Not my area, looking for input

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hello All,

I am looking for input about a friend who I believe is at risk, or may already be experiencing postpartum depression. She had a lot of pre-postpartum issues: single, disappointed family, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids. Part of the problem is she is in a different state. We speak by phone, she sounds "wrong", kind of whiny, not sure I can explain better than that. She is delighted with her new son, but having so many issues. I hate to suggest that she might have postpartum depression without some kind of compelling evidence.

ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

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Specializes in General 9yrs; Ortho-2y Intensive Care-6y.

is there no agency of gov't where you can refer your friend in your country? co'z here in oz we have some numbers we can ring for that sort of poroblem if we see it.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

She should contact her care provider, who should have resources available for her. We cannot offer medical advice. My thoughts are with your friend.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

While we can't dispense medical advice here, you could perhaps let your friend know you're concerned about her well-being. "I know you had a rough go of things before the delivery. You just don't sound like yourself and I just want to make sure you're coping alright afterward" might be a way to approach it. I have been through PPD myself and believe me, having someone call me on it was the best thing that could have happened. My own thought process was so irrational I would not have recognized had someone not pointed it out. It was like scratching an itch I didn't know I had. Sometimes moms are so focused on the baby they forget to look for signs that something is not right in themselves. I'm not saying this happens in every case, but it surely does happen.

Here are a couple resources that might help you in approaching your friend:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004481/

http://www.postpartum.net/

Also, Brooke Shields' book, Down Came the Rain, was helpful to me in my own recovery from PPD. Reading that made me feel like I wasn't so bizarre in feeling some of the things I felt. Best thoughts and wishes for your friend.

Definitely, she should call her doctor (and you can encourage her to do this) if she feel something's not right.

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