LilSugar

Tell Mommy: What Was Your Toughest Postpartum Moment?

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:05:58 -0800

An inspiration to many mothers who suffer from postpartum depression, superstar mama Brooke Shields continues to give hope to new moms through her raw and honest revelations. A spokesperson for the debilitating disease and depression, she recently spoke at the Hope for Depression Research Foundation in Manhattan where she recalled a harrowing moment in her life. She said:

I finally had a healthy beautiful baby girl and I couldn't look at her... I couldn't hold her and I couldn't sing to her and I couldn't smile at her... All I wanted to do was disappear and die... That was the week I almost did not resist driving my car straight into a wall on the side of the freeway... My baby was in the back seat and that even pissed me off because I thought she's even ruining this for me. I just wanted to drive into the wall and my friend stayed on the phone with me and made me safely get home.

It takes guts to talk about those dark moments but her story undoubtedly gives hope to many women who are having similar experiences. If you care to share, tell us what your toughest postpartum moment was.

Feeling overwhelmed by motherhood? Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar Community and share your plight with other moms who understand.

What Do You Know About Postpartum Depression?

LilSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:47 -0800

After giving birth some mamas find themselves seeing blue - no matter what the sex of their new baby. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common side effect of giving birth that, if dealt with properly, can be nothing more than a bump in the road. It's more common that most think. In fact, more than 20 percent of LilSugar readers suffered from PPD. Take the quiz to see how much you know about postpartum depression, but if you feel like you're depressed, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor.

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Exclusive Interview: Angie Harmon Talks Postpartum Depression and Halloween

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:12 -0700

The list of actresses who've overcome postpartum depression and are willing to share their experience continues to grow. We had the opportunity to speak with Angie Harmon about motherhood and her love of outdoor playspaces for kids yesterday at an event celebrating Huggies' new Little Movers Diapers. The actress, who teamed up with the nappy giant to raise money for KaBOOM! – the non-profit that works with local communities to build parks and playgrounds – told us that she suffered from PPD following the births of each of her three daughters with former NFL star Jason Sehorn. She considers the disorder to be the dirty little secret your friends forget to tell you about motherhood.

We also discussed her daughters' upcoming Halloween costumes. Finley, 5, will be Batgirl because she loves the mask and the cape. Avery, 4, will be Strawberry Shortcake because she loves the pink wig and Emery, 9-months old, will be a blossoming flower.

To see our entire video interview with Angie Harmon, including our discussion of her postpartum depression, read more.

Postpartum Depression Indicators May Save Mama From Getting Blue

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:30:20 -0700

Thanks to stars like Brooke Shields, Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda Peet, postpartum depression (PPD) is no longer a dirty little secret. All three of the ladies have been open and honest when disclosing their battles with the disorder following the birth of their children. More than simply the "baby blues," PPD is believed to affect between 15 and 20 percent of all mothers. With that many women experiencing PPD, wouldn't it be nice if we knew what caused it so we could try to prevent it? Some Spanish researchers think they can.

A group of scientists believe they have pinpointed a number of factors that will help identify the potential for a new mama to develop the illness with an 80 percent success rate. According to them, the mother's age and her working status throughout her pregnancy can influence the onset of the disease. Older women and expectant gals who worked were found to have lower instances of depression. The study also found that a family history of psychiatric problems and the existence of specific genes in the brain could predict the onset of PPD.

Would knowing these predictors have been helpful to you or a friend who suffered from postpartum depression?

Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby Has Staying Power as Smart Mama

LilSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 06:00:08 -0700

Brooke Shields has proved she's more than just a pretty baby, but a talented woman. Thrust into the public eye modeling for Ivory Soap at the age of 11 months, the stunner had a successful modeling and film career before she took to the small screen starring in a number of television shows like Suddenly Susan, That '70s Show and the recently canceled, Lipstick Jungle.

Though she sparked controversy with her role as a child prostitute in 1978's Pretty Baby and again a few years later in a Calvin Klein jeans ad, Shields may best be known these days as an outspoken advocate for women suffering from postpartum depression. Following the birth of her daughter Rowan, 6, the actress wrote Down Came the Rain an account of her struggle with the disease, her battle with fertility and her suicidal thoughts. She publicly and passionately disagreed with Tom Cruise about the use of psychiatric drugs for PPD treatment though they eventually called a truce.

The mom of two – Shields also is mom to Grier, 3, – still does a number of advertisements and promotes her books, including the just-released It's the Best Day Ever, Dad! about the bond between fathers and daughters.

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Did You Suffer Postpartum Depression?

LilSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:00:36 -0700

Amanda Peet, the outspoken advocate for getting children vaccinated, has gone public on another motherhood issue - postpartum depression. The actress told Gotham magazine that she suffered a bout after giving birth to 18-month-old daughter Frankie. She said:

And [after I gave birth] I had a fairly serious postpartum depression. I think it was because I had a really euphoric pregnancy.

The 36-year-old actress is the latest in a growing group of celebmamas, which includes Brooke Shields and Gwyneth Paltrow, who have been vocal with their struggle. She believes that mothers feel shame when they don't experience bliss after giving birth.

Did you experience it?
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Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder For New Mommies

babysugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:00:47 -0700

Postpartum depression is a fairly well-known condition that women suffer after giving birth to a child. While depression once had a stigma attached to it, mothers have spoken out about their own experiences and brought an element of normalcy to the condition that affects nearly 10–15 percent of new mothers.

Now, a small portion of postpartum mommies are also experiencing post–traumatic–stress disorder (PTSD). The PTSD label is commonly used when referring to vets returning from war zones or people recovering from violet occurrences. To see what some contributing factors to PTSD are and what the government is doing about it, read more.

Some believe that traumatic deliveries, premature births, life-threatening issues to the baby, or even past sexual abuse can lead to a woman developing PTSD. Women who seem happy after giving birth may be surprised to develop PTSD months afterwards.

Therapy, medication, talking, and relaxation can all serve as relievers to someone suffering from PTSD. Leaders in the House of Representatives are trying to pass legislation that would offer screening for postpartum mood disorders for new mothers. The proposed law is called the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mothers Act and will be reintroduced in the Fall. The act has its opponents, as some fear such screening would invade a mother's privacy and possibly lead to her being drugged for otherwise treatable issues.

Would you approve of mood-disorder screening for new mums?
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Daddies Get the Baby Blues, Too

babysugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:00:15 -0700

I have a male friend who loved when his wife was pregnant.

She had a terrific pregnancy and they cherished every doctor's appointment and ultrasound. He even got a sympathy bump from their daily ice cream indulgence.

When baby arrived, the mother wasn't the only one who got the blues. Though they were thrilled to have a newborn son, the couple jointly suffered from postpartum depression.

To learn more about male postpartum depression, read more.

Expectant mothers are often counseled and even expected to experience postpartum depression, while men are not prepared for it. According to one study from 2006:

About 14 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers suffer from moderate or severe postpartum depression.

For many first time fathers, postpartum depression can be triggered when the new mother focuses her energy and bodily efforts on the baby.

Do you know any men who suffered from the baby blues?
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After Suffering PPD with Pregnancy, Would You Risk Another?

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Postpartum depression has no bounds affecting everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to the general public. For some women it can be debilitating, even down right frightening.

But, once a mother returns from the wretches of depression to a more regular life, does it make sense for her to have another baby?

Brooke Shields took that chance, would you?
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Gwyneth Paltrow Opens Up About Postpartum Depression

LilSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:05:54 -0700

Life may be fiestas and fun now for actress Gwyneth Paltrow, but in the May issue of Vogue, the starlet opened up about suffering from postpartum depression after son, Moses, 2 was born.

She said:

"I felt really out of my body," Paltrow says after giving birth. "I felt really disconnected. I felt really down ... I felt pessimistic."

Paltrow who also has daughter, Apple, 3 admits she didn't realize she had PPD until after the fact.

And, the golden girl isn't the first celeb to discuss her experience. To see how another actress was inspired by her bout with PPD, read more.

Fellow actress Brooke Shields was inspired to pen the book, Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression after her daughter, Rowan, 4 was born.
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