Just delivered and feeling miserable?

It could be Postpartum Depression
A number of cases of women suffering from Postpartum Depression are on the rise. If you’ve just delivered a baby and are feeling disillusioned and worried for no particular reason, you could be suffering from Postpartum Depression, also known as baby blues. It usually arises due to hormonal changes in the body.
Celebrities that have suffered from this disorder include Brooke Shields, Marie Osmond, Angelina Jolie, Courtney Cox, Katie Price, Amanda Peet and Gwyneth Paltrow among others.
Symptoms of PPD
Lack of interest in your baby
Negative feelings towards your baby
Worrying about hurting your baby
Lack of concern for yourself
Loss of pleasure and lack of energy and motivation
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Changes in appetite or weight
Sleeping more or less than usual
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Early identification and intervention improves long term prognoses for most women. Women should be screened by their physician to determine their risk for acquiring postpartum depression. Proper exercise and nutrition appear to play a role in preventing postpartum, and general, depression.
- Pregnant, nursing and postpartum women are strongly encouraged to seek the medical advice of their obstetrician, regarding optimal nutrition during pregnancy and after birth.
- Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Good natural sources of omega 3 fatty acids include edible linseed oil, certain fish, grass fed rather than grain fed meat, and eggs from chickens fed on flax seed or other feed high in omega 3 fats. Protein is found in meat products, eggs and Swiss cheese among others. It is recommended that pregnant women should consume ten 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Mothers who are nursing are strongly urged to drink a tall glass of water, milk or juice before sitting down to breastfeed their child.
- A pregnant and postpartum woman should speak with her physician for information about, and a recommendation for, a daily prenatal/postnatal vitamin supplement.
Treatment for postpartum depression
Psychotherapy: Individual therapy or group therapy can be very effective in the treatment of postpartum depression. Psychotherapy is often the treatment of choice because of concerns over taking medication while breastfeeding. Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on interpersonal relationships and issues, is believed to be particularly effective for postpartum depression.
Hormone therapy: Estrogen replacement therapy sometimes helps with postpartum depression. Estrogen is often used in combination with an antidepressant. There are risks that go along with hormone therapy, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best—and safest—for you.
Marriage counseling: If you are experiencing martial difficulties or are feeling unsupported at home, marriage counseling could be very beneficial.
Antidepressants: For severe cases of postpartum depression where the mother is unable to care for herself or her baby, antidepressants may be an option. However, medication use should be accompanied by therapy, as well as close monitoring by a physician.