Holistic Ways to Treat Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a condition that affects one in seven new moms. It can cause major mood change including feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, erratic sleep patterns, change in appetite, lack of self-care, lack of pleasure and recurring thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. As the conversation about PPD grows, there’s even greater need for our healthcare providers to spot risk factors, beginning from the first prenatal visit through postpartum.

If you experience any of the symptoms described above tell it to a trusted friend, your health care provider, doula or midwife.

If you’re diagnosed with PPD, there are a number of holistic ways to treat it:

Eating – as a new you have to adjust to your baby and sometimes eating or self-care is the last thing on your mind. There’s so much pressure in our society about what a postpartum body should look like and some moms dying to get back to the pre-pregnancy body resort to dieting. Dieting while breasting or attending to a newborn will fluctuate your energy levels leaving you fatigued. Being fatigue adds to feeling overwhelmed, leaving you susceptible to depression. You should eat a diet which includes whole grains, lean proteins, leafy vegetables and foods that are a rich source of iron such as seafood and dried fruits.

Exercise– Exercise has been shown to have a very positive effect on your emotional stability. As soon as you able to, spend some time every day exercising. You can start with low impact exercise like walking. Exercise triggers endorphins  a hormones that gives you an increased sense of well-being, helping to combat PPD. Talk to your health care provider, they should be able to help you plan an exercise program that’s right for you.

Support Groups – support within our family or a close friend is a great way to deal with PPD. Most of us have aunts, cousins, friends and even our own mom who may have gone through PPD can help guide us on how to cope. The best support is that internal support our internal 'village', never be afraid to reach out to your family or close friends. If you’re uncomfortable talking to friends and family. You can call the hotline for postpartum support international. It’s a free online resource you can use to talk to a therapist (in English or Spanish) or you can also find a local chapter in your area.

Psychotherapy – Psychotherapy is often prescribed alone or along with anti-depressants. A therapist who specializes in treating postpartum depression will be able to understand your feelings and provide emotional support, helping you develop more realistic goals that are very important in order to completely overcome PPD.

Medication – not a holistic way but it’s worth mentioning. Some moms think of this as taboo – no mom wants to say I need medication to handle life birth. But there is no shame in going this route.  It helps with immediate issues such as sleep or appetite disorders. Anti-depressants are usually very effective for this purpose, you and your doctor should make a careful and thoroughly considered decision about which anti-depressants to take. Some can be administered in small amounts while you are breastfeeding, and some constituents have been linked with complications. If you’ve had an episode of postpartum depression in the past, you may be asked to take preventive medicine shortly after your baby is born or during pregnancy. This too, poses some risks, and should be thoroughly considered.

Did you suffer from PPD, how did you cope? Let us know below.