My Blog

Maternal Instincts in Overdrive-Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

11/30/2011 20:20:00

"An impulse or thought or image takes over your mind and feels like it will consume you. You perform certain tasks repetitively to ease your mind. You fret and obsess about your baby, things that can harm him, horrible images or scenes fill your head. Scared and confused you try to understand where these thoughts came from?"

Unfortunately, this is a common scene for a postpartum mom dealing with obsessive compulsive issues. According to Postpartum Support International signs of Postpartum OCD may include:

Obsessions-Recurring, persistent and disturbing thoughts, ideas and images (such as accidents, harm that may come to baby, frightening images)Intrusive thoughts, fears and scenes and the inability to stop or control them. This can also include fear of being alone with baby.

Compulsions-The urge to do something over and over to reduce fear, to avoid harming baby, or to create protection for baby(putting knives away, constant checking on baby, excessive cleaning or sterilizing).

Hyper vigilance- constant checking(not being able to sleep or being in a constant state of fight or flight to protect baby).

Often a sense of horror about the obsessions or compulsions.

Many moms experience these feelings and thoughts and when seeking information or help they don't know where to turn. They look for information but the baby books only talk about postpartum depression and anxiety, sometimes mentioning postpartum psychosis. They don't feel "depressed" or "psychotic" so now what? Scared to turn to their healthcare provider and finding incomplete information on their own, they often feel isolated and alone.

According to Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit organization comprised of mental health professionals and volunteers with members all over the world, Postpartum Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed of the perinatal disorders. As many as 2-5% of new mothers are thought to experience OCD symptoms.

The good news is Postpartum OCD is treatable and there is support available in the community, if not locally than through a site such as Postpartum Support International. Many women feel scared and embarrassed about their thoughts. It is important for them to know that it is not their fault and that they can get the help they need to stop the suffering and start enjoying their time with their new baby.

The 3 month old. Yay, we made it!

11/07/2011 21:02:00

If you've experienced any challenges postpartum it can be such a rewarding feeling when you realize your baby is three months old! Now, you will be moving from the blur of feedings, night wakings, and diaper changes to the wondering of what to do with this little constantly changing companion. Below I've listed some of the milestones you'll see at 3 months that might help you keep up!

Big Developmental Milestone: Grasping

Take advantage of this new skill by offering a lot of different textures and items to grasp. Including care givers clothes, hair, baby books, etc. If the baby is flat on the back it will stimulate the tonic reflex and baby will turn head to the side and close hands. Better to have baby slightly propped/semi-upright on the floor or in a lap. If baby continues to grasp with a tight fist you can gently stroke the back of babies hand to stimulate a reflex to uncurl fingers.

Use-lightweight rattles, material, black and white contrasts, baby book pages

Developmental Milestone: Supporting weight

Encourage this skill by holding baby in your lap and letting baby stand up. Baby can now bear a lot of weight . Remember to support for balance. Hold babies feet in your hands and lean the weight against your chest as baby looks over your shoulder. Do this while sitting on the bed or couch for safety. Also, roll baby over from tummy time play and hold babies hands and gradually pull baby to sitting position. Allow head and trunk to gently lift together.

Developmental Milestone: Contingency Play

Baby is learning cause and effect and that an action makes something else happen. “I kick that mobile and it moves.” Encourage this new pattern of thinking by giving various environments to test, changing out toys and moving items around.

Developmental Milestone: Vocalization

Baby sounds increase, baby starts to experiment with the way the tongue and mouth move. Greet babies cries with a gentle whisper and usually baby will modulate his tone. Enjoy talking and making sounds together. Go slowly and let baby mimic your mouth movements. Remember to give baby a “turn” when talking.

After a lot of stimulating activities allow plenty of quiet alert times. Lay a blanket down outside and listen together. Try out different surfaces to sit and lie on. The natural and healthy ebb and flow of a babies day should include stimulation and quiet recovery periods.

When there's no joy in the bundle.

07/22/2011 21:18:00

I've personally dealt with and known many mamas that have suffered and are suffering with postpartum mood disorders. Mood disorders range from mild postpartum depression and anxiety to extreme cases of postpartum psychosis requiring medical intervention. Common symptoms of PPMD include:

• Depressed mood or mood swings with exaggerated highs and lows.

• Crying and irritability.

• Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities.

• Lack of interest in sex.

• Difficulty with memory, concentrating, and making decisions.

• Psychomotor agitation or retardation.

• Fatigue, sluggishness, and feeling exhausted.

• Changes in appetite or sleep. Insomnia.

• Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide.

• Intrusive &/or unwanted thoughts.

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, especially failure at motherhood.

• Lack of interest in the baby.

• Excessive anxiety over child's health

It's estimated that 80% of postpartum moms deal with some mood disorder in varying degrees in the days, weeks and months following the birth of their baby. Some moms even experience symptoms prenatally with the change in hormones brought on by pregnancy. It's vitally important that moms seek support and know they are not alone when dealing with mood disorders. Any Baby Can-512-334-4444, in Austin, hosts a weekly postpartum support group for moms. Facilitated by Dr. Kelly Boyd, licensed clinical psychologist, this is a free group and is often under utilized as an amazing support and resource in the community. If you need it, there it is. If you know someone else who needs the support, please pass this resource on to them. I like to make sure mamas have the information about PPMDs and the help available BEFORE they might need it. Just in case.

Time

04/26/2011 19:40:00

Well, I've found that I spend a lot more time holding babies than writing about them. Apparently blogging doesn't seem a priority to me when compared to holding and caring for mommas and babies. But something about finishing up with a family this week prompted me to want to sit and write about it.

For their privacy I'll only mention a little bit of our experience together. I've been with this family longer than a normal term. Usually two to six weeks is about the average time we spend together. This allows us enough time to work out breastfeeding issues, newborn care, get momma feeling strong and and daddy confident. But this family had some extenuating circumstances that had me with them since October. Today, alas, it was time for me to say goodbye to them. It was really bittersweet, as much of life with little ones can be. Not wanting to say goodbye the sweet momma and I fumbled a bit at the door, making small talk after weeks of talking about such intimacies as infant and adult bodily fluids and functions! We managed a decent goodbye and I drove away. Only to receive a short text moments later. "Thank you for getting us through it!"

Nice.

Postpartum Bliss

08/14/2010 23:25:00

I always knew I loved babies. I love everything about them. The way they smell, the way they feel, the way they look at you and through you in the most intelligent yet unconcerned sort of way. What I didn't realize for a long time is just how much I love seeing babies with their mommas. Snuggled in tight, breastfeeding into the land of nod. There is an amazing peacefulness surrounding this scene.

For many though, this postpartum time is very challenging. Those images of peace and newborn serenity are often replaced with sleep deprivation, engorged breasts and anxiety. I know very well the feeling that comes when you do everything right to prepare for your new baby and it is not enough. I took the prenatals, excercised, went religiously to the checkups with the midwife, ate right, and even visualized my postpartum bliss. Yet still...something, somewhere went awry. Maybe it was the hormone adjustment, lack of sleep, or the right support or maybe some combination of all of the above. Whatever it was, it was certainly NOT postpartum bliss! It was a torturous time and I swore that I didn't want anyone else to feel the way I had.

So, some years later, and after a huge calling to figure out how I wanted to help other mommas, many lessons learned about the causes and cures, I know there are many measures you can take for reducing the duration and severity of postpartum depression, anxiety and mood disorders and many things that can be done to prevent it completely. One important component to prevention is to have a support person, such as a Postpartum Doula, in place. Often just three nights of uninterrupted sleep can reset your clock, and your moods, to get you back on the right track. You want someone who will take care of the domestic tasks for a few days, run your errands, encourage you and quietly care for you, your baby and your home. Additionally, in home breastfeeding support, adequate nutrition and someone with the resources to guide you in the right direction is invaluable as you navigate your way through a rich and rewarding time with your new baby!