Postpartum Depression Question

[sraebaer]

OK, totally off weight loss but maybe one of you can help.

My daughter had a baby 5 weeks ago (her third) and has postpartum depression bad. She has a very fussy baby. She can't eat, can't sleep (even when the baby sleeps), is just a zombie. Says she has irrational thoughts. I drove 11 hours to help in the middle of the night. Just left my job, of which I have no days left to take. Whatever.

Anyone know what to do? Her OB/GYN has given a few anxiety meds that both made her terribly sick. When she calls back every day they are just rude. He recommend a therapist. But will just talking to somebody help? Or a psychiatrist/psychologist? I am at a loss as how to help.

[Luna354]

Try to get her in with a psychiatrist asap.
Hopefully they can help with the right meds. Let her know that meds are ok and we all need a little help sometimes. Meds are not one size fits all, sometimes it takes a few different ones before you find the right one.

[lil_lisa]

Have you tried MDLIVE, they have a place you can call in and talk to all kinds of help, medical and psychological as well 24/7 day or night. They take insurance even. I have used them a couple times and they do good for medical things. Good luck.
Learn more at MDLIVE.com
Call us at 1-800-400-MDLIVE

[Christie13]

The most important thing is for her to get help and have help with the baby. The last thing you want to do is leave her alone with the baby. Post partum is not a joke. People will actually completely ignore the babies needs or worse. Definitely seek help. Praying for you guys.

[lil_lisa]

I would also suggest calling her family physician, he might recommend her to a facility she can go to immediately to get some help. Have you tried one of those swings for the baby, they seem to be good to put the babies to sleep? Also, a vacuum cleaner sound sometimes helps. My son had trouble sleeping when he was born, we asked the pediatrician, and he put him on soy milk, think he was allergic to regular milk, that might be a problem also for the baby. They also have swaddling blankets that are sposed to help? I feel for you, I remember those hard times, went through myself.

[ghost_ryder]

Ask your employer for Family Medical Leave. They have to give you your job back when you return. Just to protect yourself and your family.

As far as your daughter, there must be a specialist who sees women for Postpartum depression. My daughter had a small case after the twins were born. It was mostly due to hormonal imbalance. Praying you and your daughter get some relief getting this worked out.

[ShelbyMoore]

Your daughter needs to see a Psychiatrist to obtain the appropriate medication for the Postpartum Depression. She also needs to see a Psychotherapist / Therapist to treat her irrational thoughts. The best type of Psychotherapist / Therapist is one who specializes in Postpartum Depression or at minimum a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT). A Psychologist is generally not who she would need to see as they focus on "testing" and not all Psychologists do talk therapy.

I've run into plenty of Physicians who question whether Postpartum Depression is a real thing. But, it is!

Try to get her in soon to a Psychiatrist as the medication takes a while to begin working. It would be great if you could take some "Family Leave" as ghost_ryder suggested and be with her.

And anxiety medication is not what you would generally give a person who has depression. You are giving a downer to someone who is already down. Unless she is having panic attacks or clear anxiety. For Depression she would need an antidepressant like a Prozac, which is safe if she's breastfeeding. BUT, the medication part is to be managed by the Psychiatrist as he/she is a physician that specializes in mental health issues.

I'm a Psychotherapist but in this forum I'm an upcoming Sleeve patient. I hope that information is helpful.

[Shirl]

OK, totally off weight loss but maybe one of you can help.

My daughter had a baby 5 weeks ago (her third) and has postpartum depression bad. She has a very fussy baby. She can't eat, can't sleep (even when the baby sleeps), is just a zombie. Says she has irrational thoughts. I drove 11 hours to help in the middle of the night. Just left my job, of which I have no days left to take. Whatever.

Anyone know what to do? Her OB/GYN has given a few anxiety meds that both made her terribly sick. When she calls back every day they are just rude. He recommend a therapist. But will just talking to somebody help? Or a psychiatrist/psychologist? I am at a loss as how to help.

My heart and prayers to your family.

1. Baby needs to be checked for any abnormalities that could be causing fuzziness. I have a cousin who had the most perfect boy then four weeks later started getting sick and listless some kind of toxic shock, next thing we know they are doing a gender reassignment. She is now 24 years old.

2. Contact her local area if they have psych fast response team to evaluate what are the irrational thoughts.

3. If baby is not getting proper nutrition from breastfeeding, try several types of formula. There are bottles now that assimilate the breast nowadays, and formula are made with better ingredients.

4. Rest. Self care.

I'm glad you are there! But I do hope you do some selfcare too.

I have been playing full time grandmother for a few months, and when the kids get home I need to get me some "me" time.

[sraebaer]

I would also suggest calling her family physician, he might recommend her to a facility she can go to immediately to get some help. Have you tried one of those swings for the baby, they seem to be good to put the babies to sleep? Also, a vacuum cleaner sound sometimes helps. My son had trouble sleeping when he was born, we asked the pediatrician, and he put him on soy milk, think he was allergic to regular milk, that might be a problem also for the baby. They also have swaddling blankets that are sposed to help? I feel for you, I remember those hard times, went through myself.

Yes, she is swaddled and has a thing that actually rocks the whole time she is sleeping. It's weird, she does sleep two good stretches at night (4 hours each time) but then screams all day. And I mean every waking moment. They are trying meds for acid reflux, but it isn't helping yet. She even screams in the car and stroller. The ONLY think that makes her quiet is a ride in one of those big mule things her daddy uses for hunting (we are in Mississippi!) around the neighborhood. Loves the loud noise combined with the movement. Guess she wants to be a redneck baby!

[sraebaer]

Have you tried MDLIVE, they have a place you can call in and talk to all kinds of help, medical and psychological as well 24/7 day or night. They take insurance even. I have used them a couple times and they do good for medical things. Good luck.
Learn more at MDLIVE.com
Call us at 1-800-400-MDLIVE

Can they prescribe medicine?

[sraebaer]

Ask your employer for Family Medical Leave. They have to give you your job back when you return. Just to protect yourself and your family.

As far as your daughter, there must be a specialist who sees women for Postpartum depression. My daughter had a small case after the twins were born. It was mostly due to hormonal imbalance. Praying you and your daughter get some relief getting this worked out.

Not really worried as I'm retiring from teaching when school is out May 25th. I think with a note from her doctor I can go into my banked days. It's just a bad time of year to be out of school.

[sraebaer]

My heart and prayers to your family.

1. Baby needs to be checked for any abnormalities that could be causing fuzziness. I have a cousin who had the most perfect boy then four weeks later started getting sick and listless some kind of toxic shock, next thing we know they are doing a gender reassignment. She is now 24 years old.

2. Contact her local area if they have psych fast response team to evaluate what are the irrational thoughts.

3. If baby is not getting proper nutrition from breastfeeding, try several types of formula. There are bottles now that assimilate the breast nowadays, and formula are made with better ingredients.

4. Rest. Self care.

I'm glad you are there! But I do hope you do some selfcare too.

I have been playing full time grandmother for a few months, and when the kids get home I need to get me some "me" time.

That's the worry, she wants to breastfeed but I don't think is eating enough to feed the baby. Basically saltines, water, and some nuts are all she can keep down. But I think she would feel so guilty about switching to formula. But unless she started eating, that may be the only choice. Funny thing is we were here before the baby was born and she was eating like a 200 pound man (and she is typically 130 and 5'4"), huge portions of everything! Or course maybe with us sleeved patients watching people eat that much seems abnormal, when it's normal for a person without weight issues.

[sraebaer]

Your guys are so helpful, thanks so much. Sounds like a psychiatrist and therapist that specialize in postpartum depression is what we should be looking for. But after calling some of these people yesterday I'm hearing stuff like "We can't get her in until May 9th." We need emergency help now!

[Ann2]

Oh, sraebaer, I'm so sorry y'all are struggling with all this.

Unfortunately, I have zero advice or experience with this. I'm just sending you a big old hug and reminding you to care for yourself, too.

[Shirl]

Sraebaer...

Try making her rich oatmeal dish.

Simmer one cup of oats in salt (1/2tsp or smaller) water with a stick of cinnamon. When the oats thicken add a tab of butter, thin it out with 1/2 and 1/2 creamer if needed, add a little maple syrup or brown sugar to taste.

That helped me produce milk always.

My mom made me rice the same way too.

Breastfeeding isn't easy reach out to a La Leche league group in her area. Someone is always ready to help. They will also be helpful with postpartum depression. Watch out though some of them can be militant about breastfeeding lol!