An Answer to Postpartum Depression

I read this article today about a study done in Canada to see if allowing new moms to get more sleep in the hospital would have a positive impact on staaving off PPD.

I wanted to share my thoughts:

It does make absolute sense that getting as much sleep as possible in the post-partum period would stave off ppd. However, I have to disagree on the method. It seems like just another medical "band-aid" to me as opposed to actually looking at the core of the problem and curing that.

In times gone by, a birthing mother's community supported her completely through her birth. There weren't such things as "hired" doulas b/c your mother, aunt, neighbor, sister... was with you and supported you as a doula does now. After the birth, the women of the community would care for the new mother with everything from housework to cooking to laundry to caring for older siblings for at least 6 weeks. Mom and baby did nothing but lie in bed, nurse and sleep.

The reason new mommas don't get enough sleep after birth is because they aren't supported in the same way as we once were.

In my opinion, it is a sad commentary to say that the only way we can re-create that support is by increasing our stay in the hospital - where the nurses are caring for several babies at a time, many are left to cry in their cribs - esp if mom has opted to exclusively breast-feed, and mom is just further from her natural environment, rather than supported in it.

I'm not saying it's an easy fix, and I'm not arguing that we need more sleep! I am saying that the true answer is not having your baby cared for by others - it's educating women and families on the importance of postpartum support. And creating support systems within communities and families to aid new mothers in transitioning to life with a newborn (even if the new baby is not the first).

After Odeliya's birth, my midwife came for the first pp visit the next day. She sat Yoram down and explained to him that I am considered "postpartum" for the next 6 weeks and whatever he has to do to make sure that my job is sleeping and caring for baby - he needs to do it. The risks are not just PPD, also hemmorage, uterine prolapse, and prolonged healing that can occur if mom is expected to go back to her "normal" routine within those first 6 weeks.

If you are at risk for PPD and want to know how to make sure that you have the support you need to be cared for after your birth, email me to set up an intake appointment to assess your needs and set up a plan so that you are looking forward to having your baby - instead of dreading it!

Love,
Ayelet