The Mother's Act

I'd like to share with you some very important information about a peice of pending legislation called the Mother's Act. The bill is designed to promote more Postpartum Depression research and provide additional services for those struggling with Postpartum/Perinatal Mood Disorders.

To read the bill in its entirety, click here. For additional information and updates about the bill and PPD progress, visit Katherine Stone's Blog Postpartum Progress.

The bill needs your support to pass Senate. Here is a simple petition that you can sign. You can also help by posting this information on your blog or copying and pasting this post and e-mailing it to your friends. Thank you!

Below are some organizations that support the Mother's Act.

• Postpartum Support International
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Children's Defense Fund
• March of Dimes
• American College of Nurse Midwives
• Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
• Mental Health America
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• National Women's Law Center
• National Partnership for Women & Families
• National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
• Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
• American Psychological Association
• American Psychiatric Association
• Postpartum Resource Center of New York

Q&A About my PPD

I've gotten several questions about my Postpartum Mood Disorder and know that there are many people who may feel a little awkward around me or others who have a form of PPD, after all, it is an illness that people are just learning about and it differs from person to person. So I thought I would take some time to answer a few common questions that relate directly to my situation. I am going to limit it to 5 questions for now. Feel free to e-mail me with additional questions, perhaps I can add another post.

1. Q - Did you have PPD with Xylie? A- Yes I did. It was a moderate case then and pretty scary because I did not know what I was dealing with at the time. I didn't have what I thought were "normal" depression symptoms.
2. Q- What are your symptoms? A- I have several. I experience panic attacks, mostly triggered by commotion or clutter. I know these two things can make most people edgy, but with the PPD, my tolerance level has gotten even lower. Loud noises confuse me. I have trouble making decisions in the grocery store, especially with the children. I have been known to stand in a particular isle as if I were frozen in time shaking. I am also very easily agitated and confused. The slightest tasks seem to overwhelm me and activities I once enjoyed (like party planning, etc. stress me out). Another symptom is a type of OCD. I have the obessions (intrusive thoughts, odd fears, etc.) but no compulsions (i.e. - handwashing, etc.)
3. Q- What does your treatment entail? A- Plenty of therapy. I am seeing both a psychiatrist to medication to help balance the chemical affects of the illness and a Christian Therapist who helps me get a Biblical perspective on some of my struggles. I find both necessary. Napp and I also have a plan to help me minimize stress and many of my friends are helping as well. Prayer and Bible study are a big part of my recovery plan as well as trying to eat very healthy and getting fresh air and exercise.
4. Q - When did you notice you had a postpartum mood disorder and when will you get better? A- I noticed symptoms when I was 8 months-pregnant with Zayden (it can start Prenatal). I started medication and therapy in Corpus. Things seemed to get better until we moved. Additional life stresses can act as triggers in PPD. We have had several in the past year (Napp's Job with A&M ending; Napp not having a new job until LATE summer; PapPap having the stroke; having a new baby; Moving across the country; adjusting to a preschooler who resisted the move and fought with terrible temper tantrums; Napp's extreme back pain; leaving a wonderful support system, etc.). Although we had so many wonderful blessings as well, the stresses, really did a number on my brain chemicals. They'd be pretty tough to handle without PPD. As far as when I will get better...that's a good question. I have some really good days and some pretty bad ones. In general it is rec. that I stay on the medication until I am symptom-free for at least 1-2 years. Hopefully, the symptom free part will get here soon.
5. Q- Should we treat you any differently? A- Not really. I could use some extra patience and prayer and there will be days when I may need some extra help and prayer. However, please treat me like you normally do. Feel free to ask me about how I am doing, etc. I am not ashamed of having PPD, so there is no need to feel awkward around me. I am also not a danger to anyone. Please don't ask me very personal questions around my daughter or other children.
   

Here is some additional general information that may be helpful as you spend time with me and others:

• How to help someone with PPD
• Supporting Someone with PPD from a Christian Perspective
  
• Symptoms of PPD

I hope the above was helpful. Blessings. Angela

Climbing Out of a Pit

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on the rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2

As I am reading Beth Moore's book "Get Out of That Pit!" I've been clinging to that pivotal verse. It fills my heart with such hope and as Moore writes, "God is in the hope business."

You see, I'm in a pit right now. I've briefly made mention in a previous post that I battle with a postpartum mood disorder (PPD). What I haven't shared were some of my darkest moments. Not the stuff people log on to read about. Stories about my kids are much cuter. And although those stories were all true and there is much blessing in my life; due to the illness, and PPD is a real illness, there also has been some gut-wrenching pain.

How often do you hear someone cry out the following in frustration "I'm going to have a nervous breakdown!"? Ever know someone who actually did? If not, you do now. I won't go into all the details, there is no point. But I did have a breakdown and one my doctor refers to as "at the least a psychiatric urgency, at most a psychiatric emergency." I was given two choices, one being to spend some time in a hospital and the other having family take care of me. So right now, the kids and I are in Pennsylvania. My mom, sisters, dad, aunts and grandma are all doing a fantastic job taking care of the kids and giving me the love, support and rest I need.

I'm blogging about this for three reasons.

#1 - I do not want shame to overtake me. There is no shame in mental illness just as there is no shame in cancer. If I hide in secrecy I feel that I would be hiding out of shame and I want to break it's hold on me. What I have is a very treatable illness. And because I am a child of God the outlook for me is even brighter. I am seeking all venues of help available to me because I want so much to get better for my beautiful children and wonderful husband.

#2 - I want to bring more light to the subject of Postpartum Mood Disorders. I didn't write depression, because to me depression is not broad enough to describe such a multifaceted illness. It is basically a chemical imbalance that occurs to some women during or after pregnancy. There is a link on this page to two PPD sites. One is the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation. If you or anyone you know is dealing with PPD or you think just may be experiencing it, please, please click on that link and get in contact with Helena Bradford. No matter what state you live in, she will lovingly assist you in getting the help you need. I can only imagine what condition I'd be in now without Helena. Remember it is not your fault. I need to remind myself of that daily.

#3 - I'm asking for prayer. Prayer for me physically and emotionally. Prayer for Napp. Prayer for the kids. Prayer for my family in PA who is taking care of us now so that we will not be a burden on them. And also prayer for when we return home. I'll have to "ease back into life" and before I am allowed to return home, Napp and I need to have a plan in place to help reduce some stress factors for me. Right now we don't know what that will entail, help with the kids, housework, more structure??? We're really not sure so please pray for wisdom and for all to fall into place. Pray that I will not let pride hinder my recovery.

Whoa. So there it is, my secret on a platter. I hope it was not information overload. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your love and support. And while I may be in a pit, I am not pitiful. With the help of my heavenly Father, I am getting out for good.... "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3