Post Partum Depression - Meridian,ID

There is a meeting here in salt lake of Postpartum Support International. Their website is http://www.postpartum.net/
A local contact is:
UTAH STATE COORDINATOR: GINGER LAW
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center
1050 E. S. Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
9483 S. 2700 W.
South Jordan, UT 84095
Telephone: ###-###-####

Mine didn't hit until about 7 months. I too was sleeping very very little. I found the sleep deprevation just made everything worse.

I can't imagine going on that kind of sleep AND working! That is insane! I thought I was going to die and I was a SAHM at the time.

Can you look into some sort of help? Even if you have a family member stay over a few nights so you can get some rest.

((hugs)) I can't imagine mama!

I don't usually respond to these but felt motivated to yours.
It is a full time job raising children and I can imagine with 2 babies and 2 other children, it would be like working overtime 7 days a week. For the health of yourself and your family, can you consider hiring a manager to run your daycare? If not permanently, maybe for the next 6 months while you take care of the babies and yourself. You need to be able to take a nap when the babies take naps. Eat healthy whole foods, drink lots of water, take good vitamin supplements, take relaxing baths, go out for a few hours with a close friend (without the kids) and talk to a health care practioner that knows alot about nutritional health (you may be lacking a vitamin or mineral along with the stress of not enough sleep & rest). This is the first time I've responded to one of these, but I want you to know since I felt so moved to respond it means I will pray for you.
God Bless
S.
p.s. if you would like a referral of a wonderful Naturpath Dr. let me know, I go see a lady who's helped me alot and she specializes in nutrition.

I think the exhaustion can sometimes trigger "the blues" which is probably what you have. Post partum can come later after birth, I think, but it's usually related to hormones, not fatigue. So I would try to get some help if you can, and most definitely get more sleep. When I get less sleep, I am much more irritable and sad. I cry easier, and I snap easier. Your body just needs more rest--do you have and family or friends who can give you a break? Also, remember that this will pass--your babies will get older and sleep better, and you will feel better too. Even if you could take a day off from work, stay home, get organized, and take a nice long nap, it would do wonders for you. Good luck--and know that all of us weary mothers are right there with you!

Definatly go talk to your doctor... I have suffered PPD with all three of my children. After the second child it didnt set in for months when she had colic. I almost gave both of my kids up for adoption because I had, had PPD and didn't realize it. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep you need it. Take a nap with the kids when you dont have the daycare kids. Let the house work go for a day you need to chill out. As a single mom now of three kids I know you feel you have to stay on top or be buried, but that is not the case. PPD is something that does set in some time after birth. My four month old was born two months early so I was in the nicu with alot of moms of twins, the doctors told us that parents of premature babies and twins are more likely to suffer from PPD so please go get it checked before it goes to far.

W.,
My doctor told me it is very common for postparum depression to set in months after the birth of a child. I suggest you talk to you doctor about how you have been feeling lately. There are some antidepressants avail. now that no longer have all the undesired side affects like being sleepy all the time or weight gain and low sex drive. It never hurts to ask you docs opinion! Hope you get feeling better soon!!

I W. H. I had it bad when I had my two babies one is 4 years old then the othe one is almost 2 on the 23 of this month any way I had so bad that I was felling like my oldest when she was a new born I would lock my self in the bathroom while I was living with my parents with my husband and they where ready to brake the door down I was always crying and couldnt understand why I felt this way but hun its sucks it will get better I promise it took a while for me my daughter to me still I fell she is pushing me away from her and I think its because I couldnt bound with her when she was a baby I tryed dont get me wrong I did what I had to everyday but it was hard and it was nice haven some one there with me at all times so they could take her for a while so I can get a breather I was so depresed that I was ready to end my own life but I looked at my daughter and thats what stop me any way my sec one was better cause I did bound with her and she was mommies little girl but now shes becomeing daddies little girl but I fell like she still loves me and just think about the loved ones and like your babies and look in to there eyes and see what you made and it will make you fell better tickle them all you can make them laugh or cue that will make your day better just love them with all your heart give it some time and with them being sick take them to the docters and have them give you something to help them sleep and ask your docter what you can do about the baby blues maybe they can sajust something for you hope things go we'll for you let me know what happend down the road your truly A. l.

It sounds like depression due to your situation. The babies have been sick for awhile and your exhausted. Who wouldn't be depressed? Hang in there, it will get easier.

W., when I look at all the things you're dealing with right now, I would say that you are most likely exhausted and overwhelmed! You probably never had these issues with your first two because (1) they were single births and (2) now you have four!

If you are sad and down even after the babies get over their colds, it's time to sit your husband down and explain things to him. DO NOT hesitate to seek your doctor's opinion at that point. Depression is no longer something to be ashamed of and it's way more common than you think.

Take care--
J.

you are exhausted and when that happens it is very easy to get depressed. I had it with my second child and didnt realize it. I had to go back to work when he was little unlike with his older brother that I took almost two years off. I had a hard time dealing he had RSV twice and wasnt all that healthy for the year of his life and I was exhausted from lack of sleep and anxiety over his health. You need rest I know that sounds almost impossible but you do. Call a sister an inlaw, your mother somebody have them come stay with the kids on the weekend LEAVE THE HOUSE get some rest. I went to a hotel room or traded houses with my mom for the weekend. Talk to your doctor get a mild sedative or a sleeping pill, Xanex worked for me I only had 4 I took one of them and slept for 16 hours straight by the time I got home Sunday night I felt much better just a few days out of thier lives wont hurt them and you need this more than you think. You have to remove yourself in order to relax you wont be able to do it in the house even if you have help. If you husband is home he can help but most are not much help, my dad had a trucking company and was OTR to california and back east he wasnt much help to my step mom when he was home. Try to get out of the house if you can.

I never had PPD with my first three kids, but with my last (which were twins) I did get it and not until they were almost 7 months. It was almost like having two babies was so time consuming I didn't have a chance to be depressed right away. I am one of those who can decide not to get sick until I can afford it, like everyone else is well or it is weekend. Definatly get it checked out, a little counseling and some short term meds worked great. Good luck.

I would lean more toward being a little burnt out and tired than PPD myself. It is pretty normal to need some 'me' time, and when you don't get that it is easy to get down. Do you have any family in the area? Is there any way to make some time for yourself? I know it is hard with so much going on, but it really is necessary if you are feeling like this. I cannot imagine how much it takes to be a parent to twins, plus two other older children that need your love and attention, then add to that all of your daycare kids and it really could get overwhelming.

Do you have to do daycare? Is it financially necessary for your family? I couldn't imagine having ANYTHING left over for my own family if I had to watch my own kids plus others all day, every day. My own keep me busy enough most of the time!!

WOW
alot of good advice already for you.
I wanted you to know, since I have no advice, that I just prayed for you.

W.- It is completely normal for you to feel like you do-Hang in there! Hormones and breast feeding can only keep you going for a little while so you'll definately want to chat with your DR.

Lexpro is a great lite drug- it's ok to need a little help. There is no reason to feel like that. Now is the time to enjoy your children, not suffer thru them.
H.

I had my first son in Februry ( now almost 11 years ago) and I had post-partum depression until that October. I now found out I really have Bipolar Disorder. I woulod speak to your doctor, even the peds doctor would help. Depression can be hard especially when you have little ones. It's important to nip it in the butt. You may have to go on meds- don't freak, they really help- or may need therapy. I'd note in a journal how often you cry, why and if there are other behaviors that are not quite right. maybe you're having good days that are a little too good. too much talking, too much shopping, spending money you don't have and such.

Depression in and of itself can be a disorder. Medication does work. Good luck!

I, too, also agree with the other comments of contacting your physician to be checked for post-partum depression. I was diagnosed last year several months after I had my second son. To be quite honest, I should've been treated with my first son, but, I was too afraid and ashamed to admit this. Anyway, I read Brooke Shields book, "Down Came the Rain". It encouraged me to go seek help. I'm so glad I did.

If you have a support system (i.e. family, church, friends...etc), I totally recommend tapping into them as a resource for helping you during this time. Just remember, it's only for a season and that means it won't last forever. ;0) And, it is so ok to ask and get help.

You may not feel this way, but, you're an admirable and amazing mom. Keep up the good work and keep, keeping on.

Many Blessings to you,
L.

Wow it's sounds like you are just really overloaded with things. Try to get someone to help out with some of your daily task if you can. I had PPD and it was pretty severe. I did not want to get out of bed and take care of my kids...thoughts of suicide lingered...it was bad...but my network of friends and my husbands support helped me get through a lot. He manages a restaruant, so his hrs are long and very lonely for me. Reach out to whoever you can...=) your on the right track...hang in there.

well i think it could be eather or....i didn't get post partum untill my little girl was 2 1/2 months when i stoped breastfeeding completly. my best friend on the otherhand didn't get it untill her son was 5 months old and she went back to work.keep your head up.

Portland has a wonderful resourse called Baby Blues Connection

Baby Blues Connection, PO Box 33143, Portland, OR 97292-3143, ###-###-#### www.babybluesconnection.org

I've heard wonderful things of this organization.

Hey Wendi,
My PPD also did not start until my daughter was about 9 months. She too had lots of problems with her ears. I think that this was a huge contributer to my symptoms. I felt like I wasnt doing enought to keep her healthy, and I everything I did I couldnt make her pain go away. She finally got tubes in and it helped her, no more infections so far!!! :) I went to my OB and she gave me Zoloft, its ok to use while your breastfeeding. It helped with in a week or so. Women who have PPD respond to the drug faster than people with depression. It made the lack of sleep easier, and gave me more energy. It helped me to get over a slump I had been in for about a month. It worked miracles on my relationships with friends and family also! I know that being tired really does not help, it makes the symptoms much worse. I agree with the other advise you have gotten, def get some help from family and catch up on sleep!! Good luck!!

W.,
Postpartum depression typically develops immediately after delivery, but regular depression can occur anytime in your life. You may be developing depression. Having said that, I had twins as well, and it sounds like you are completely exhausted and overwhelmed. I know I was & I didn't have other kids. My best advice is to get some help either during the day or at night and some sleep. The pediatrician made a point of telling us that we needed to get at least 4 hours of uninterupted sleep per/night. That's the time it takes for you brain to get through at least one full sleep cycle. With twins that meant sleeping in separate rooms and taking shifts. With your husband gone, you may need to get overnight help. If with the help things don't improve, you may consider getting seeking treatment. Also there are lots of postpartum support groups on the internet that you might consider connecting with. Some argue that postpartum can occur anytime in the first year. I am a graduate student @ UNLV and study postpartum. If you have time, we are conducting an internet survey on postpartum-it takes about 20+ minutes. The website is www.maternalhealthlab.com. Also, if your are in the Las Vegas Area & you email me directly (____@____.com) I can send you information on a local postpartum/moms support groups. Hang in there.

W. Yes , i was the same way with my sencond daughter i didnt have any signs till she was 6 7 months old and let me tell you it hit me hard, i went and took some meds which i know alot of ppl wouldntbut i did and let me tell you in about a month i was a new person. lack of sleep and dealling with sick babies will do it too, just make a appt with ur Dr and tell her or him what is going on and they will work with you trust me...good luck and things will be better soon...J.

I doubt that it is PPD just because that usually sets in after the birth. You are probably EXHAUSTED. Find a way to have some "me" time or you may lose it! the best thing for your kids is for you to be a happy mommy!

You are incredible doing all of that and with very little sleep. I cannot imagine ypu not be depressed. I agree that you should talk with your doctor and try an anti-depressant and find some way to get some sleep. My heart is with you.