Postpartum Depression Common Among New Moms

An arrest this week in Davie brings attention to the problem

At the daily discharge class at Memorial Hospital West new parents are prepared to take their babies home.  

“Most moms will go through some hormonal changes after birth. It’s very normal,” said nurse educator Claudia Rodriguez, RN.
 
Among the topics she covers is postpartum depression.
 
“It can happen to any one of us. If we have a family history of depression we’re more prone to it,” said Rodriguez, who is a registered nurse.
 
Seventy percent of women experience the so-called baby blues. It peaks at about four to five days after delivery and should go away in about two weeks without treatment.
 
“When it extends further after your pregnancy and you find yourself having trouble with daily activities or just taking care of the baby or factors of resentment, it’s a big whoa! That’s when we know it has taken a turn into actual postpartum depression,” said Kerry Foligno. She is also a registered nurse and a nurse educator at Memorial West.
 
Newborns usually wake up for feedings throughout the night, which means Mom will be waking up too.
 
“We definitely know from research-based information we have, lack of sleep is a big contributor and a huge risk factor to this,” Foligno added.
 
She said financial problems can also contribute.  
 
In a stark new local example of postpartum depression, Marci Conover of Davie was arrested Tuesday for attempting to set her trailer on fire. Her 4-year-old and her 9-month-old infant were inside, police said, and the baby's father described Conover as a good mother who was suffering from postpartum depression.
 
“Following the last month of her pregnancy she just started getting a little depressed,” said Day, who said he is on disability and that they get food stamps.
 
In rare and extreme cases, postpartum depression can be severe.
 
 “It can escalate to areas of wanting to hurt the baby and wanting to hurt yourself, which is our biggest concern,” Foligno sai.
 
She advises parents of newborns to seek immediate help if they notice any of the symptoms, which include loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
 
For more information got to www.postpartum.net.
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