I'm a mother of a two and a half year old and a three week old baby. Now I know that I love my kids and i basicly pushed for our newest addition, but now it seems that all I do is cry for no reason. And the other day I caught myself wandering why I even had her. I guess I'm just questioning on wether this a normal reaction sense I didn't feel this way at all with my first.

-- rebecca (lady11@mighty.co.za), August 19, 2002

Answers

Yes, postpartum depression [also known as the Baby Blues] is *VERY* common and very normal. And even through you did not experience it with your first child, from what you have described, this may be the problem now. The hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect us differently with each pregnancy. *PLEASE* call your doctor or midwife and tell them how you are feeling. There is help available! And if I can help, or if you just want to talk, please email me!

-- Heather Garner LMA, CLD, Ph.D. (labordoula@hotmail.com), August 19, 2002.

What you are experiencing may be totally normal. Get immediate help if you have any feelings that you really want to hurt your children. It is normal to sometimes want to throw your baby across the room when he/she won't stop screaming. It is NOT normal to actually plan to do it.

Ask your caregiver to check your thyroid levels now, and if the depression continues, check them again about 3-4 months postpartum. A percentage of women will experience a thyroid crash after giving birth. You are particularly at risk if you already have existing thyroid disease or a family history of it. Symptoms are feeling cold (I never got this one), weight gain, dry hair, and depression. The problem is easily treated with medication.

-Barbara

-- Barbara Stratton (WomanCareDoula@aol.com), September 26, 2002.