Treating Postpartum Depression

The duration of a postpartum depression will depend upon how quickly the condition was recognized and the treatment given, but a full recovery can be expected. For some women, the depression is short lived and will clear up on its own. But if symptoms continue after two or three weeks, it is time to seek some type of professional help. Most importantly, if a woman starts having symptoms of psychosis, such as if she is experiencing hallucinations, self-destructive thoughts, or feelings of being outside herself, she needs to seek help immediately. Some of the treatment options you’re your health care provider might recommend include:

-	Joining a support group is one option, especially if the depression is mild to moderate. Many new mothers find it reassuring to know that other women are experiencing the same things. If you can't find one, ask your health care provider or the hospital where you delivered.

-	Antidepressants and talk therapy. Some recent research shows that a combination of both talk therapy and antidepressants may be very effective in treating postpartum depression sufferers. Some women may be hesitant to use antidepressants because of a fear that the drug may end up in their milk supply and hurt the baby. This fear is not completely unfounded because traces of some antidepressants do find their way into breast milk. However, it varies from drug to drug. Be sure to talk about the benefits and risks of taking medications while breasfeeding your child, with your health care provider.
-	Accept or ask for help from others.
-	Rest or nap when the baby sleeps. Many mothers are tempted to take the few minutes of nap time and get a load of laundry done or to do the dishes. These chores can wait, or they can be done by your partner or friend. Minimize your extraneous chores for at least the first few days, and have dad help whenever possible. He is just as capable of changing a diaper, or burping, or bathing the baby. The only thing he cannot do is breastfeed.
-	Take a break and go out for dinner or a movie with your spouse...or enjoy a carry-out meal at home. Meet a friend for lunch.
-	Lower your expectations of yourself.
-	Talk about your feelings with your spouse, family or friends.
-	Join a new mothers’ group.
-	Exercise (with doctor’s permission).
-	Take time for yourself when baby is asleep—read, take a bath, watch a movie, or pamper yourself in some other way.
-	Eat healthy. You need to eat well, avoid caffeine, junk food, and greasy foods. Take a shower at least once a day, this will make you feel better, and give you a few minutes alone. Have a drink of water every time you nurse. Depending on whether you had an episiotomy or cesarean surgery, your physical recovery will have specific instructions.