I am also mother of three children. It's hard work, isn't it?
I've struggled through two episodes of Postpartum OCD and yes, AD's helped. The first time around I went for help but was turned away even after confessing to intrusive thoughts.
Nutrition is indeed an important component of Postpartum Care. It's a good thing you were aware of this information. Many mothers are not. I certainly wasn't made aware of this component with my first or second episode but thankfully, through thorough research, I had come across a bit of this information by the time I found myself unexpectedly pregnant with my third child and was able to add nutritional supplements and dietary additions to my AD therapy. And I am grateful it worked for me.
This is where the MOTHER'S Act comes in. Through the MOTHER'S Act, many programs similar to ones you sought help from would receive additional funding. Also, there is the potential for more programs to be developed that would focus on alternative and complementary therapies. More and more research is revealing precisely what you've stated in your comment. In fact, a fellow PSI member, Cheryl Jazzar, writes a blog, www.wellpostpartum.com regarding Alternative & Complementary care for the perinatal period.
As a Coordinator with PSI, I often refer women to Cheryl's site for alternative therapy and nutrition information to complement any professional care they are already receiving. I have also supported many women as they seek to handle PPD without medication by referring them to naturopaths and other natural caregivers.
It is important that women - no matter what path they decide to take - receive professional care and attention if they are struggling emotionally after the birth of a child. Yes, AD's and therapy are an option for treatment. But that is just ONE option. Many of us within PSI are well aware of the natural options. We are trained to guide the mother through her choices that best fit her lifestyle. In fact, we are not at all allowed to push mothers into using medications. It's prohibited for us to explicitly speak about medications with mothers. We are able to point moms to research and encourage her to have discussions with her physician but we do not push moms to take drugs. The decision to take an AD is a very personal decision and should absolutely remain that way.
I DO support the MOTHER'S Act.
I stand to gain absolutely nothing from it's passage beyond the comfort of knowing that thousands of mothers suffering with Postpartum Mood Disorders will have access to educated caregivers. That they will no longer fear speaking up about any negative feelings they may have after giving birth. That their community and loved ones will rally around them because their emotions will be UNDERSTOOD and ACCEPTED instead of rejected, increasing chances of mild untreated PPD becoming PPP.
Do you really want to continue to leave these mothers in the dark with limited choices and options? Do you really want to leave them surrounded by the storm of stigma that circles in closer and closer every minute of every day? Is this something you could be at peace with? I certainly couldn't live with that, which is why I am doing all I can to ensure the passage of this bill, and why I spend every free moment providing peer support to women and families in need through my blog, message boards, and project for fathers. It's one of the first things I think about when I wake up and one of the last before I go to sleep.
What are you doing to actively support new moms on the Postpartum Mood Disorder road? How many moms have you helped? How many times have you heard a grateful mother thank you for giving her hope? When was the last time you reached out to a struggling mom to share with her your story?
Mothers and families deserve recognition and fair treatment - regardless of the inclusion of an AD. They deserve choices, options, education. Do you really want to deny them those choices?
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Muriel -
I am also mother of three children. It's hard work, isn't it?
I've struggled through two episodes of Postpartum OCD and yes, AD's helped. The first time around I went for help but was turned away even after confessing to intrusive thoughts.
Nutrition is indeed an important component of Postpartum Care. It's a good thing you were aware of this information. Many mothers are not. I certainly wasn't made aware of this component with my first or second episode but thankfully, through thorough research, I had come across a bit of this information by the time I found myself unexpectedly pregnant with my third child and was able to add nutritional supplements and dietary additions to my AD therapy. And I am grateful it worked for me.
This is where the MOTHER'S Act comes in. Through the MOTHER'S Act, many programs similar to ones you sought help from would receive additional funding. Also, there is the potential for more programs to be developed that would focus on alternative and complementary therapies. More and more research is revealing precisely what you've stated in your comment. In fact, a fellow PSI member, Cheryl Jazzar, writes a blog, www.wellpostpartum.com regarding Alternative & Complementary care for the perinatal period.
As a Coordinator with PSI, I often refer women to Cheryl's site for alternative therapy and nutrition information to complement any professional care they are already receiving. I have also supported many women as they seek to handle PPD without medication by referring them to naturopaths and other natural caregivers.
It is important that women - no matter what path they decide to take - receive professional care and attention if they are struggling emotionally after the birth of a child. Yes, AD's and therapy are an option for treatment. But that is just ONE option. Many of us within PSI are well aware of the natural options. We are trained to guide the mother through her choices that best fit her lifestyle. In fact, we are not at all allowed to push mothers into using medications. It's prohibited for us to explicitly speak about medications with mothers. We are able to point moms to research and encourage her to have discussions with her physician but we do not push moms to take drugs. The decision to take an AD is a very personal decision and should absolutely remain that way.
I DO support the MOTHER'S Act.
I stand to gain absolutely nothing from it's passage beyond the comfort of knowing that thousands of mothers suffering with Postpartum Mood Disorders will have access to educated caregivers. That they will no longer fear speaking up about any negative feelings they may have after giving birth. That their community and loved ones will rally around them because their emotions will be UNDERSTOOD and ACCEPTED instead of rejected, increasing chances of mild untreated PPD becoming PPP.
Do you really want to continue to leave these mothers in the dark with limited choices and options? Do you really want to leave them surrounded by the storm of stigma that circles in closer and closer every minute of every day? Is this something you could be at peace with? I certainly couldn't live with that, which is why I am doing all I can to ensure the passage of this bill, and why I spend every free moment providing peer support to women and families in need through my blog, message boards, and project for fathers. It's one of the first things I think about when I wake up and one of the last before I go to sleep.
What are you doing to actively support new moms on the Postpartum Mood Disorder road? How many moms have you helped? How many times have you heard a grateful mother thank you for giving her hope? When was the last time you reached out to a struggling mom to share with her your story?
Mothers and families deserve recognition and fair treatment - regardless of the inclusion of an AD. They deserve choices, options, education. Do you really want to deny them those choices?
Warmest,
April 9, 2009 - 2:30pmLauren
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