Preventing PPD: Summary of the plan

A few people have asked me to write about the plan I made and followed to prevent post-partum depression (a.k.a. post-natal depression or PND). I have had regular depression off and on since I was a teenager, and have a strong family history of it. I was quite depressed during my first pregnancy (and mildly depressed during my second) and was terrified of developing PPD. So I set out to figure out and do whatever I could to prevent PPD. Some of it I researched and planned, and some of it was just stuff I fell backwards into, but I never had any PPD (I, of course, had major hormonal mood swings the first few weeks, but those aren't PPD).

I could honestly write a book about this, so there's no way it will fit into one post. I'm thinking it'll probably take me half a dozen or so posts to put up the basics.

Please note that I'm not guaranteeing that doing all the things in my plan will prevent PPD, but if you do all of them you'll have created a support system for yourself that will act as a safety net so if you do develop PPD those people will be able to help you get treated ASAP.

Here's the outline of what I did, and what I'll talk about in my posts on this:

1. Setting yourself up for a Good birth (my definition of Good is pretty simple)
2. Getting your feeding support in place before you give birth
3. Getting your other support in place for the first few months
4. Finding your tribe
5. Taking care of yourself physically
6. Taking care of yourself emotionally
7. Staying afloat during really rough waters

Comments

[JEn]

This is definitely something I'm concerned about, with my similar history of depression. I'm looking forward to these posts!

[Jen (yup, another one)]

Thanks, Moxie. Can't wait for the rest.

[AmyinMotown]

I am looking forward to these posts! I am still, one year out, having a hard time finding my tribe and have trouble believing that the ONLY cool moms live in the computer!

[beaver girl]

Can PPD kick in later? Like, just as a random example, at like 4 months. Asking for a "friend".

[heather]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you in advance, and in the moment for this whole blog and being you. You are keeping my freak-out levels quite low. :)

[Claire Gee]

Beaver girl,
I have never had PPD, but I think I know a fair ammount about it. Because I have several relatives with a psyc history (including my twin) I was pretty nervous about my 3 pregnancies, and educated myself, and those around me, on what I might be dealing with.
The answer to your question is yes, it can kick in some time down the track. You can also develop PPD in subsequent pregnacies even if previous ones have been straightforward.
I hope things work out with your friend and that she gets appropriate help and support.

Moxie, your candour is fantastic. My twin in particular lives with quite a bit of stigma. The more people who are open and honest about mental illness, the better for those that deal with these issues everyday. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your honesty.

[Cecily]

Looking forward to this. I'm so clueless about all of it...

[PumpkinMama]

Moxie (or anyone else reading) I'm curious what people have to say about eating your placenta as a method of warding off PPD. I had PPD with #1, and when theoretical #2 comes along, I'm willing to take any/all steps to skip the PPD if I can.

And for Beaver Girl, my PPD didn't get into full swing until the 3-4mo mark - so yes that "late" and onset it realistic.

[Sarah]

Thanks so much for writing your thoughts on this! I think I had/have PPD from my first birth, but it gets a little confused because I had the "tragedy" of a baby who died soon after birth mostly due to labor trauma.

I'm finally getting ready to try for #2 and really like your description of "good birth" on your next post. It was very affirming to think of how even a planned c-section at 36 weeks (or an emergency c-section earlier- those are my two likely birth scenarios) can still be a good birth and set the stage for a post partum period that will be less likely to include PPD. (I am expecting to regreive the loss of my daughter and normal hormonal swings, but would like to avoid PPD).

THANKS!