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Interior and Cover Designer: Jill Lee
Art Producer: Sara Feinstein
Editor: Seth Schwartz
Production Manager: Riley Hoffman
Production Editor: Melissa Edeburn
courtesy Matt Burd
ISBN: Print 978-1-64739-837-8
eBook 978-1-64739-534-6
R0
To L and R, for choosing me as your mother
To M, for making us a family
To my parents, on earth and in heaven
CONTENTS
Part 1:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Part 2:
TOOLS AND STRATEGIES
Part 3:
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION IN REAL LIFE
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One in five women will develop postpartum depression (PPD) after the birth of a baby. Another three or four will just feel like they were hit with a ton of bricks.
I didnt have full-blown PPD, but I was hit hard. I sure wasnt expecting those bricks. Id worked my entire adult life in the mental health field. I went to graduate school for clinical social work and became licensed. Id worked in a top university psychiatric training program, learning alongside psychiatry residents. But Id barely heard of PPD.
When I was pregnant, my OB-GYN took my vitals and screened me each visit for warning signs of preeclampsia. I drank a dreadful sugar drink to rule out gestational diabetes. But not one health-care provider warned me about the most common complication of childbirth.
I read every book I could on pregnancy and researched the best car seats, strollers, baby carriers, and diaper systems. Yet as I became a new mom myself, I was shocked at how hard everything was.
I was sleep deprived, hormonal, crushed at how little milk I was making, and seriously worried about my baby gaining weight. I was confused by conflicting advice about what to do, and the stakesmy babys survivalcouldnt have been higher.
Fast forward a couple years, as I prepared for my second pregnancy and birth. I did a lot of things differently. To be honest, I had a wonderful experience.
I briefly considered having more and more babies, so I could do it again. Next, I thought Id train to be a doula, so I could help other birthers. Id experienced how brutal and how transcendental the postpartum stage could be, and how a little bit of support, education, and encouragement could make that difference.
Then, something happened. It was the simplest of things. I was on my second maternity leave, perhaps only a few weeks postpartum. A friend called me. I remember I was at the park, pushing my toddler on the swings, wearing my newborn in a ring sling. The San Diego sun was warm during the October lunch hour.
My friend was anxious. She was overdue with her baby. She wanted to deliver in a birth center but was a day away from being too overdue to be admitted there. We addressed her fears, then looked at what was within her control. I helped her reframe her thoughts and practice things she already knew to bring calm and lift her mood.
And guess what? She had that baby before dinner.
That day I realized I already had the tools to help pregnant and postpartum people. I had been working in a cognitive therapy program and was already skilled at defeating depression and anxiety. Bingo! I just knew I could help clients with postpartum depression.
Ever since then, I have dedicated my therapy practice to helping people with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I have been overwhelmed by how powerful evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), are at treating and preventing PPD.
I have helped numerous people in my private practice and in my educational programs overcome PPD. I know you can benefit from this material, too.
Welcome! Im so glad you have decided to prioritize you and your mental health.
