Welcome to the Silver Lake Moms Club Post-Partum page!
It is our hope to offer some information that may aid in identifying symptoms, locating resources, and in finding help and relief for Post Partum Depression or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders.
Six Things Every New Mom Should Know About Perinatal Depression
1. Perinatal depression is common
It is the number one complication from pregnancy. In the US, 15 – 20% of new moms, or about 1 million women each year, experience perinatal mood disorders, and some studies suggest that number may be even higher.
2. You may experience some of these symptoms
- Feelings of sadness
- Mood swings: highs and lows, feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Changes in sleeping and eating habits
- Panic attacks, nervousness, and anxiety
- Excessive worry about your baby
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Fearing that you can’t take care of your baby
- Feelings of guilt and inadequacy
- Difficulty accepting motherhood
- Irrational thinking, seeing or hearing things that are not there
3. Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy, and up to the child’s first year
Baby blues, a normal adjustment period after birth, usually lasts from two to three weeks. If you have any of the above symptoms, they have stayed the same or gotten worse, and you are five to six weeks postpartum, then you are no longer experiencing the baby blues, and may have a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder.
4. You did nothing to cause this
You are not a weak or bad person. You have a common treatable illness. Research shows there are a variety of risk factors that may impact how you are feeling, including your medical history, how your body processes certain hormones, the level of stress you are experiencing, and how much help you have with your baby.
5. The sooner you get treatment, the better
Recent studies show that your baby’s well-being and development are directly tied to your physical and emotional health. You deserve to be healthy, and your baby needs a healthy mom to survive. Don’t wait to reach out for HELP. It is available.
6. There is help for you
There comes a time in every woman’s life when she needs help. NOW is the time to reach out to a caring professional who is knowledgeable about perinatal depression and who can help you through this time of crisis. He or she can understand the pain you are experiencing and guide you on the road to recovery. Contact Postpartum Support International 1.800.944.4773 or www.postpartum.net, or www.maternalhealthla.org, for referrals near you.
Local contacts:
Denise Momsen
Therapist
(626) 794-5949
Daria Portillo, MFT
Therapist
(415) 980-3953
1139 North Brand Blvd. Suite A
Glendale, CA
www.dariaportillo.com
Elyse Springer, MFT
Therapist
(213) 359-2970
4344 Fountain Ave, Ste A, Los Angeles, CA 90029
www.elysespringer.com
Ann Dypiango, LCSW
(818) 495-5814
https://www.lacanadatherapist.com
Tina Poppy
Post Partum Doula
(323) 379-4441
www.BondBabyLA.com
Lilit Pogosian
Reproductive Psychaitrist
(310) 220-5463
95 N. Marengo Ave, Suite 200, Pasadena, 91101
lpogosianmd@gmail.com
lilitpogosianmd.com
Huntington Maternal Mental Wellness Program
https://www.huntingtonhospital.org/Our-Services/Womens-Health/Pregnancy-Childbirth/Maternal-Wellness-Program.aspx
Julie Gedden
Psychaitrist
(310) 383-2026
6230 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 51
Los Angeles CA 90048
Websites:
www.maternalmentalhealthla.org
www.postpartum.net
Recommended blog:
www.postpartumprogress.com/about
Articles:
From the LA Times: “Fear of childbirth linked to postpartum depression, study finds”
From the Huffington Post: “The Truth About Being a Parent”
From the New York Times:“Thinking of Ways to Harm Her: New Findings on Timing and Range of Maternal Mental Illness”
From the Huffington Post: “What Post-Partum Moms Really Need”
From Postpartum Progress: “The Symptoms of Postpartum Depression & Anxiety (in Plain Mama English”
Peer support:
Several SLMC members have experience with PPD. Feel free to reach out to them directly using the contact information provided in our members only section.
Additionally, some of our club members and alumni who have encountered Post-Partum disorders have volunteered to talk with other club members about their experiences, to help connect newer moms to resources, or even just to listen. More info here.
If you feel you may be experiencing any of these symptoms, we understand! We really hope you will reach out for some support! Please know that you are not alone!