PPD? Questions & Tips for Postpartum Women

Do we really know how postpartum women are feeling?

Published on July 26, 2011 by Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW in This Isn’t What I Expected

To physicians and other healthcare practitioners:  If you are not asking these questions of each postpartum woman, you do not know how she is feeling:

To postpartum women: If your healthcare provider is not asking you these questions, take this list with you and be sure they know how you are feeling:

• Have you had PPD before?
• Do you have a history of depression?
• Are you sleeping okay when your baby sleeps?
• Any changes in your appetite?
• Are you experiencing anxiety or panic?
• Are you afraid to be alone with your baby?
• Do you feel more irritable or angry than usual?
• Are you worried about the way you feel right now?
• What worries you the most about the way you feel?
• Are you afraid you might lose control?
• Are you afraid of the thoughts you are having?
• Do you wonder if you’re a bad mother?
• If you are breastfeeding, how important is that to you?
• Do you ever have thoughts about hurting yourself?
• Do you find it hard to make decisions?
• Does your husband know how you are feeling?
• How do you feel about taking medication if it helps you feel better?
• Are there other stressful events that are impacting the way you feel?
• Is there anything you are afraid to tell me, but think I should know?

Tips for professional and family support:

• Do not assume that if she looks good, she is fine.
• Do not tell her it’s normal to feel this way after having a baby.
• Do not assume this will get better on its own.
• Do encourage her to get a comprehensive evaluation.
• Do take her concerns seriously.
• Do let her know you are there if she needs you

source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/isnt-what-i-expected/201107/ppd-questions-tips-postpartum-women

copyright 2011 Karen Kleiman  postpartumstress.com