LilSugar

Lil Community: May Is Perinatal Depression Awareness Month

Lil Community — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:15:55 PDT

As mothers we have to look out for each other. elle619 posted this reminder in our Mommy Club group in the LilSugar Community.

Last year my sister in law Kelly Abraham Martinez passed away due to severe PPD. My hope is to spread the word to all expecting and new mothers. Please take the time to speak to your healthcare professional about early detection. If you are suffering from PPD, you are not alone. Let’s make sure the women in our lives are educated and erase the stigma of PPD.

To see the warning signs for PPD, click here. And start asking questions and sharing your advice and tips in The Mommy Club!

Gwyneth Paltrow Feared She'd Love Son as Much as Her Father

Heather Maddan — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:20:08 PST

Gwyneth Paltrow may play the Country Strong role, but offscreen she's a strong woman. Still, the accomplished actress, mother, author, daughter, and wife says she hasn't recovered from the death of her dad. In an interview for Good Housekeeping's February issue, the 38-year-old was candid about her feelings for her father, Bruce Paltrow, who died in 2002. She said, "He died eight years ago, but it's like it just happened. They say losing someone gets easier with time. I don't think that's true."

The 38-year-old mom of two has long talked openly about her battle with postpartum depression following the birth of her son Moses in 2006. She said she attributes some of those emotions to "fear of loving a little boy as much as I loved my dad and more."

Eat Your Placenta If It Meant No Postpartum Depression?

Heather Maddan — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:15:15 PST

Motherhood isn't for the squeamish, but could you stomach eating a placenta? Some women believe that Placentophagy (the act of eating one's placenta) can ward off postpartum depression since the disposable organ is hormone rich and may balance out a woman's emotions after giving birth. Whether it is prepared like a protein or taken in capsule form, would you ingest it for the possible benefits?

Five Signs Mom Has Postpartum Depression and How to Help

LilSugar — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:55:25 PDT

What to do when it's more than the baby blues? Dr. Karen Binder-Brynes recently contributed to Gwyneth Paltrow's web newsletter, GOOP about postnatal depression. The NYC psychologist has since received inquiries from women all over the globe. As the condition is not uncommon, we asked her for tips on how to tell if a mom has postpartum depression and how to help. Here is her advice: As I mentioned in GOOP, 10 to 20 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. This is not a small percentage. As a result, many of you readers have either suffered from postpartum depression or have friends or relatives who have. Today I am addressing the issue of what to do if you have a friend or relative who may be suffering from this condition.

The first step is in recognizing that your friend/relative is in fact experiencing the more severe condition we call postpartum depression and not just having typical and normal, post birth blues. Most mothers experience some “let-down” after their baby’s birth. They may feel tired, overwhelmed, and may be recovering from the birth process itself, be it cesarean or vaginal delivery. They may have other children at home who need attention, not to mention husbands or partners. What we are addressing here is the more severe and long-lasting syndrome of postpartum depression. This syndrome is marked by longer lasting feelings of sadness, irritability, feelings of self-loathing or loathing the baby, lack of concentration and feelings as if she can not care properly for her baby. In severe instances a new mother can feel suicidal or even homicidal. There is still tremendous shame around this condition and often women loathe to admit these dark emotions to their husbands, relatives, friends, and even their doctors! So how would you know if a friend or relative is suffering from postpartum depression? Here are five behaviors (and suggestions for help) which might help you make the assessment.

Up Up Creative's Feel Good Lists Make Mom Put Herself First

babysugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:30:16 PDT

The lack of me time can take its toll on a mother. One woman who's "been there and done that" came up with Up Up Creative's feel good lists ($16) that include everything a new mother needs to put her back on track.

Julie Green was "deep in the throes of postpartum depression" when she made a list of everything she thought would make her feel better. From daily showers and walks outside to weekly knitting and baking sessions, her final list included boxes she should check off to ensure she was working her way to recovery. She is now offering a similar service to other women combating the condition. Fill out her form with things that make you happy and she will email you a checklist that can be printed out as often as needed. Think of it as one mom's way of making a difference.

Tell Mommy: What Was Your Toughest Postpartum Moment?

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:05:58 PST

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 PST

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.

Take the Quiz

Exclusive Interview: Angie Harmon Talks Postpartum Depression and Halloween

LilSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:12 PDT

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,

Postpartum Depression Indicators May Save Mama From Getting Blue

LilSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:30:20 PDT

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 PDT

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.

View 5 Photos ›

Source