisors. The first forray into motherhood (and I'd imagine the second and third) is taxing enough, I couldn't imagine taking care of a newborn while battling depression as well. So, yes, I'm for the Mothers Act!