Postpartum Stress Syndrome

Picking through "This Isn't What I Expected", I was looking over the spectrum, particularly Postpartum Stress Syndrom (adjustment disorder) and wondered more concretely how you differentiate between PPSS vs. PPD, PPA, etc.

Is Anybody Listening Out there?

This is some what of a rant post, but while I feel as though some of my efforts toward increasing awareness for PPD in my community are taken in, however, the majority of the time I feel like I'm speaking to def ears, blind eyes, and closed minds. It's amazing to see how much support PPD has back east and I have to think that's largely in part to the incredible pioneers who continued to make PPD an issue to those who were so quick to discount it. How do I make a bigger difference? How do I open minds, hearts, ears and eyes? Is it a matter of persistence? Is it a matter of knocking on the right doors and if I have knocked on the wrong doors initially, continue knocking?

Ugh. According to the Utah PRAMS Report (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) up to 64% of Utah Mom's report mild to moderate symptoms of PPD. Hello?! Why is this not being talked about in our neck of the woods! I have been trying to speak at the annual perinatal professionals consortium to address perinatal mood disorders (with no luck as of yet) because mental health and wellness continues to not even be touched. That is just not ok to me. Midwives telling me PPD doesn't exist with homebirths. OB's telling their patient's what they are feeling is normal or they can become dependent on medication or pull up their boot straps and be strong. Can ya tell I'm a little frustrated?

So, if you have made it this far through my rant, any thoughts on how I can make a larger difference in my community/state?

Placenta Encapsulation and PPD

Have any of you experienced Placenta Encapsulation with your clients as an alternative PPD mood booster to prescription meds?

Pediatric Nursing Triage

Hi Everyone--

We recently presented to a pediatric clinic and one of the nurses asked a question at the end that I thought was worth exploring. They field 500+ phone calls a day from mom's and dad's. The nurse wondered what things they could watch for and/or ask as they are interacting with these parents. One of the things I mentioned was a mom who called about their child's 100 degree fever and they are told to call if it goes higher. Then that parent calls three, four, five times NOT because the fever has gotten higher but because of anxiety and concern. But I'm sure there are many other things that could be observed via process not just by asking questions.

So my question to you all would be: What would you say to this nurse? What symptoms can be observed/assessed over the phone, what questions could be asked?

Thanks!

Kristin

Article ideas

I am considering writing a 3 part article series on PPD for a local women's magazine. One topic I know I would like to write about is the difference between PPD and The Baby Blues. Does anyone have any other ideas that you think the general public would like to know about? Thank you!

Home Visits

Alright clinicians, another question for you. What are your thoughts about home visits with PPD clients? I was thinking about Midwives and doulas often followup on the mother/father after the birth of the baby and have been thinking about the pros and cons of this. Thoughts?

Diagnosing

Hey all--

Just wondering how you are diagnosing PPD when dealing with the insurance companies. I've always been concerned about diagnosing as it is something that follows them and can haunt their future insurance coverage. I have a client who definitely has PPD, has insurance, needs help.

Thanks,
Kristin