Guilty, Secondary to Postpartum Depression

[jamistlc]

Guilty, With Postpartum Depression

Woman Pleads Guilty to Trying to Drown Twin Babies

L A G U N A N I G U E L, Calif., July 6-A woman accused of trying to drown her twin babies pleaded guilty to child endangerment today and was given probation by a judge who called it a case of postpartum depression.

Complete story at:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/depressionpostpartum_010706.html

MY THOUGHTS:

No one knows much about mental illness, this just shows that hormones and stress can have severe effects upon your physical and mental health. I wonder if there are any studies out there that support a reduction in the rates of this disorder in post partum women who have had a Midwife and/or Doula through out the pregnancy and childbirth. I can see where a Midwife or Doula could be in a position that would observe the risk for this illness and make interventions to help the client before it results in injury or death!

I want to add what current definations are for this type of Post-Partum Mood Disorder(s):

Different Postpartum Mood Disorders

About 50 percent to 75 percent of all mothers experience a mild form of depression called the "baby blues," which typically comes on within the first few days following childbirth, lasts for several weeks at most, and is marked by crying spells and feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability.

Another 5 percent to 10 percent of mothers go through "postpartum depression," characterized by deeper sadness and anxiety, depression, hopelessness, exhaustion, guilt, and a general feeling of being "not yourself." This type of depression ordinarily begins within weeks or months of birth, increases slowly over time, and has a longer duration than the baby blues.

Much less common is "postpartum psychosis," which is suffered by fewer than 1 percent of all mothers. Symptoms for this disorder are similar to other forms of psychosis, including hallucinations, mania, delusions, altered mood, extreme confusion or agitation, paranoia, and disorganized thinking. Postpartum psychosis has a very rapid onset, usually within the first one to three days following childbirth.

Experts agree that postpartum psychosis is likely triggered by the rapid fall in hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which follows the birth of a child. It is believed this fall in hormones activates a cascade of chemical events within the brain that ultimately lead to psychotic thoughts and behaviors.

Psychotic thoughts can also occur with severe depression after childbirth, though the onset of delusional symptoms is much slower than classical postpartum psychosis, which comes on very quickly with dramatic and obvious changes in behavior.

Psychosis with depression is more insidious in nature, with symptoms that gradually worsen over a period of weeks. A mother may begin with the more common form of postpartum depression, but then progressively develop psychotic symptoms as time goes on.

In general, doctors say it is difficult to predict if a new mother will suffer postpartum psychosis, though women with bipolar disorder or mothers with a history of severe postpartum depression are more at risk for developing psychotic tendencies after pregnancy.

A history of major postpartum depression and possible psychosis, an alleged current break with reality is then much less surprising, experts say. By some standards, it may even have been anticipated. The strongest predictor of a future episode is whether a woman has had previous symptoms. Mothers who have suffered one episode of postpartum psychosis have a 75 percent chance of experiencing another episode following their next child.

For people with temporary psychoses, the way they talk, think, and act will seem "off," as if they are "not themselves." Friends and family may notice a mother being anxious, confused, suspicious, irrational, hyperactive, speaking differently, or becoming overly focused on "the little things." For example, a person may develop small, seemingly meaningless rituals, or attach extra meaning to things in their environment, places, or events.

Just my thoughts IMHO.

Peace,

Have a Blessed Day,

Jami;)