Postnatel depression

Oh poor you.

My son is 14 now but I suffered from PND for 2 years after he was born, resisting the anti depressants, but when I finally gave in and started to take them they turned my life around. I am so glad I took them. My doctor prescribed them for me for about 2 years, then I came off them and have been great ever since!

Although there are many other ways to try and cope I do believe that if your brain has reduced chemicals in it to function properly then that needs to be addressed in order that you can then find the energy to make the changes that will further help your recovery.

Practically I would suggest accepting all the help you can from family and friends, getting a cleaner if you can afford it, even for once a month to blitz the place, ignoring non essential tasks and making time for things that brigten your day and getting outside very day.

I would suggest Yoga, massage and a nutritional therapista as alternatives that may help you.

Best of luck and do let me know how you get in. I do remember how isolated and awful I felt for so long.
Hugs.
xx

Thanks for your reply. I had postnatal depression with my son who is also 15 years old. I tried talking therapy which helped for a while but then i realised it was my partner who i was living with at the time..was causing alot of problems and not helping the situation. I did go on anti depressants for a while but they didnt have the same effect as you...i was like a zombie and couldnt not really talk and was so slow.

So i was hoping that maybe minerals and vitamins might help.

My new partner has suggested we get a cleaner and my mum has offered to take my baby of my hands twice a week.

I actually think at the moment im down because of lack of sleep and having a baby that has reflux and cries in pain alot :/

Big hugs right back at you. PND is a dark place to be..but it will get better....just takes time.

Would you consider something more spiritual? I've known shamanic healing to help with PND.

Hi Hallos,

I don't know about PND specifically, but in general terms of depression, one of the key things is exercise. You may feel like you're already running around all the time and tired, but actually getting some time to yourself (if you can) to go out for a brisk walk for half an hour, can really make you feel more energized.

Also, take a look at 5-HTP (or L5-HTP by another name) which is 5-HydroxyTrytophan, a natural seed extract you can get from health shops, which acts as a supplement, and is what your body naturally turns into seratonin (the "happy hormone") to help with depression.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

So sorry to hear you are struggling so. PND is awful, especially as one feels one should be over the moon with the arrival of the little one.

Some helpful replies have been given. As you know, eating as [url]healthy a diet[/url] as you can is paramount.

Patrick Holford says that PND is triggered by chemical and hormonal changes, and a shortage of zinc is likely, as a lot is passed from the mother to the baby before birth. If the mother's supply is limited this leaves her deficient.particularly after a long delivery time. If you have stretch marks and poor appetite with more than 2 white marks on your fingernails then this is highly likely to be involved. 15mg zinc twice daily can help retore it. I'd also add a B complex supplement 50mg of each, slow release, as zinc works with them. The other supplement that can be very helpful is omega-3 oils, so eating oily fish at least 3 times a week will help, but a supplement like this one could make all the difference. Continue with a good mulivitamin/ multimineral.

Do read the info given - lots of helpful advice, plus plenty more on google. A homeopath may advise you with suitable help. EFT could also be helpful too.

Big Hugs :hug:, Love and Light

Patrick Holford says that PND is triggered by chemical and hormonal changes, and a shortage of zinc is likely, as a lot is passed from the mother to the baby before birth. If the mother's supply is limited this leaves her deficient.particularly after a long delivery time.

This does not, however, look at the causes - only at the results. If none of these work in a particular case, is it not time to look at other (for example, spiritual) causes?

This does not, however, look at the causes - only at the results. If none of these work in a particular case, is it not time to look at other (for example, spiritual) causes?

I realise that lack of zinc is not the only cause - but is highly likely if the other symptoms I mentioned are present. I should also have mentioned that it would be a good idea to see a registered [url]Nutritional Therapist[/url] who will sort the nutrition side of things out for Hallos.

Hallos, I would ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels as post-partum they can dip significantly and one of the first symptoms is depression, especially as you have already had thyroid issues during this pregnancy.

There are other causes [url]see here[/url] which need addressing if the first attempts don't help. In view of the biochemical/hormonal upset that giving birth can have on the body and having a history of hormonal imbalance then if it was me then I would look at physical causes at the outset.

Wow thankyou for your replies. Im off to the doctor tonight but i did get them to check my thyroid levels at my six week check and has i havent heard anything..can only guess they are ok. I will double check tonight. Im not on any multi vits at the moment as ive just finished my pregnancy ones. Im still expressing my breast milk and so i need to make sure i can take mulit vits etc.

Re spiritual.....ive been to a couple of good friends who are healers and they talk about family clearing and ive done some theta healing. I seem to have fear around my skills as a mother and also my new baby daughter cries alot and her crying seems to go through me and i cant seem to calm her down and that is making me slighty depressed. The doctors have said she has reflux., she only catnaps and does cry alot after feeds even though ive cut out dairy and soya now. My little girl was born on 20th June 2012 ..summer solstice....her name is Sophia which means wisdom.

I was aslo thinking about EFT for fear and stuff that i know is bubbling around.

Thanks again for all your advice.

many blessings to you all,
Rachelx

I realise that lack of zinc is not the only cause - but is highly likely if the other symptoms I mentioned are present. I should also have mentioned that it would be a good idea to see a registered [url]Nutritional Therapist[/url] who will sort the nutrition side of things out for Hallos.

I didn't explain myself well. What I meant was - a shamanic practitioner could find the spiritual cause behind the lack of zinc.

Re spiritual.....ive been to a couple of good friends who are healers and they talk about family clearing and ive done some theta healing. I seem to have fear around my skills as a mother and also my new baby daughter cries alot and her crying seems to go through me and i cant seem to calm her down and that is making me slighty depressed.

I'm not really diagnosing here, because that would be up to the spirits, but I would guess it is soul loss, with (possibly) an intrusion. If these have occurred because of family problems, then a shamanic practitioner can look also at the spiritual causes of these problems.

Here is my shortlist of things that could be useful (some similar to what other people suggested - I would advocate to do a combination of approaches rather than just one thing):

• Physical movement of any enjoyable variety (walking, dancing etc)
• Nutritional approaches
• EFT (if the birth has been in any way traumatic I would recommend to see an EFT or EMDR practitioner to help with any unpleasant memories)
• Increasing your social activities - may be joining groups or classes in your area
• Any fun, pampering, self-caring activities
• Counselling or CBT can sometimes be helpful

Masha

Hello Again,
Ive been to the doctor and she is happy to just keep an eye on me and that im doing all the positive things to make sure the depression dosnt get any worst.

I have been walking with the pram to my mums house so i can get sleep or take a bath or shower.

I know i have to perhaps done some EFT as ive just sat down and thought about feeding Sophia tonight and i got a sick feeling in my stomach....

I sleep on a mattress in her bedroom and i try so hard not to let her cry to much as we only live in a terrace house and my others kids are getting humpy being woken up.....also doing the night feeds are so lonely.

I am so sorry to hear about your problems. I used to see ladies with this proiblem when I was a pharmacist at a women's hospital. I know that anti-depressants can be helpful. And if you they put you on Cittalopram or Sertraline there is evidence to show they are OK when you are breastfeeding. But I hope you can avoid that.

EFT can be very helpful - and the beauty of it is you don;t need to a practitioner - you can do it yourself. It empowers you and that is so important with depression of any sort.

Hypnotherapy can also be useful. I had a study day that included advice on how to treat PND with hypnotherapy.That may be another possible avenue to investigate.

Reiki could also be helpful and if you were my client I would probably use a mixture of both.

Apart from that doing the sensible things like eating well getting exercise are always sensible.

Good luck

love and light

Sally

Thanks again for all your replies.
Im up expressing at the moment and so far little sophia is asleep in her moses basket in her room. If she starts sleeping through the night this will make a big differance to me 🙂

will keep u posted.
xxx

.....also doing the night feeds are so lonely.

I listen to ClassicFM when I have problems sleeping, and just this morning they were saying how many new parents appreciate the soothing music as it seems to lull their babies to sleep! Margherita Taylor the presenter has a very soothing voice and is a delight to listen to - when I can stay awake!

Thanks again for all your replies.
Im up expressing at the moment and so far little sophia is asleep in her moses basket in her room. If she starts sleeping through the night this will make a big differance to me 🙂

will keep u posted.
xxx

I know it's not a popular idea here, but both my sister and my sister-in-law slept with their babies. That way, for the night feeds, they never totally woke up, just fed and went back to sleep.
Because my brother and my sister-in-law were in the UK and had panic-stricken health visitors, my brother slept seperately. Because my sister and my brother-in-law were in China, where co-sleeping is still common, my brother-in-law slept with my sister and the baby (in fact, with four babies, all told). I think the disaproval here is largely moral panic, rather than safety. So long as no alcohol or drugs (including prescribed drugs) are involved, adults are very aware if they roll towards a baby in their sleep.
It helps with both energy levels (because sleep is less disturbed) and with bonding, and has been common throughout human history.

Got to admit my son slept with me when he needed night feeds - and he is now a happy healthy well balanced 23 year old

she slept through the night

wow ..not sure what happened but little sophia slept frm 10pm until 5am and has been sleeping pretty much like it today....shes never slept that much.... and was worried she was ill.
fingers crossed..shes on the change.......i still have alot of fear based around her care and me looking after her...but my youngest son having a dream that she died...has helped things.

co sleeping is great....
xxx

Hi- I've read your other post re Sophia and maybe things are better for you now. If not,homeopathy could help you as well! If you can't have any consultations,there are two remedies you could possibly buy that may be worth trying.
Sepia- particularly if you suspect that your hormones are all over the place. Also if you're tired, irritable and resentful of everything you've got to cope with.
Nat Mur- if you're withdrawn and wanting to be by yourself,maybe very tearful -or not crying at all- feeling very anxious about Sophia- or not really bonding at all.
There are lots of other remedies but you'd need a homeopath to prescribe them.

You'll probably only get them in a 30c potency. Only take one remedy a time, only for 4 or 5 days, and only 1 or 2 pills a day.You should know after that, whether it's helped at all. I doubt it'll do the 'whole thing' but it might help you along...

PM me if you need to. Thinking of you! Hom

Hello Hom,
Its so nice to hear from you 🙂 I hope you are well. Funny you mention taking sepia as that is what i was given at the dolphin clinic in Brighton. I did end up taking the two tablets in one go as i tipped them in from the packet and they both fall into my mouth:p

Sophia was given Colocynth 200. The funny thing is i did get cococynth 12c from helios but my partner didnt want me to use it on sophia when she was so little......but after weeks of crying and very little sleep....he was willing to try anything:rolleyes:

With regards to how im feeling...i feel its lifted.....but when sophia becomes unsettled..i start feeling worried that the crying will come back.

She is on medication from the hospital and so im not sure if that has helped calmed things aswell but im just so grateful things have changed as for a while i thought i really wouldnt be able to cope if things kept carrying on as they were.

xxx

Hi Hallos

I had PND with my first daughter 24 years ago. It is something I will never forget. I never felt so depressed in all my life.

What helped me was taking anti depressents. Which I only took for three months. Talking to someone on the PND helpline.Taking my daughter out for long walks in the pram. I had a lot of support from my husband and my mum.

I cried all day,couldn`t eat,couldn`t sleep.I even wanted to take my own life at one extremely low point.I was so worried that my daughter would be taking away from me. I didn`t like it when she cried.I was so anxious,I just wasnt myself.

Thankfully I got better.

Just take all the help you can.

Hope you are ok today. Please keep posting so we know how you are feeling. It does help to talk.

Thinking of you

Sunrise:)

Hi again, just for the record, there is no problem at all in giving babies, no matter how young, homeopathic medicines. I'd be more worried about giving them conventional ones!
Colocynth can be a great remedy for colic, as long as the symptoms fit but if it doesn't seem to help, there are lots of others.
Re the Sepia, if that helped but you go back to how you were before taking it, then it's always worthwhile repeating it.
It can be an anxious time when your baby cries and of course most of them do, as it's their only way of communicating at all, when very young. It's also natural for you as a mother to feel worried about it and no amount of medicines will stop that. However, depression or severe anxiety is something else.It can be that the situation also triggers off other issues that aren't directly related to the baby crying and talking with a homeopath can help to tease that out and lead to other remedies being prescribed,that help at a deeper level.
Also, we have to remember that a baby's behaviour may reflect that of the parent and vice versa. So it's easy to get into a viscious circle where you're both 'feeding' off each other.
HTH Hom
(Yes, I'm well thanks Hallos and just happy that my baby-rearing days are over! Thinking of you!)

Hello all,
Just wanted to update you all on how things are going. Sophia is so much more settled and is sleeping loads ..which she has never done up until now. This is having a huge effect on me as im able to go to bed and get about five to six hrs sleep. Of course i do understand that babies cry and thats their way of talking to us....but trust me sophia would cry all day and night and she hardly slept....she would cry after feeds and it would go on for two hrs and then she would just settle and then it would be her feeding time again and the whole crying for hrs would start up.
I also understand how im feeling will also effect Sophia to;)

I def think Sophia crying released something within me as....i just couldnt stand it.....but then she had been crying for eight weeks and nothing we seem to do helped.

Ive also been having regular crystal healing to help with what ever is coming up and theta healing to.

I seem to be ok most days and i also find going out for a walk with the pram..really helps.

I do find when the weekend comes and my partner is at home i would perhaps like to go out for a drive or somewhere nice as a family..as being at home all week i end up doing housework and just feel i need to get out.

Im still expressing my milk and bottle feeding Sophia and some times she will settle afterwards and other times she seems to no be able to sleep.

Ive never had a baby sleep for such a long period and at night....i think its amazing 🙂
she sleeps from 730pm until about 230am. I do find shes alittle unsettled from then on but i think its to do with wind...but that dosnt seem to bother me..aslong as i go to bed early in the evening when she does.

With my son i didnt want to harm him or myself ..i just cried alot and didnt feel i could look after him on my own and felt like i was in a big black whole and i was never going to get out...and i did try antidepressants but they didnt work. In fact i used to say if i got loads of money i would spend it on researching pnd as i def think its linked to hormone inbalance...and other things of course.
Also i was really cross as my life insurance doubled when i told them i had pnd:mad:

Many blessings to you all.

xxx

Hi Hallos,
Totally agree with you-.postnatal depression deserves much more time and money invested into it than at present. It sounds as if you're doing ok at the moment though and I guess you can only take it one day at a time. It's good that Sophia is sleeping so well! It must make all the difference to how you feel. Forums like this are also great for a bit of support aren't they. Keep doing the updates- your accounts are bound to be helping lots of other people....Hom

Well done, Hallos

Thinking of you

Love and Light

Hello all,
Just to update : Ive had some shamanic healing and there was a little girl trapped in a grave type space and we cleared some fear round that and it seem to help for a while. Ive had more crystal healing but for some reason the depression has taken a real hold. I ended up going to the doctors and she has confirmed post natel depression and gave me some antidepressants. I havent started to take them yet as im trying to get other help. Ive been told hypnotherapy can help?

I seem to be getting such a sick feeling in my stomach and fear of not being able to cope.

My mum has been brillant and looking after Sophia to give me a break and my partner is trying to help as much as he can.

Hello all,
Just to update : Ive had some shamanic healing and there was a little girl trapped in a grave type space and we cleared some fear round that and it seem to help for a while.

What reason does your Shaman give for the treatment not working?

Ive had more crystal healing but for some reason the depression has taken a real hold.

What reason does your Crystal Therapist give for the treatment not working?

I don't know about you, but if I buy a product from eg,Argos, and it doesn't do what it says on the box, I don't leave it at that.

It may seem as though I'm going off topic... but maybe not. (?) There is a lot said about blame culture, but little is said about ACCOUNTABILITY!

Ive had some shamanic healing and there was a little girl trapped in a grave type space and we cleared some fear round that and it seem to help for a while.

Is the little girl you? Was this a soul retrieval? If so, why did she go? Was she brought back to you and blown into you? Was any healing done on the little girl? Did she say what she needs in order to stay? Were you given instructions to help her integrate?

When you say you 'cleared some fear around that' - if this is a soul retrieval that shouldn't be necessary. If if isn't a soul retrieval, then what is going on? If it didn't help for more than 'a while', I suggest you find a different shamanic practitioner.

consider this as a CONT... from my #28 post

Hallos,

I only know about Shamanism what I've gathered from the HP forums, but...from what I've gathered, if it doesn't work you might be told you: "still have life lessons to learn" (?right, ok). You could be trying different Shamanic healers for ever. But I'm only going by what I've read on HP.

Why not see what your Shaman has to say, if you decide to return and hold them accountable.

If you bought a faulty fridge from one branch of Argos - you would not take the matter up with an entirely different branch, because they would not be equipped with all of the details.

(ditto for the crystal therapist.)

Wishing You All The Best.