The stork has been busy around here lately! From my North City friend who delivered a perfect baby daughter (at home, sans drugs, you go, girl!) to a South City couple who welcomed the cutest twins ever (via the beautiful generosity of a surrogate mother), my Facebook feed has been full of baby news.
The timing has me in a reflective mood, because five years ago this month − about a year after my youngest son was born − I realized I had postpartum depression.
It was incredibly isolating. I quit a job I loved because I just couldn’t keep it together, and I had no idea that 10 to 15 percent of new moms experience the same level of mental health trouble that I was having. (For some segments of the population, like Hispanic moms, the rate is even higher – and less likely to be diagnosed.)
My treatment was straightforward, and everything worked out fine. In fact, I gained enormous self-awareness and strength from the experience. But despite the fact that so many women go through it, I was never screened by any of our healthcare providers, nor did I really know what symptoms to look for.
According to a 2010 study, about 10 percent of new dads also experience depression after their child is born. Their symptoms tend to be different – irritability, withdrawal or emotional detachment are more common for men, while women may be fatigued, uninterested in eating, have trouble making decisions, feel guilty, undergo changes in their sleep patterns and, in a worst-case scenario, be suicidal.
You may not notice that a family member or friend is feeling this way, or you may write it off as normal (which it could be, because 85 percent of women experience “baby blues” that are less serious and go away on their own). But if you DO notice something and you’re worried:
It’s impossible to prevent the hormonal imbalances that lead to postpartum depression for many women, but there are some simple ways to brighten new parents’ day. By doing one of these, you build the social supports are an important protective factor:
By Amy De La Hunt, Health Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy De La Hunt is a journalist and editor who lives in the St. Louis metro area and works across the country as a writer, copy editor, project manager and editorial consultant on everything from fiction books to monthly magazines to blog posts. When she's not chauffeuring her teenage sons to activities, Amy is an enthusiastic amateur cook, landscaper, Latin dancer and traveler. Follow Amy on Instagram @amy_in_words
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch is hosting its annual Spring Fling for families on April 20. The fun includes an up-close look at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch horses, wagon rides through the 165-acre state-of-the-art horse farm and animal rehabilitation facility, and lots more.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym. Reservations are not necessary.
Young artists and their families are invited to complete a fun craft activity in the galleries at the St. Louis Artists Guild. This program is designed for Pre-K to elementary-age children and their families.
Preschoolers can learn, play, explore and grow at the Saint Louis Art Museum's Wee Weekend program for its youngest visitors. Join in on the adventure as your little one discovers new ways of interacting with art and each other.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.