Finding Information and Help with Pregnancy and Postpartum Issues

Resources:
Postpartum Depression and Other Pregnancy / Postpartum Disorders

Finding Information and Help with Pregnancy & Postpartum Issues

Whether you are looking for help for yourself or someone you love, it may be helpful to keep the following things in mind:

► There are many useful resources to help you with pregnancy and postpartum disorders. They include books, organizations and a range of health care providers. The help you need is available. You may have to do some checking, however, to make sure the practitioners (both MDs and therapists) you're working with are knowledgeable about PPD. Books and website information can provide a wealth of information, as well as confirmation that you're not alone. If you find some pieces of information that don't fit your experience or needs, you may want to read on to find the pieces that do.

► Getting help earlier rather than later can decrease the length and intensity of symptoms for the mother and suffering for the family. Postpartum depression and related disorders are very treatable. The important part is getting started with proper diagnosis and treatment.

► Postpartum disorders can be thought of as a syndrome, meaning that they include a group of symptoms that can arise from a number of causes. The multiple possible causes (one or more may be the main factor in any given case) include hormonal changes, lack of sleep, lack of social support, unrealistic expectations of pregnancy, birth or motherhood; history of losses or trauma.

► A variety of things may be helpful for someone experiencing a pregnancy or postpartum disorder. These include increasing social support, increasing sleep, appropriate exercise, nutritional changes, individual therapy, group therapy or medications. One or more of these treatments, or alternative treatments may be right for a particular person.

► An assessment by a knowledgeable professional or professionals is needed since other problems may mimic the symptoms of PPD. Physical issues, such as thyroiditis, should be ruled out. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, you and your provider(s) can make a plan that addresses your specific needs.

Information and Coping

Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshanna Bennett, Ph.D. and Pec Indman, Ed.D., MFT
Moodswings Press, 2003

This Isn't What I Expected: Recognizing and Recovering from Depression and Anxiety after Childbirth by Karen R. Kleiman, MSW and Valerie D. Raskin, MD
Bantam Books, 1994

Conquering Postpartum Depression: A Proven Plan for Recovery by Ronald Rosenberg, MD, Deborah Greening, Ph.D. and James Windell, MA
Perseus Publishing, 2003
Back to Resources List

Personal Accounts of Postpartum Depression

Sleepless Days: One Woman's Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Susan Kushner Resnick
St. Martin's Press, 2000

Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields
Hyperion, 2005
Back to Resources List

For Men/Partners

The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman, MSW
Xlibris Corporation, 2000

*This Isn't What I Expected: Recognizing and Recovering from Depression and Anxiety after Childbirth by Karen R. Kleiman, MSW and Valerie D. Raskin, MD
Bantam Books, 1994
Ch. 10 "Will My Wife Ever Be the Same?" : When Your Wife Has Postpartum Depression

*Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshanna Bennett, Ph.D. and Pec Indman, Ed.D., MFT
Moodswings Press, 2003

Ch. 4 Partners

*Website with Support and Information for Dads
www.postpartumdads.org

Back to Resources List

Websites

Postpartum Support International
www.postpartum.net

Women's Mental Health Program at Emory University
www.emorywomensprogram.org

Online Postpartum Depression Support Group
www.ppdsupportpage.com
*Website with Support and Information for Dads
www.postpartumdads.org

Back to Resources List

DVD

Feel Like Yourself Again: Understanding Postpartum Depression and Other Mood Disorders
RS Productions, 2005
(805) 434-2236
Back to Resources List

East Bay Pregnancy Support Group

Contact Gina Hassan PhD- Working with women and couples around pregnancy. www.ginahassan.com

East Bay Postpartum Stress Support Group

Contact Lee Safran, MFT at (510) 496-6096

Back to Resources List

* -indicates that source is listed in more than one area
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Click link to jump to the resource categories below. Information and Coping Personal Accounts of Postpartum Depression For Men / Partners Websites DVD-Postpartum Depression East Bay Postpartum Stress Support Group	Resources: Postpartum Depression and Other Pregnancy / Postpartum Disorders Finding Information and Help with Pregnancy & Postpartum Issues Whether you are looking for help for yourself or someone you love, it may be helpful to keep the following things in mind: ► There are many useful resources to help you with pregnancy and postpartum disorders. They include books, organizations and a range of health care providers. The help you need is available. You may have to do some checking, however, to make sure the practitioners (both MDs and therapists) you're working with are knowledgeable about PPD. Books and website information can provide a wealth of information, as well as confirmation that you're not alone. If you find some pieces of information that don't fit your experience or needs, you may want to read on to find the pieces that do. ► Getting help earlier rather than later can decrease the length and intensity of symptoms for the mother and suffering for the family. Postpartum depression and related disorders are very treatable. The important part is getting started with proper diagnosis and treatment. ► Postpartum disorders can be thought of as a syndrome, meaning that they include a group of symptoms that can arise from a number of causes. The multiple possible causes (one or more may be the main factor in any given case) include hormonal changes, lack of sleep, lack of social support, unrealistic expectations of pregnancy, birth or motherhood; history of losses or trauma. ► A variety of things may be helpful for someone experiencing a pregnancy or postpartum disorder. These include increasing social support, increasing sleep, appropriate exercise, nutritional changes, individual therapy, group therapy or medications. One or more of these treatments, or alternative treatments may be right for a particular person. ► An assessment by a knowledgeable professional or professionals is needed since other problems may mimic the symptoms of PPD. Physical issues, such as thyroiditis, should be ruled out. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, you and your provider(s) can make a plan that addresses your specific needs. Information and Coping Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshanna Bennett, Ph.D. and Pec Indman, Ed.D., MFT Moodswings Press, 2003 This Isn't What I Expected: Recognizing and Recovering from Depression and Anxiety after Childbirth by Karen R. Kleiman, MSW and Valerie D. Raskin, MD Bantam Books, 1994 Conquering Postpartum Depression: A Proven Plan for Recovery by Ronald Rosenberg, MD, Deborah Greening, Ph.D. and James Windell, MA Perseus Publishing, 2003 Back to Resources List Personal Accounts of Postpartum Depression Sleepless Days: One Woman's Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Susan Kushner Resnick St. Martin's Press, 2000 Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression by Brooke Shields Hyperion, 2005 Back to Resources List For Men/Partners The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman, MSW Xlibris Corporation, 2000 This Isn't What I Expected: Recognizing and Recovering from Depression and Anxiety after Childbirth by Karen R. Kleiman, MSW and Valerie D. Raskin, MD Bantam Books, 1994 Ch. 10 "Will My Wife Ever Be the Same?" : When Your Wife Has Postpartum Depression Beyond the Blues: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression by Shoshanna Bennett, Ph.D. and Pec Indman, Ed.D., MFT Moodswings Press, 2003 Ch. 4 Partners Website with Support and Information for Dads www.postpartumdads.org Back to Resources List* Websites Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net Women's Mental Health Program at Emory University www.emorywomensprogram.org Online Postpartum Depression Support Group www.ppdsupportpage.com Website with Support and Information for Dads www.postpartumdads.org Back to Resources List* DVD Feel Like Yourself Again: Understanding Postpartum Depression and Other Mood Disorders RS Productions, 2005 (805) 434-2236 Back to Resources List East Bay Pregnancy Support Group Contact Gina Hassan PhD- Working with women and couples around pregnancy. www.ginahassan.com East Bay Postpartum Stress Support Group Contact Lee Safran, MFT at (510) 496-6096 Back to Resources List * -indicates that source is listed in more than one area Top of Page
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