POEM - Youngstown

Codey, Miller, Collins receive awards from Caldwell College

2010-03-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

CALDWELL – Caldwell College will celebrate its alumni’s professional excellence at its 25th Veritas Awards Dinner at 6 p.m. Friday March 26, at the Essex Fells Country Club in Essex Fells.
Mary Jo Codey, Class of 1977, will receive the Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy Award; Nancy Costello Miller, an attorney and Class of 1979, will receive the Excellence in Jurisprudence Award; and Edward Collins, Class of 1998, will receive the Excellence in Financial Management Award.
The Veritas Award is the highest honor the college bestows on its alumni for their professional excellence.
Codey has worked to raise awareness about postpartum depression and breast cancer. During her time as First Lady for the state, Codey advocated on behalf of the governor’s newly created Task Force on Mental Health as she had suffered from postpartum depression.

Codey helped to launch a statewide campaign offering evidence-based data, as well as local screening and medical resources for women, their families and health care professionals.
The campaign – “Recognizing Postpartum Depression: Speak Up When You’re Down” – featured Mary Jo in radio and public service announcements on TV.
As a result, New Jersey became the first state to commit resources to uninsured new mothers for postpartum depression screenings and treatment after the Postpartum Depression Screening and Education law was passed in 2006…

Rosemount woman will compete for state crown

2010-03-05T23:19:00.000-05:00

By: Nathan Hansen, Rosemount Town Pages

It took three years for Marie Kurle to feel comfortable talking to people about the depression she suffered after the birth of her second daughter. Now that she’s started, she can’t seem to stop.

This weekend Kurle will compete in the Mrs. Minnesota International pageant in St. Paul. Her platform will be postpartum depression, the impact it can have on a woman’s life and the need for increased understanding and better resources.

“I just want to be an example that you will get through,” said Kurle, a Rosemount resident. “It is not permanent and it is something that, you will have a life afterward.” …

Blogger Labels: Marie Kurle,postpartum depression,Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant

Screening for depression before, during and after pregnancy can help: Physicians believe this can make a difference to the mother and child [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

2010-03-03T15:42:00.001-05:00

… "We have been screening at Magee almost four years now," added Dr. Wisner, an investigator at Magee Womens Research Institute and a multidisciplinary professor at the University of Pittsburgh.

"What we found is roughly 14 percent are positive for [postpartum] depression, so that's our rate in Pittsburgh, actually 14.1 percent," Dr. Wisner said.

"Of women that were in that 14.1 percent, when we talked to them and asked when did [the depression] begin, it began post-birth in a third of them, during pregnancy in a third, and before pregnancy in the other third."

The results were even more startling in a collaborative screening program Magee has with DuBois Regional Medical Center, located about 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. "Their postpartum depression rate is 20 percent now," she said. The DuBois center screens for depression during pregnancy, as well, and those numbers are even more troublesome than those of depressed women postpartum: 29 percent during the first prenatal visit.

"Again the rural area has a higher rate of positive screens," Dr. Wisner said. "Some population groups are going to have a higher rate, so it's a big problem."

For example, according to the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, the rate of depression is higher among low-income families and more prevalent among parents who did not earn a high school diploma.

Depression can interfere with a woman's ability to care for her child. Interaction between mother and child can enhance a child's development if it is stimulating and responsive and nurturing.

"There is no question that if the mother is dealing with depression that you are going to have greater neonatal adaptation for the baby. There we're talking about what people typically refer to as bonding," said Ronald Thomas, director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine for the West Penn Allegheny Health System.

A doctor's ability to detect depression has limitations, according to neonatologist Nilima T. Karamchandani, chief of the Division of Neonatology, and medical director, of the Infant Apnea Center, both at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital.

Mother-infant bonding can be hard to measure, she said: "It is subjective to a certain point."

Entire families are affected, said Dr. David Wolfson, medical director of Children's Community Pediatrics, a network of pediatric practices and 104 pediatricians in the greater Pittsburgh area. It is affiliated with Children's Hospital.

"The issue is identifying these kids who are at risk because of parental depression. ... Anybody who thinks they're not seeing these families is just not recognizing [them]."

Each Children's Community practice either has access to, or has its own, behavioral therapist to provide family, child-centered, care.

The network also is planning a joint conference with women's health care specialists to learn more about postpartum depression and how to conduct screening. Dr. Wisner is among the speakers.

The local experts agreed more study was needed but that it shouldn't get in the way of screening and care.

"We know depression is not a good thing for the mother at least and probably not for the whole family, so let's give them the care while we do the research," Dr. Wolfson said.

Screening of pregnant and postpartum women can be as simple as observing their behavior, asking some questions, or administering any of several screening forms available for that use…

Screening for depression before, during and after pregnancy can help: Physicians believe this can make a difference to the mother and child [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

timestranscript.com - Take a mind-body approach to treating depression, anxiety | Dr. Martin Gleixner - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

2010-03-03T15:37:00.001-05:00

Dr. Martin Gleixner

Depression and anxiety are common mood disorders affecting many Canadians.

Enlarge Photo

It can be debilitating, but it is treatable.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself," "Calm down," "Try to relax," "Get out more," or "Get over it," are common pieces of advice that only contribute to making the person feel even more helpless.

A January 2010 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involving nearly 800 patients, examined the effectiveness of two commonly prescribed antidepressants, paroxetine (Paxil) and imipramine. This study found the drugs produced benefits only slightly greater than a placebo in patients with mild to moderate depression. Treatment alternatives without drug side-effects are therefore warranted.

Naturopathic care includes a medical assessment and diagnosis evaluation, including the interpretation of laboratory results. Treatments includes nutritional and exercise suggestions, the use of specific vitamins or minerals in medicinal doses as well individualized herbal or homeopathic combinations to address underlying functional or pathological imbalances.

Equally important is a mind-body approach that includes the integration of counselling practices and relaxation and stress management techniques.

Is it as simple as using natural remedies such as St. John's Wort or vitamin B12 commonly used to treat mood disorders? Although these remedies can be helpful, for a more deep acting and long-lasting effect it is important to consider a whole-body approach.

Whether it's seratonin (or other neurotransmitter) imbalances in the brain, hormone deficiencies, or inflammation in the body, the key is to first understand and address your own unique medical predispositions that are contributing to depression and anxiety.

In previous articles, I used the bucket analogy to explain detoxification and how one can prevent unpleasant symptoms after smoking cessation (see www.monctonnaturopathic.com for previous columns).

This same concept is also very useful to help us understand the underlying causes of mood changes.

Let me review this analogy again. Let's think of our body as a bucket (see embedded figure). Generally we are born in a state of health; our bucket is empty. As we go through life, a number of factors can interfere with our health. Perhaps it's a lack of sleep or exercise, a stressful job, pushing oneself too hard, feeling exhausted, excessive worrying or poor dietary choices that can contribute to increasing the level in our bucket. The level in our bucket represents our health status. Declining health comes with rising levels, an indication that the body is out of balance.

We are also exposed to a great number of toxins during the course of our lifetime. Our lung, kidneys, digestive tract, and liver can normally remove most toxins on a daily basis, but sometimes these detox mechanisms become inefficient or overwhelmed.

In addition, key systems in the body (such as the nervous or hormonal systems) can become imbalanced which can put the 'squeeze' on the bucket thereby significantly contributing to raising the level in the bucket. Deficient or inappropriate secretions of neurotransmitters or hormones are very important factors involved in both anxiety and depression.

Eventually, our bucket can overfill, leading to changes in our mood as well as other symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, skin reactions, muscle aches and pains, and unexplained weight gain (or loss).

So what can one do to address an overfilled bucket? We don't want to put a lid on the bucket by suppressing symptoms. Such quick fixes or band-aid solutions rarely work for the long-term and do not enhance overall health status. Rather, a more long-lasting way to improve our mood is to address all aspects that are causing our bucket to overfill…

timestranscript.com - Take a mind-body approach to treating depression, anxiety | Dr. Martin Gleixner - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

2010-03-02T20:56:00.001-05:00

Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Group Meeting

Date: Wednesday March 3, 2010

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Location: D.D. and Velma Davis Center, Boardman YMCA - Community Room

45 McClurg Road Boardman, OH 44512

Support Group Meetings will be held at this location the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
For more information contact Leslie at leslie@poemonline.org or (330)550-2838

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

MedEdPPD.org March 2010 Newsletter

2010-03-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

March 2010

Dear Colleague,
Numerous studies have linked infant temperament and childhood behavioral problems to postpartum depression in mothers, but a new study finds that mothers who are depressed during pregnancy are more likely to have children who become aggressive or violent during their teenage years. Dr. Dale Hay and colleagues at Cardiff University followed 120 British children from inner city areas and interviewed them at ages 4, 11, and 16. Teens whose mothers were depressed during pregnancy were nearly 4 times as likely to display antisocial behaviors compared with teens born to mothers who were not depressed during pregnancy. In addition, the researchers found that women who themselves were aggressive or violent teenagers were more likely to become depressed prenatally.
To learn more about the effects of perinatal depression in mothers, please view MedEdPPD's previously recorded teleconference, Effects of Maternal Depression, presented by Lisa Segre, PhD. This presentation includes information about how maternal depression can affect conduct in children and includes earlier research findings of Dale Hay, PhD…

MedEdPPD.org March 2010 Newsletter

Health Choices Network: Support your community!

2010-02-23T18:53:00.000-05:00

Dear Health Choices Supporter,

We want to touch base with our past members, prospective members and current members. If you haven’t joined Health Choices Network for 2010 we urge you to join and ask for your support to keep the only Mahoning Valley holistic health and living organization going. We have made some big improvements to our website to provide our members with their own profile pages so that they can tell prospective clients/patients/customers all about who they are and what they can do to help people on their journey. This spring, we will also be distributing our resource guide to thousands across the Valley so they can learn about all the great natural products and services right here. We have extended our deadline to allow for everyone to be able to be included in the resource guide, please turn in all forms and payments by March 15th. Payments can be made through our website for both membership and advertising or you can mail a check to our P.O. Box. Being a member and advertiser is a very inexpensive ways to advertise your business throughout 2010. We offer full page, half page & business card size ads in the resource guide. We will also be listing all of our advertisers separately on the website to give you even more exposure. Do you have lectures or events you are involved with? Email them to us and we can add them to our website calendar, if you are a member as well. The Health Choices Network is a not for profit organization with a volunteer based board that runs the organization to help small businesses like yours. We need your financial support in order to help you. For more information, call Kathy Frangos at 330-301-0356 or go to www.healthchoicesnetwork.com.

Upcoming Member Events in the Valley:

3/9/10 - Holistic Moms Network Meeting - Boardman Library – 6:30-8:30pm
“It's Your Money, Honey! Steps to Maintain Control of Your Financial Life”
Dan Betts, a Certified Financial Planner with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney will share practical tips on how women can maintain or regain control of their financial lives. Call Maria Marucci for details at 330-533-4357.

3/11/10– Dr. Ted Suzelis, N.D. - Naturopathic First Aid for the Family
Dr. Ted Suzelis, N.D. will be presenting a lecture entitled, “Naturopathic First Aid for the Family” on Thursday, March 11th at 6:30pm at his Boardman office, located in the Southbridge Execute Park at 725 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Suite K-4, Boardman, OH. For more information or to register for the event since seating is limited, please call the office at 330-729-1350 or email info@ohiond.com. Free admission.

Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

2010-02-23T18:39:00.000-05:00

MONDAY, Feb. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Women who experience depression during pregnancy may have another treatment option, new research suggests.
The study found that women treated with depression-specific acupuncture had a 63 percent response rate compared to a 44 percent response rate in women treated with control acupuncture or massage.
"We tested acupuncture as a standalone treatment, and the results are very positive," said study author Rachel Manber, a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine Sleep Medicine Center in Redwood City, Calif. But, she added, because this is the first study of its kind, and the acupuncture protocol used was specifically designed for this study, "you always need replication of the findings."

Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

New urban low-income moms risk depression - UPI.com

2010-02-22T19:13:00.000-05:00

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Pediatricians and doctors who treat low-income urban new mothers are advised to be alert to spot postpartum depression, U.S. researchers said.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found 56 percent of low-income urban mothers met the criteria of a major or minor depressive disorder at some point between two weeks and 14 months after giving birth,

"This is an unexpected, very high proportion to meet diagnostic criteria for depression," study leader Dr. Linda Chaudron of University of Rochester Medical Center in New York said in a statement. "This may be a group at high risk for depression." …

New urban low-income moms risk depression - UPI.com

PSI Perinatal Mood Disorders Trainings

2010-02-18T20:57:00.000-05:00

Postpartum Support International 2-Day Certificate Course in Perinatal Mood Disorders is scheduled in five U.S cities this Spring. PSI has developed a nationally recognized unique evidence-based training program for health providers and social support networks. For more information about registration please visit the PSI website link at http://postpartum.net.gravitatehosting.com/News-and-Events/Trainings-Events.aspx

Please contact us if you would like more information about the trainings or would like to find out more about sponsoring a training in your community. Here is the information about scheduled trainings:

· Tampa, Florida: February 19^th and 20^th

· Louisville, Kentucky: March 4^th and 5^th

· Visalia, California: March 14^th and 15^th

· Missoula Montana: April 15^th and 16^th

· Indianapolis, Indiana: April 22^nd and 23rd

Support Group Meeting 2/17/10

2010-02-14T22:05:00.009-05:00

Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Group Meeting

Date: Wednesday February 17, 2010

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

Location: D.D. and Velma Davis Center, Boardman YMCA - Community Room

45 McClurg Road Boardman, OH 44512

Support Group Meetings will be held at this location the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
For more information contact Leslie at leslie@poemonline.org or (330)550-2838

It's okay to reach out for help
That's why we're here

http://www.poemonline.org/

Support Group Meeting Tomorrow

2010-02-02T20:10:00.003-05:00

Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Group meetings resume tomorrow evening, February 3.

Time:
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:
D.D. & Velma Davis Center at the Youngstown YMCA
Street:
45 McClurg Rd.
Boardman, OH 44512
CLICK HERE for a map link and/or directions.

Support Group meetings will now be held in this location on the first and third Wednesday evenings of every month.

For more information contact leslie@poemomline.org or call 330-550-2838.

Fearful mothers finding help | The Columbus Dispatch

2010-02-01T23:00:00.001-05:00

Support group, doctors take on depression

By Misti Crane

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Tonya Fulwider co-founded a local outreach group.

At a time when they expected to feel joy, these mothers feel terror, desperation and inadequacy.

Family members and doctors might not even notice, because the moms seem to have it together.

Postpartum depression is common -- some estimates say it happens after one in five pregnancies -- but it remains underreported.

The malady is a mood disorder that varies from woman to woman but can be characterized by sadness, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. Some women have uncontrollable thoughts about how their baby could be harmed, such as falling out of their arms.

Many women go without support and treatment, which can include counseling, lifestyle changes such as getting plenty of sleep and exercise, and medication.

The new leader of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has made it his mission to boost recognition of postpartum depression by both doctors and new mothers.

"I wanted to bring it out of the closet for them, to let them know it's not them, it's a physical thing, and we can do a lot about it," said Dr. Gerald Joseph Jr., who works at the Ochsner Health Center in Covington, La. He took over as president of the influential doctors group in May.

He also wants his group to better study the disorder, including finding ways to help doctors accurately determine who is suffering and what type of help might be most beneficial to a particular woman.

This comes as welcome news to Tonya Fulwider, a leader in bringing recognition and support to Columbus-area mothers through the nonprofit group POEM (Perinatal Outreach and Encouragement for Moms). She and two other women began their effort to create POEM in 2004.

The members of POEM want to help stop the damage that postpartum does to the mother, her child and her family. The group focuses on mom-to-mom support, Fulwider said.

The group also guides women to medical and mental-health professionals. And Fulwider works to educate doctors, nurses and others most likely to help women recognize what they're going through.

Heidi Sommer McAlister, a Columbus psychotherapist who specializes in postpartum depression, said recognition has increased in recent years, but misconceptions persist.

"When the public hears postpartum depression, they generally think of a psychotic mom that is going to hurt her baby. In eight years of therapeutic work, I've never had a case like that."

What she does see are women who have anxiety, including panic attacks. Some feel they're out of control and are terrified about their baby's safety. She sees women who are overcome by guilt, or weighed down by sadness.

"I was completely worthless. I wanted my husband to find a better wife. I wanted my children to have a better mother," said Jobie Krantz, a Powell woman who has experienced postpartum depression twice. She found POEM the second time, after the birth of her daughter Evelyn.

"If I was holding the baby I would think, 'What if I drop the baby on the stairs?' Things that weren't logical to the outside world."

She choked up last week as she explained how far she's come, how joyful she was to be preparing for Evelyn's second birthday party, which was yesterday.

Through POEM, and a combination of therapy and medication, Krantz has come out of the dark, she said. She now mentors other mothers…

Fearful mothers finding help | The Columbus Dispatch

For help, or more information about postpartum depression, call 1-614-315-8989 or visit www.poemonline.org.

“Moving Beyond Prenatal and Postpartum Depression” with Shoshana Bennett, PhD

2010-02-01T22:44:00.001-05:00

Wherever you are in the world…join us for this Live Interactive Virtual Video Broadcast for Practitioners Physicians and Parents

“Moving Beyond Prenatal and Postpartum Depression”

with Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Clinical Psycholgist and Author of:

“Pregnant on Prozac”
“Postpartum Depression for Dummies”
“Beyond the Blues”

Saturday, February 06, 2010 from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (PT)

Learn the critical KEY strategies that every new mother needs to know about coping with, and recovering from, Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

In the “Live Virtual Video Broadcast” with Shoshana Bennett, PhD we will explore how to:

Debunk the myths:

* “This should be the happiest time of my Life!”
* Discover creative ways to put the brakes on ‘Burn-out’
* Accept and Embrace the importance of Self Care

Also learn how to:

* Create an ideal sleep schedule
* Devise a co-op sleep plan
* Discover sleep solutions that work for all your challenges

And more!

We will also be taking questions and discussing topics from our participants from around the world!

Listen below to an audio invitation from Dr. Shosh to this event:

or, see a video invitation to the broadcast here.

To register: Click here

Time: October 28, 2009 from 11:30am to 1:30pm
Location: Hilton Seattle
Organized By: Heidi Koss-Nobel, MA
Street: 1301 6th Avenue

City/Town: Seattle, WA 98101
Website or Map: <mapquest>
Phone: 425-802-6607
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)
Invite More People

Event Description:

Shoshana Bennett, Ph.D. (”Dr. Shosh”) is the author of Postpartum Depression For Dummies and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression . Her latest book Pregnant on Prozac was released on January 10, 2009. She’s also created guided imagery audios that are specifically focused on helping moms take care of themselves. National TV shows including “20/20″ and “The Doctors” feature Dr. Shosh as the postpartum expert and news stations consult her. Several publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News have written articles on Dr. Shosh’s work. She’s interviewed regularly on national radio and television and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Globe, Glamour, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, USA Weekend and the Chicago Tribune.

Dr. Shosh is a pioneer in the field and considered the “go-to” expert for postpartum depression. She is a survivor of two life-threatening, undiagnosed postpartum depressions. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, and is a former president of Postpartum Support International, www.postpartum.net . She has helped over 18,000 women worldwide through individual consultations, support groups and wellness seminars. As a noted guest lecturer and keynote speaker, she travels throughout the US and abroad, training medical and mental health professionals to assess and treat postpartum depression and related mood disorders. She earned three teaching credentials, two masters degrees, a Ph.D. and is licensed as a clinical psychologist. She is working to pass legislation that helps reduce the incidence and impact of postpartum mood disorders.

See more details and RSVP on Finding & Keeping Joy with Dr. Shosh

EMERGING TRENDS AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN MIDWIFERY

2010-02-01T20:41:00.001-05:00

EMERGING TRENDS AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN MIDWIFERY

All Ohio Midwifery Forward 2010

February 5-7, 2010

Cherry Valley Lodge

Newark, OH

This is an excellent conference!

Just getting the word out for those who may be interested!

With Joy,
Caroline

Caroline Schleappi, CD(DONA), ICPD, CPCE, CHBE, IAT-PD

The Columbus Doula

The Hopewell Center for Perinatal Services, President

Online at www.HopewellPerinatalCenter.com

Phone 614.620.BORN [2676]

Call for Abstracts - Marce Society and PSI annual conference in October

2010-02-01T19:12:00.001-05:00

Hello PSI Friends!

We are happy to remind you that The International Marcé Society and Postpartum Support International will hold their international meetings together in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on October 27-30, 2010. Below are details on submitting proposed presentations. The call for abstracts deadline is April 1, 2010.

You can submit your abstract directly from the Marcé conference website at www.marce2010.org.

Marcé Society President Katherine L. Wisner, M.D., M.S., has selected the overarching theme of the Marcé Society 2010 meeting: Perinatal Mental Health Research: Harvesting the Potential. Dr. Vivette Glover (UK) has agreed to chair the abstract review committee.

Structured abstracts will be considered (deadline April 1, 2010) for the following Presentation Formats:

· Oral Paper Presentations may be submitted by individuals. Sessions will consist of 20 minute presentations followed by discussion, and will be incorporated into a symposium with related papers. If papers are not accepted for oral presentation, they will be considered for poster presentations.

· Symposia. A chairperson must be named. The symposium must contain four papers, 20 minutes in length, with a 10 minute discussion period lead by the Symposium chairperson. The Chair may also present a paper. An overall abstract for the symposium, which provides the basis for the selection of papers, must be provided along with abstracts for each paper.

· Special Interest Group. This is a new format for the meeting that provides an informal discussion opportunity; no slides are allowed! Two organizers must be named to lead a discussion of a novel (not usually included in Marcé meetings) topic of interest to the membership. All members will be welcome to join the discussion.

· Posters. Posters are visual displays of program descriptions, research findings, clinical information or other topic content of interest to the Society.

The organizations:

The Marcé Society

The principal aim of the society is to promote the identification, treatment and research into all aspects of the mental health of women, their infants and partners during the perinatal period. Our interests span a broad range of disciplines and topics - ranging from basic science to health services research. The conference includes a wide range of topics of interest to the membership of the Marcé Society: 1) Promote discovery in the brain and behavioral sciences to fuel research on the causes of perinatal mental disorders; 2) Chart perinatal mental illness trajectories to determine when, where, and how to intervene; 3) Develop new and better interventions that incorporate the diverse needs and circumstances of women with perinatal mental illnesses and their families; 4) Strengthen the public health impact of research for women with perinatal disorders and their families. Presentations from representatives of all disciplines of health care and consumers of health care, from all countries, will be considered.

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI was founded in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties that women can experience during and after pregnancy. The organization offers support, reliable information, best practice training, and volunteer coordinators in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico, and more than 30 other countries. Working together with its volunteers, caring professionals, researchers, legislators and others, PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate and quality care is available to all families. To learn more, call PSI at 800-944-4PPD or visit www.postpartum.net.

Accommodations: Sheraton Station Square

Pittsburgh is a lovely city that is situated on the confluence of three rivers (the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers form the Ohio River). Our meeting site is on the Monongahela River near that confluence. Shopping, a comedy club, river and city tours, and good restaurants are within walking distance.

Wendy N. Davis, PhD

PSI Program Director

503-246-0941

Biology at the root of debilitating perinatal and postpartum depressions | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com

2010-02-01T19:03:00.001-05:00

By Angela Townsend, The Plain Dealer

The images are hard to miss -- and for some women, hard to live up to.

Magazine ads for high-end maternity wear -- and, it seems, every photo of celebrity pregnancies -- show images of women with impeccable hair and makeup and glowing smiles. Commercials for baby products depict an environment of easy bliss. Mom, Dad, baby and everyone else in their world appear healthy, happy, content.

It's no wonder, then, that anyone who falls short of these inflated images during and after pregnancy may feel a bit overwhelmed and guilty.

According to the March of Dimes, one in eight women suffers from postpartum depression, which can begin at any time within the first three months after delivery.

Unlike the "baby blues," a common condition that usually subsides within the first couple of weeks after birth, postpartum depression is real depression and can be so debilitating to the mother that it puts a newborn baby's health and care in jeopardy.

Perinatal (during pregnancy) and postpartum clinical depression are as severe and significant an illness as depression experienced by men and nonpregnant women, said Dr. Toni Johnson, associate director of behavioral medicine and counseling and director of emergency psychiatry services at MetroHealth Medical Center.

"It's a biological illness," Johnson said. "It has nothing to do with a person's character or desire to parent."

Women with a history of severe PMS are at higher risk for perinatal and postpartum depression -- and for depression during menopause.

"The reproductive cycle has a big impact on a woman's risk for depression," Johnson said. One common theory is that the hormones estrogen and progestin somehow influence brain chemistry.

That can provide essential clues as to whether a woman needs to seek treatment for depression, she said.

When Karen Gross of Lyndhurst begins working with a new client, she focuses immediately on the delivery.

"Sometimes, the way a woman's delivery goes [contributes to] postpartum depression," said Gross, a member of the Doula Network of Northeast Ohio. "Especially if it didn't meet her expectations -- if she wanted a natural childbirth but had to have an epidural or a cesarean."

Physical and hormonal changes, alone or coupled with life stressors, can precipitate the depression, Johnson said. For that reason, educating a woman early on about her reproductive life is important in the treatment of depression. But instead of focusing on changes in appetite, sleep and energy levels -- changes that often signal depression but that are hard to gauge in pregnant women and those who have just recently had babies -- physicians instead use another tool…

Biology at the root of debilitating perinatal and postpartum depressions | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com

Susan Kushner Resnick lobbies for bill requiring screening for postpartum depression - The Boston Globe

2010-02-01T16:21:00.001-05:00

Susan Kushner Resnick wrote a book in 2000 about postpartum depression because there wasn’t one when she needed it. After the birth of her second child, she had suffered four months of insomnia, anxiety, and unhappiness she knew wasn’t right but was undiagnosed by her doctor. Last week, the Massachusetts author spoke out in support of a state bill that would require screening for postpartum depression and referral for treatment. Her latest book, an account of a 1943 Montana mining disaster called “Goodbye Wifes and Daughters,’’ will be published March 1.

ELIZABETH COONEY

Q. Your memoir is called “Sleepless Days.’’ What was it like? …

Susan Kushner Resnick lobbies for bill requiring screening for postpartum depression - The Boston Globe

2010-02-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

Click to join postpartumyoungstown

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

Postpartum Support International Free Phone Chats - DADS call too!

2010-01-30T20:08:00.001-05:00

Posted by: "Wendy Davis" wdavis@postpartum.net

Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:32 pm (PST)

Postpartum Support International has free phone support chats each Wednesday
for Moms and the first Monday of every month for Dads. These sessions
provide a free forum for information, support, and connection. Our next Dads
call is coming up this Monday February 1.

THIS WEEK:
The Monday Chat for Men will be held on February 1, 8pm EST, facilitated by
David Miller, MD, PhD. David Miller, MD, PhD is an
obstetrician-turned-psychiatrist who specializes in women's mood disorders
with particular focus on Perinatal Mood Disorders. He is a founding board
member for Postpartum Education and Support, Inc. in North Carolina, and
maintains a private practice in Wake Forest, NC.

The Wednesday Chat for Women will be held on February 3, 9pm EST,
facilitated by Ilyene Barsky, LCSW. Ilyene Barsky, LCSW is a licensed
clinical social worker, PPD survivor, and founder of The Center for
Postpartum Adjustment,

This is a great opportunity to connect and receive support. You can join the
call to talk or just to listen to others discuss resources, symptoms,
options and general information with a professional member of Postpartum
Support International. You can talk from the privacy of your own home and
there is no need to pre-register or give your name. Sessions are
informational only and open to anyone with questions and concerns about
themselves, a loved one, friend or family member.

See this link for details.
http://postpartum.net/Friends-and-Family/Weekly-Chat-with-the-Experts.aspx

Postpartum Support Group

2010-01-30T18:29:00.000-05:00

Host:	POEM Youngstown

Date:	Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Time:	6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location:	D.D. & Velma Davis center at the Boardman YMCA
Street:	45 McClurg Rd.
	Boardman, OH

For more information contact leslie@poemomline.org

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals

2010-01-29T08:42:00.001-05:00

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
Facilitated by Miriam Maslin
Sponsored by WholeCare Chiropractic
Wednesday, May 3, 2010
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
4434 Carver Woods Drive, Cincinnati, OH
All of us have experienced loss within our own lives - illness,
relationships, disappointments, shattered dreams, deaths - as well as with
our clients- unexpected outcomes...shattered dreams. These are the dark
places that few of us wish to visit, and yet, once we discover our inner
wisdom and strength, we can help to bring light and healing to our clients,
the people we love, ourselves, and the universe.
Miriam has been a presenter at both DONA and Birthworks
International Conferences and has been hosted in close to 50 US and Canadian
cities.
   $125 Registration Fee (75% will be refunded for absence due to a birth)
   Participation limited to 15 ~ Registration Deadline: March 11, 2010
   5 DONA CEU's, 5 CAPPA CEU's, .5 MEAC CEU's (5 contact hours)
   For information and registration: Miriam Maslin
   E-Mail: miriam@miriammaslin.com ~ Tel: 516-478-9657
   For directions: Ro Poggioli
   E-Mail: lovelivenlaugh@hotmail.com ~ Tel: 513-886-2347
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as a
hospice volunteer. She incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of
energy/holistic healing) and spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam
has facilitated workshops for women's groups and professionals all over the
United States, Canada, and Israel. You can read more about her at
www.miriammaslin.com

Jenny's Light Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 1 - iContact Community

2010-01-29T08:40:00.001-05:00

No. 3, Vol. 1

Jenny's Light Newsletter - Volume 3, Number 1

Jenny's Light Links

Jenny and Graham's Tribute Video
Jenny's Light Candles and Apparel

Apply for the Jenny's Light Affinity Credit Card Today!!

Jenny's Quote of the Month:

“Ideas won’t keep. Something must be done about them.”

- Alfred North Whitehead

In this issue...

1. $25,000 Grant Announcement and Application

2. Go Home Gorgeous™ Partnership Raising Awareness and Funds

3. 2nd Annual Jenny's Light 5K Run Announcement

4. Sale on all Jenny's Light Clothing 50% off!!

5. Follow Jenny's Light on Facebook and Twitter

6. Mailbag

7. Forward to a Friend- Rachel Swardson is our latest winner!

1.
Jenny's Light Gives $26,000 in Grants!!

2010 Jenny’s Light Grant Applications are now being accepted through March 1^st. We will award up to $25,000 total in grant awards to organizations that are helping increase awareness of perinatal mood disorders.

We are seeking proposals to fund projects or programs designed to increase awareness of perinatal mood disorders that address one or more of the following:

Improve symptom knowledge and identification

Improve knowledge of supportive resources

Improve provider capacity to recognize and treat perinatal mood disorders

Lessen stigma or misconceptions associated with perinatal mood disorders

Jenny’s Light is particularly interested in innovative projects that will reach women, families, and providers from diverse backgrounds.

Eligibility for Grants

Applicants must be non-profit organizations (exempt from Federal income taxes under section 501c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), schools, governmental bodies, or under the supervision of such a group.

Funding

One or more grants up to a total of approximately $25,000 will be made to projects that best meet the above criteria.

Due date: March 1, 2010

Download Application

2. Jenny's Light and Go Home Gorgeous™ Team Up To Spread Awareness!

We are excited to announce that on January 1st, Jenny's Light began an awareness and fundrasing campaign with Go Home Gorgeous™, the Twin Cities' only in-hospital Postpartum Wellness service.

By working together, Jenny's Light and Go Home Gorgeous™ can truly be a force of wellness and empowerment for new parents everywhere. Promoting web traffic on the Jenny’s Light website will increase awareness of this potentially deadly disorder as well as advance the fundraising efforts that allow Jenny’s Light to continue it’s good works and outreach.

Go Home Gorgeous™ is the exclusive provider of Postnatal Body Therapy™ the only in-hospital wellness service in the country designed to help rest, restore and empower a new mother following delivery. This is the first step towards the self-care and self-awareness that is so critical to the health and happiness of a new family. Unsolicited feedback from labor and delivery nurses includes comments that new mothers who go home gorgeous sleep better, buzz less and request less medication. They have also reported an increase in attentiveness from new mothers regarding their discharge instructions. They are caring for themselves better. Read More...

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3. Announcing the 2nd Annual JENNY’S LIGHT 5K Charity Run

Sunday March 7, 2010 ~ Vasona Park ~ Los Gatos, CA ~ 10 am rain or shine!

·         Very scenic, flat & fast 5k (3.1 mile course)

·         Starts/finishes at Gateway Pavilion (near main park entrance off Blossom Hill Rd.)

·         New for 2010… a Kids ½ Mile Fun Run! (ages 5&under – 12, $10, $20 race day)

·         $25 entry fee before Feb 21, $30 Feb 21-Mar 5, $35 race day

·         Awards to top male/female in age groups + top male/female baby joggers. Walkers welcome too!

·         Silent auction & great raffle for all participants!

·         Interested in volunteering or sponsoring this event, please contact becky@beckylavelle.com

·         REGISTER TODAY at www.jennyslight.org or http://www.active.com/running/los-gatos-ca/the-2nd-annual-jennys-light-5k-charity-run-2010

**All proceeds go directly to Jenny’s Light**

4. Sale on all Jenny's Light Clothing 50% off!!

We have teamed up with Gear West Bike & Triathlon to bring you the official Jenny's Light clothing line. Gear West Bike and Triathlon has been serving the "tri-geek" and "roadie" community for over 13 years. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here to serve you and your needs! Feel free to stop in, or shop online. All proceeds go directly to Jenny's Light!!!

We now offer the following items:

Jenny's Light T-Shirt

Jenny's Light Winter Thermal

Jenny's Light Kid's T-Shirt and onesies

Jenny's Light Candle

Jenny's Light Water Bottle

These items will make great holiday gifts and the sale is running from Thanksgiving through Christmas so order soon before they run out!

Short-sleeve tee as seen on Jenny's twin-sister Becky Gibbs Lavelle in the October 2008 issue of Glamour Magazine.

Also, visit the Jenny's Light Shop to see all of our items, including our candle, jewelry, stamps, mugs, etc...

7. Facebook & Twitter

Facebook Update

We currently have over 6,600 members of our Jenny's Light "Cause Page" and have raised almost $24,000. We are currently working on raising money to produce and distribute our informational cards directly to new mothers and families at the hospital.

Special thanks to everyone who has donated on Facebook as well as those who've raised money through the Facebook birthday fundraising application. If you have a Facebook profile, please join our cause, set-up your own birthday fundraiser and help us grow by recruiting your friends!

Thank you for your support!!!!

You Now Also Follow Us On Twitter

Jenny's Light is now on Twitter. Sign-up today to follow our weekly (and sometimes more) "tweets". It's easy and free to join. This is just another way we are trying to reach out to as many people as possible with our message. Click here to get started.

8. Website Update

Please visit our site and take a look around. You will notice several new features and additions. We are working on many more for October so be sure to check back often!

Website Stats:

Overall (Since website launched on April 1, 2008)

Visits: 60,357 from 114 countries

Absolute Unique visitors: 47,228

Pageviews: 241,098

Pages/visit: 4.10

Avg. time on site: 3:41

9. Mail Bag

We greatly appreciate your letters and emails of support, feedback and personal PPD stories. This month, we'd like to pass along these kind words:

Hello, my name's Danielle.
I first became aware of Jenny's Light (site) almost two years ago when I was working for a bike company (Gregg's Green Lake Cycles) that stocked clothing from a really cool bike company that I can't recall the name of now. But I remembered going to their site and seeing a link for Jenny's Light and it's stuck with me for a long time. I work in Death Care now as a receptionist and I also make memorial jewelry particularly for mothers who've lost young children. I would like to ask you if it's OK to donate a percentage of the proceeds of my memorial pieces to Jenny's Light and if it's permissable to list that on the information that I package my pieces in?
Thank you for your consideration!

Danielle

10. Forward to a Friend- Rachel Swardson Is Our Latest Winner!

Rachel will receive a Jenny's Light short-sleeve vintage t-shirt for forwarding last month's newsletter to the most people using the Forward To A Friend feature at the bottom of each newsletter. Thanks Rachel!

Pass It On! Please use the Forward To A Friend feature at the bottom of this newsletter to forward to your friends and loved ones. Every month we will send a special gift to the person who forwards that month's newsletter to the most people. Thank you!

Become a supporter today!

Jenny's Light Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 1 - iContact Community

Mother Reach offers support for postpartum depression - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA

2010-01-28T22:49:00.001-05:00

Posted By HEATHER RIVERS, SENTINEL-REVIEW

It can feel like there is no way out of the darkness.

When you're suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) --a term used to describe women with symptoms of PPD -- it's tough to think it will ever end, said Heidi, who did not want to use her real name.

But now the pregnant mother of an 11-month old child says a Woodstock support group called Mother Reach has helped her understand that she's not going to feel this way forever.

"It shows you there is a light at the end of the tunnel," she said.

Heidi said she was diagnosed with PPD six months after the birth of her first child and was referred by the Oxford County public health unit to the drop-in support group.

"I thought I'd come here once," she said.

Typically, Heidi had felt uncomfortable in other "mom groups" where the other mothers made being a mom look easy, she said.

Heidi said her symptoms included nighttime panic attacks and constant worry "for no good reason."

"I was crying a lot during the day," she said. "All of a sudden, I couldn't cope with anything. I'd stand in the grocery store and couldn't decide between two cereals."

For Teresa, who has also changed her name to protect her identity, PPD left her feeling completely isolated…

Mother Reach offers support for postpartum depression - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA

The Progress News: Foundation seeks to educate about postpartum depression

2010-01-28T22:46:00.001-05:00

By Wendy B. Lynn Staff Writer
In 2007, Jennifer Mae Bowers lost her fight with postpartum depression in the most tragic way possible. However, out of that tragedy her family has found new hope by forming the Jennifer Mae Bowers Memorial Foundation for Postpartum Disorders to "create something positive from the tragedy that impacted so many of Jennifer's friends and family," according to her husband, Jeremy Condon.
Recently, the foundation presented a check to the Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library as the first of two $5,000 grants to be presented to the library this year and next.
Paula Marshall, director at the library, said Condon first approached her about the grant and they discussed various ideas about how the money could be used at the library. Ultimately it was decided that the money would be used for parent and family resources and self-help, especially in the area of depression and postpartum depression disorder. The resources will not only be geared toward adults, but will also include information for children in the form of picture and storybooks.
The disorder is "very serious and very common, one in eight women experience it," said Condon, adding that postpartum disorders are dangerously complicated health issues that involve not only the mother, but also the husband, baby and the other members of the family.
The grant came about, said Condon, because his wife valued education and education is the foundation's core because it can mean the difference between tragedy and recovery. The foundation, a 501(c)(3), was formed by Jennifer Bowers' family using what they learned to advocate for proper treatment of the disorder…

The Progress News: Foundation seeks to educate about postpartum depression

Stress, Anxiety Can Up Risk of Depression in Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

2010-01-28T17:11:00.001-05:00

(HealthDay News) -- Stress, history of depression, lack of social support and unintended pregnancy are among the major factors that contribute to increased risk of depression in pregnant women, a new study shows.

Other important factors are maternal anxiety, domestic violence and having public insurance coverage, said the University of Michigan researchers, who reviewed 159 studies conducted between 1980 and 2008.

The study appears in the January issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Depression, which occurs in about 12.7 percent of pregnant women, can cause problems for mothers and babies, including pre-term delivery, preeclampsia, sleep disturbances and disrupted mother-infant bonding.

It's important for physicians to know how to identify depression in pregnant women, said the study authors, who noted that not all women who test positive on depression screening tests have or will develop clinical depression.

"We are hoping that [health-care] providers can use the presence or absence of risk factors such as those identified in our study to enhance their assessments for depression in addition to the information they obtain from the screening test," study author Dr. Christie A. Lancaster, a clinical lecturer in the obstetrics and gynecology department at U-M, said in a news release.

Stress, Anxiety Can Up Risk of Depression in Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

An Emerging Best Practice Model for Perinatal Depression Care

2010-01-28T17:05:00.001-05:00

Dorothy K. Y. Sit, Cheryl Flint, Donald Svidergol, Joanne White, Michelle Wimer, Bettina Bish, and Katherine L. Wisner

Psychiatr Serv. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 January 27.

PMCID: PMC2811874

Published in final edited form as: Psychiatr Serv. 2009 November; 60(11): 1429–1431. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.60.11.1429.

Manuscript: | Abstract | Full Text | PDF–42K |

Ohio questions high rates of C-sections | The Columbus Dispatch

2010-01-28T03:07:00.001-05:00

By Harlan Spector

The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- New data on cesarean births in Ohio point to a troubling trend of unnecessary surgeries.

The state's new hospital-performance Web site, Ohio Hospital Compare, shows that more than one-quarter of first-time mothers considered unlikely to need cesarean surgery underwent C-sections anyway in 2008. The figures are consistent with a national cesarean birth rate that has climbed steadily since 1996.

Cesarean surgery is called for when there are problems, such as the baby is turned in the wrong direction. But across the nation, almost one in three births is now by C-section, and criticism has grown from health experts and birthing organizations.

Ohio health officials, under a mandate to collect and report hospital quality measures, are trying to put a finger on the problem by looking at C-section rates among women least likely to need one. They excluded mothers who have complicating issues.

Among 117 hospitals, they found wide variations in C-section rates for these low-risk women. Experts said that, at the very least, the data raise questions about whether hospitals with high C-section numbers are doing too many surgeries, which heightens health risks to mother and child and lengthens hospitalizations. Seven hospitals in the Cleveland-Akron area had rates exceeding 30 percent, which are among the highest in Ohio.

Ohio questions high rates of C-sections | The Columbus Dispatch

Decline in U.S. birth weights in recent years stirs concerns over longterm impacts | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com

2010-01-27T19:41:00.001-05:00

By Plain Dealer wire services

January 26, 2010, 4:30PM

HEALTH ROUNDUP

A glance at recent news

Birth weights decline in recent years

The study: Researchers from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute's Department of Population Medicine, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, analyzed data from nearly 37 million babies born full-term in the United States between 1990 and 2005.

Finding: The researchers had expected to see continued increases in birth weights, the result in part of women being older, weighing more and smoking less. Instead, they found that birth weights decreased an average of 52 grams (1.83 ounces) between 1990 and 2005. Birth weights of infants born to a subset of women previously considered to be at low risk (white, well-educated, married, nonsmoker, early prenatal care, vaginal delivery) weighed an average of 79 grams (2.78 ounces) less at birth during the study period.

Significance: The decline in birth weight might be evidence of serious issues on the horizon. Babies born small face short-term and long-term complications such as increased hospitalization and higher risk for chronic diseases in adulthood.

Comment: "A logical conclusion might be that trends in obstetric management, such as greater use of cesarean delivery and induction of labor, might account for these decreases in birth weight and gestation length," said Dr. Emily Oken, assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard. "However, our analysis showed that this was not the case."

Where published: The February issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Funding: The National Institutes of Health.

Decline in U.S. birth weights in recent years stirs concerns over longterm impacts | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com - - cleveland.com

Kim West: Sleep, Motherhood And Postpartum Depression

2010-01-27T17:37:00.001-05:00

Kim West

Kim West, LCSW-C, known as "The Sleep Lady," has helped thousands of tired parents gently teach thei ...

I see postpartum depression (PPD) a lot in the families who come to me with sleep issues. Exhaustion is a risk factor for depression. And depression makes it harder to sleep coach successfully, which in turn breeds more exhaustion. Women experiencing postpartum depression don't always recognize the signs so it's important for family and friends to be on the lookout.

Postpartum depression is common and doesn't always start in the first few weeks after delivery. It's not good for the mom, and it's not good for the baby, who may have more trouble forming a secure bond with a depressed, unresponsive mother. Postpartum depression has biological components. Pregnancy hormones plummet, affecting brain chemistry; a history of depression adds to the risk. Exhaustion, stress, and new-mom anxiety play a role. Depression does not mean you are a bad mother, an unloving mother, a failed mother. It does not mean that you will not feel better and enjoy motherhood. It does not even mean you will experience a similar depression after every birth (although you are at risk). Check out www.postpartum.net for resources, or call the hotline, 1-800-944-4PPD.

Better sleep, exercise, nutrition, and social support can help. You should also have your ob-gyn or family doctor rule out a thyroid problem. You may also need therapy, drugs or alternative treatments, support groups, or some combination thereof. Doctors can help you find an antidepressant, if necessary, that you can take while breastfeeding…

Kim West: Sleep, Motherhood And Postpartum Depression

Carole Sheehan's Profile | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

2010-01-27T16:31:00.001-05:00

Name: Carole Sheehan, M.A., R.N.

My Web site: http://www.carondelet.org/

Carole Sheehan is a nurse at Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona and the founder of the Tucson Postpartum Depression Coalition. She works to raise awareness about PPD and introduce screening as a method of prevention through prenatal visits. She also encourages the distribution of information about PPD to pregnant women so they have the tools and resources to get help when they need it.

My Updates

video: What Should A Woman Do If She Thinks She Has PPD? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

Posted by Carole Sheehan on Jan 25, 2010 - 11:14am

0 comments 36 reads

video: What Is Postpartum Depression? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

Posted by Carole Sheehan on Nov 29, 2009 - 2:58pm

0 comments 214 reads

video: What Motives You To Advocate For Women With PPD? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

Posted by Carole Sheehan on Nov 29, 2009 - 2:51pm

0 comments 111 reads

herstoryvideo: Carole Shares What Triggered Her PPD Symptoms (VIDEO)

Posted by Carole Sheehan on Nov 29, 2009 - 2:39pm

0 comments 182 reads

video: How Common Is Postpartum Depression? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

Posted by Carole Sheehan on Nov 29, 2009 - 2:33pm

0 comments 121 reads

Carole Sheehan's Profile | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

Treating depression by stimulating brain's pleasure center

2010-01-27T14:07:00.001-05:00

Even with the best of available treatments, over a third of patients with depression may not achieve a satisfactory antidepressant response. Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a form of targeted electrical stimulation in the brain via implanted electrodes, is now undergoing careful testing to determine whether it could play a role in the treatment of patients who have not sufficiently improved during more traditional forms of treatment…

» Read full article on[ScienceDaily: Mental Health Research News]

Ohio Department of Mental Health | Getting Treatment

2010-01-26T13:18:00.001-05:00

Getting Treatment

Finding the necessary treatment and support is essential in helping people move forward in their journeys toward recovery. Ohio’s public mental health system includes approximately 500 community mental health agencies. To find a list of certified and licensed providers in your region:

browse our interactive map of providers or

view our resource list to find other agencies and materials that can help.

Another place to access a wide variety of important information is Network of Care, which includes the following resources: a comprehensive service directory; links to pertinent web sites from across the nation; an easy-to-use library; a political advocacy tool and community message boards.

Ohio Department of Mental Health | Getting Treatment

Temporary Assistance For Families Funds Available For Families Needing Short Term Mental Health And Substance Use Treatment Services

2010-01-26T11:20:00.001-05:00

In the face of growing need for mental health and substance abuse treatment, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are notifying states about how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds can be used to help families in their communities in need of short term mental health or substance use treatment services.
The grant notification includes an explanation of how resources under the TANF Emergency Fund - a provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - can be used to support such services.
The TANF block grant provides states and tribes federal funds and wide flexibility to develop time-limited assistance programs, employment services for parents, and a broad array of specialized services - including mental health and substance abuse services - for struggling families in their communities. For example, a jurisdiction can use federal TANF funds to provide appropriate short-term counseling services such as mental health services.
"Now is a time of great stress for low-income families, putting those already vulnerable to mental health and substance abuse issues at even greater risk," said HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families, Carmen R. Nazario. "We recognize that the challenges facing families looking for a job are complex, and we are committed to building as many partnerships as possible in providing support to Americans in crisis."
"ACF and SAMHSA are working together to help ensure that TANF funds are available to states to support substance abuse and mental health services," said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "These funds can be used to provide relief to families coping with these disorders and trying to achieve self-sufficiency. All too often mental and substance use disorders are overlooked and go untreated which undermines the potential for recovery."
Source
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)

Temporary Assistance For Families Funds Available For Families Needing Short Term Mental Health And Substance Use Treatment Services

Ob-Gyns Encouraged To Screen Women For Depression During And After Pregnancy

2010-01-26T11:17:00.001-05:00

Screening for depression during pregnancy and afterward benefits women, infants, and families, according to a new Committee Opinion issued today by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (the College) and published in the February issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology...

» Read full article on[Mental Health News From Medical News Today]

Phlebotomy Technician Schools » 50 Foods Every Pregnant Woman Should Eat

2010-01-25T10:32:00.001-05:00

Carolyn Friedman

Most people are already very familiar with the foods that pregnant women must avoid – alcohol, excess caffeine, raw seafood, and the like – but few take pause to think about what they should consume. Experts generally recommend that pregnant women stick with the portions recommended by the USDA’s Food Pyramid guidelines, with specific boosts to certain nutrients such as iron, folic acid, fiber, Vitamin C, protein, calcium, Vitamin A, magnesium, and a few others. These extremely valuable substances help both mother and child healthy and safe by promoting blood flow, building tissues in the brain and other organs, fortifying the immune system, strengthening bones and teeth, allowing for better vitamin absorption, and numerous other benefits. The following foods ought to find their way into a pregnancy diet, even if some of them must be ingested in moderation or within certain parameters.

These are, of course, merely suggestions. The best way for a pregnant woman to figure out what dietary path is right for her always has been and always will be consultation with a healthcare professional. Doctors and nurses are far better equipped to dispense advice based on a woman’s age, possible food restrictions, and overall health, as pregnancies and those experiencing them differ from instance to instance.

Phlebotomy Technician Schools » 50 Foods Every Pregnant Woman Should Eat

Health Workers Trained To Take Emotions More Seriously May Prevent Depression Among Patients

2010-01-25T10:23:00.001-05:00

For most women, having a baby is a joyful experience. But it is not unusual for new mothers to be hit by grief, anxiety and depression. Global figures suggest that between 13 and 16 percent of women giving birth for the first time are struck by depression. For the second birth, figures boost to a worrying 30-40 percent...

» Read full article on[Pregnancy / Obstetrics News From Medical News Today]

Health officials look at C-section rates in Ohio

2010-01-23T13:27:00.001-05:00

By HARLAN SPECTOR, The Associated Press 2:21 PM Friday, January 22, 2010

Erin Denney, a 38-year-old mother of six, would not be counted in the new state measure because her first three children were born by C-section. But Denney said she ran up against cultural resistance when she sought to deliver her later children vaginally.

Her story highlights another reason C-section rates are high. A growing number of hospitals nationwide have banned vaginal births after C-section, due to risk of rupture of the uterus. That risk for women with the most common type of incision is 0.2 percent to 1.5 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic's online "Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) Guide."

About one-quarter of obstetrician-gynecologists said in 2009 that they stopped performing vaginal deliveries after C-section because of liability concerns, according to a professional society survey.

The practice is driving the national C-section rate, according to the International Cesarean Awareness Network.

Denney, who lives in Parma Heights, said she had to search hard to find providers that would allow her to give birth naturally.

"They will push you to have a C-section," she said. "It's actually safer to VBAC than to have a C-section."…

Health officials look at C-section rates in Ohio

WebMD Newsletter: Depression

2010-01-22T21:45:00.000-05:00

Friday , January 22, 2010

In This Issue:

• Migraines, Depression: A Genetic Link?
• Unexpected Benefits of Depression Treatment
• 'Tired, beaten and truly lost.'

Is Your
Antidepressant Working?
Antidepressants aren't one size fits all. That means what helps one person may not work
for you. The Truth About Antidepressants
Also See:
• Beating Antidepressant Side Effects
• How Different Depression Drugs Work
• Taking Antidepressants Wisely

Health News & Features

Migraines, Depression: A Genetic Link?
A new study shows that migraine sufferers are more likely to have
depression. Why the connection may lead to new treatments.
Also See:
• Surprising Headache Triggers: Your Boss (and More)
• Recognizing Symptoms of Depression
Unexpected Benefits of Depression Treatment
More sleep. Better love life. Improved health.
More ways depression treatment may help you.
Also See:
• 5 Reasons People Avoid Depression Treatment
• Common Myths About Depression
More From WebMD:
• Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help Bipolar and Depression?
• 9 Painful Symptoms of Depression

From The WebMD Network

• Suicide: Warning Signs and Ways to Lower Risk

Members Are Talking

'Tired, beaten and truly lost.'
"I vowed to never be like my suicidal mother," says this WebMD member. Now she's "out of control." She seeks help on the boards.
Read more on the Depression Support Group message board.

Doctors encourage depression screening during and after pregnancy | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

2010-01-21T23:48:00.000-05:00

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are peak times for women to experience depression, and routine screening for the condition should be a priority, say the authors of an opinion paper issued today in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
An estimated 14% to 23% of pregnant women experience depression, while 5% to 25% will have postpartum depression. The illness carries serious repercussions for both mother and baby, noted the authors of the paper. During pregnancy, depression raises the risk of preterm birth and other adverse outcomes. After the birth, the mother is not only impacted by depression but infants can suffer cognitive, neurologic and motor skill delays because the mother's illness affects her interactions with her baby.
"We recognize that postpartum depression is a serious health issue that we need to direct more attention toward," Dr. Gerald F. Joseph Jr., president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a news release. "Screening for depression during pregnancy is also important to identify it early on and to help prevent a worsening of the condition after delivery."
-- Shari Roan

Doctors encourage depression screening during and after pregnancy | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

Help is available for perinatal mood disorders | independent.gmnews.com | Independent

2010-01-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

The time when families begin preparing for the arrival of a new baby can be a time of joy, filled with hopes, dreams and high expectations for the future.
While many women feel this elation throughout their pregnancy, for some women, the periods before, during and after pregnancy are anything but happy, according to the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The consortium assists with the orderly provision and coordination of all hospital and community-based maternal and child health services within the region. This includes patient care from the prenatal phase through delivery and pediatric primary care.
According to the consortium, up to 80 percent of new mothers experience at least a brief episode of the “baby blues” — feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness or moodiness — within the first few days of giving birth. After a few weeks these symptoms typically disappear.
When symptoms persist or deepen, they may be a sign of postpartum depression or another perinatal mood disorder, a press release from the consortium states.
Perinatal mood disorders (PMD) include: anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorders and postpartum depression. The depression may be mild, moderate or severe.
According to the consortium, PMD is serious but treatable, and does not mean anything is wrong with a woman’s ability to be a mother.
PMD affects one in every eight to 10 women, but many people are uninformed. Any woman who has recently had a baby, ended a pregnancy, or has stopped breastfeeding can be affected by PMD, the press release states. The disorders usually occur within the first year after childbirth, miscarriage or stillbirth, but the signs of depression can appear earlier, when woman is pregnant or even planning to be.
While the exact cause is unknown, contributing factors may be biological, psychological or hormonal, according to experts. Family members can play an important role by recognizing the warning signs of PMD, helping the woman seek help and providing support.
The warning signs are different for everyone but may include the following: trouble sleeping or sleeping too much; feeling irritable, angry, nervous or exhausted; lack of interest in the baby, in friends and family; feeling guilty, worthless, hopeless, being a bad mother; crying uncontrollably; hypervigilance; thoughts of harming the baby or herself.
Perinatal mood disorders cause distress and adversely affect daily functioning and personal relationships. If left untreated, they can have long-term adverse effects on the woman and baby. Fortunately even the most severe cases are highly treatable, but the earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. A woman’s obstetrician/gynecologist, family physician and pediatrician can all be effective starting points for assessment and referral for treatment.
Women affected by perinatal mood disorders have numerous resources available to them. In the Monmouth County area, they can contact the Regional Perinatal Consortium at 732-363-5400 for more information.
The N.J. Department of Health and Senior Services provides a 24-hour statewide PMD helpline, 1-800-328-3838,
answer questions and provide information on resources, as well as a comprehensive informational website, www.njspeakup.gov.

Help is available for perinatal mood disorders | independent.gmnews.com | Independent

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: e-Update 2010

2010-01-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

New Podcasts: Treatment-Resistant and Postpartum Depression

All the Way Well: Alternatives for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Listen to the podcast
For people who struggle with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), the “usual” treatments like talk therapy and medication don't help much or don't help at all. The sadness, hopelessness and loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable persist. In this podcast, Glenn J. Treisman, MD, PhD, presents the notion that all treatment for mood disorders should strive towards the goal of being "all the way well." He discusses alternatives for treatment, consultation, and follow-up, and offers information that is invaluable for those with TRD or those who are supporting family and friends with mood disorders.

Dr. Glenn Treisman is professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and of Medicine, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is also the course director for the Educational Alliance for Consensus on Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), with which DBSA is a partner.

Postpartum Depression: More than Just the Blues
Listen to the podcast
Having a baby is a happy time for most women, but many women feel sad, afraid, or anxious after childbirth. While many women experience some mild mood change, or “blues,” during or after the birth of a child, 10-15% of women experience more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety…a more serious problem called postpartum depression (PPD). In this podcast, DBSA talks to Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a two-time survivor of life-threatening, undiagnosed postpartum depression, and Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW, an award-winning psychotherapist, author, and mental health expert. Ms. Stone has long been a staunch advocate for the Melanie Blocker Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act (H.R. 20, S.1375) legislation that will provide PPD public awareness campaigns, education, and funding for research and vital services. Learn more about this legislation and how to support it.

Susan Dowd Stone is chair of Postpartum Support International’s (PSI’s) President’s Advisory Council, as well as an adjunct lecturer on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work.
Dr. Shoshana Bennett is a licensed clinical psychologist and the former president of Postpartum Support International (PSI). She is also the author of several books, including Pregnant on Prozac and Postpartum Depression for Dummies.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: e-Update 2010

My EmpowerHER Conditions Digest

2010-01-20T01:42:00.000-05:00

Postpartum Depression

herstoryvideo:
Reva Shares When She Noticed Her PPD Symptoms (VIDEO)
Posted Reva Jan 20, 2010 - 3:04pm
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herstoryvideo:
Reva Shares Advice For Women With Postpartum Depression (VIDEO)
Posted Reva Jan 20, 2010 - 2:57pm
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Healthy Mom, Happy Families: Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders

2010-01-15T18:07:00.000-05:00

In the DVD Healthy Mom, Happy Family: Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders you meet four women – Nicole, Kim, Nina, Denise and husband David. All of the women have suffered and recovered from perinatal mood disorders. In sharing their experiences, these women will help reassure and educate new mothers, their family members and friends, and health care professionals. Their poignant stories are complemented by up-to-date information from three experts in the field: PSI President Birdie Meyer RN, MA; Pec Indman EdD, MFT; and Caroline Little Cribari MD, PhD.
Movie length: 13 minutes.

Healthy Mom, Happy Families: Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders

What Is Postpartum Depression? - Katie Monarch, L.C.S.W. (VIDEO) | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

2010-01-15T02:57:00.000-05:00

Katie L. Monarch:
My name is Katie Monarch and I am the Project Director for the Post Partum Depression program at St. Joseph Hospital, and we applied for a grant, which we received through UniHealth Foundation for three years to start a formalized postpartum depression program. And so what we did with that is, we designed an educational component as well as a screening, and what we are currently doing is we screen 100% of our moms here at St. Joseph Hospital through our Bridges program using the Edinburgh Depression Scale.

When a mom scores moderate to high off of that Edinburgh Depression Scale then the program follows that mom either from the time that she goes home or at four to six weeks she will receive a follow-up call from us doing the Edinburgh Scale again, and then she also receives another screening at three to six months.

Moms are able to enter the program at any time, and once they enter the program they receive treatment through individual counseling with a licensed clinician once a week, as well as a support group with other moms on a weekly basis.

The Post Partum Depression program is a little bit different than say a Mommy and Me group in the sense that it allows the moms to talk about how they are feeling, are they enjoying this, how are they bonding with the baby, how are they getting along in their relationships, how is their anxiety, sadness, any type of feelings that they may have.

We also work with our OBs, pediatricians, and family practice doctors, and we actually notify the OBs if a mom scores at bedside moderate to high, sending them a letter that lets them know that when their patient comes in, please let her know that she did score moderate to high on the scale and to give the Post Partum Depression program a phone call.

OBs’ offices as well as pediatricians make referrals. If they see more that they think may need a little bit of help, if she is tearful, if she is just not coping well, if she is overwhelmed, exhausted, they call as well, and the program will make a referral.

Postpartum blues begin at anywhere from three days and last up to ten days. And those are days that you may experience feeling down, tired, a little bit overwhelmed, but you do see some light. You can see that there is some blue in the sky. You can find some joy in life and the things that you like to do. You can find some joy in the baby or with your significant other, but you have some periods where you are depressed and down, but you have periods where you are feeling good.

Postpartum depression can last anywhere from right after birth up to a year. That’s where you have more bad days than you have good. So if I wake up on a continuous basis and I am just extremely overwhelmed, I am anxious, I am not able to sleep, I am having some thoughts of “What have I done? Oh my gosh! I don’t know what to do with the baby. I am frightened.” I start having perhaps some panic attacks, I am breathing, I think I am going to be fainting, than you are probably going into a postpartum depression. And the depression is basically lack of sleep, like I said, feeling overwhelmed, feeling anxious, sometimes having some obsessive thoughts about something, perhaps maybe the cleanliness of the baby. I have to change the baby every hour on the hour, or thoughts such as, ”I am afraid to carry the baby because what if I drop her or what if she rolls off the bed,” even though she may be one or two days old.

So that’s the difference. The difference between postpartum blues is, it’s kind of a depression that all of us experience in our lives, where postpartum depression continues and it just doesn’t seem to get any better.

About Katie L. Monarch, L.C.S.W.:
Katie Monarch is the Project Director for the Post Partum Depression program at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, where she helped design an education-focused facility. At this hospital all new mothers are screened for postpartum depression through the Bridges for Newborns program using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

What Is Postpartum Depression? - Katie Monarch, L.C.S.W. (VIDEO) | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

My EmpowerHER Conditions Digest

2010-01-14T18:24:00.000-05:00

Postpartum Depression

herarticle:
Postpartum Depression Therapy: Who Can Help Me and How?

Posted Susan Dowd Stone Jan 14, 2010 - 4:34am
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herarticle:
Postpartum Depression: Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting with Your Provider

Posted Susan Dowd Stone Jan 14, 2010 - 5:12am
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27% of low-risk births in Ohio done by C-section | chillicothegazette.com | Chillicothe Gazette

2010-01-11T19:23:00.000-05:00

BY JESSICA ALAIMO • CentralOhio.com • January 11, 2010

More than a quarter of the low-risk babies born in Ohio to first-time mothers are born by a Caesarean section.
There is also a wide disparity in these numbers within state hospitals, according to 2008 data just released by the Ohio Department of Health. The rates range from 6.6 percent to 60 percent.
Women who undergo C-sections face the normal risks of surgery -- infection, blood loss and an extended recovery time. Babies have a greater chance of respiratory problems or injury from the incision, medical professionals say.
Genesis Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville is near the state average. Dr. Bijan Goodarzi, an obstetrician at Bethesda, said the hospital also handles riskier pregnancies referred from elsewhere.
The hospital does not perform vaginal births with a previous Caesarian.
C-sections are frequently justified in low-risk situations, Goodarzi said. Women or unborn children might have physical reasons why surgery is needed, such as a contracted pelvis or fetal hemorrhaging.
Others are determined on a case-by-case basis. Once, Goodarzi said, a woman's husband was ready to be deployed to Afghanistan. While she wasn't ready to go into labor, doctors determined a C-section could be performed safely, so she could give birth before her husband left.
Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark has one of the lowest rates in the state --16 percent.
Dr. Elizabeth Koffler, an obstetrician at LMH, said the rise in the national rate, which is at 32 percent, has to do with more women having twins or triplets and also maternal obesity.
Women who request a C-section tend to have a fear of labor and also a fear of future complications, Koffler said.
Unlike some hospitals, Licking Memorial does do vaginal births after Caesarians, she said.
At Coshocton Hospital, nurse Amanda Poorman said C-sections are performed when they are medically necessary or directed by the obstetrician.
"For most of our primary (Caesarian sections), moms have at least had a trial of labor," Poorman said.
Twenty-nine percent of births were done by C-section there, but only 20 percent are primary operations -- meaning 9 percent had previously given birth by surgery, Poorman said.
At Berger Hospital in Circleville, the number of C-sections has remained constant at about 17 percent, said Barb Poole, director of maternity services.
Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton has the state's lowest C-section rate among first-time, low-risk births. Of these 1,315 births, 88 were Caesarians, a rate of 6.6 percent.
The hospital specializes in high-risk births, so there are a number of specialists on staff, said Dave McKenna, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Miami Valley.
"Some hospitals are too quick to do C-sections," McKenna said. "Babies do better after vaginal delivery. There is a lower rate of admission to the neonatology critical care unit due to low rates of respiratory problems ... they're more likely to successfully breast-feed."
Jessica Alaimo can be reached at (740) 328-8576 or jalaimo@nncogannett.com.

27% of low-risk births in Ohio done by C-section | chillicothegazette.com | Chillicothe Gazette

Percentage of C-sections varies greatly in different parts of Ohio | bucyrustelegraphforum.com | Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

2010-01-09T20:36:00.000-05:00

By Jessica Alaimo • CentralOhio.com • January 9, 2010

More than a quarter of the low-risk babies born in Ohio to first-time mothers are born by a Caesarian section.

There is a wide disparity in these numbers within state hospitals, according to 2008 data just released by the Ohio Department of Health. The rates range from 6.6 to 60 percent.

Women who undergo C-sections face the normal risks of surgery -- infection, blood loss and an extended recovery time. Babies have a greater chance of respiratory problems or injury from the incision, medical professionals say.

Janet Runner, vice president of patient care services at Bellevue Hospital in Sandusky County, said even though the hospital's C-section rate is higher than the state average, the mothers and babies have good outcomes.

"We have a system in place where we check all C-sections for appropriateness," she said.

Many women request scheduled Caesarian sections. When that happens, doctors have a frank conversation with the mom-to-be about the risks involved.

Total C-sections in Sandusky County stayed level, around 22 percent, between 1990 and 1995. They dropped off between 1996 and 2000, and have increased since then, according to state data.

In the late 1990s, the hospital had midwives on staff. Since midwives spend more time with their patients, the mom is more likely to give birth vaginally.

But more recent research showed having a traditional birth after a previous Caesarian is harmful to the mother. So more women who had a C-section had the procedure for subsequent babies, said Dr. Elizabeth Koffler of Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark.

Now, only a limited number of hospitals allow vaginal birth after Caesarians, which has become a special procedure.

Dr. Cynthia Flynn at Memorial Hospital in Fremont said repeat procedures are driving the hospital's increase in C-sections.

Generally, the decision to have a primary C-section is made by the doctor, but the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports a woman's right to choose a C-section for any reason, Flynn said.

Dr . Guy Capaldo, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Women's Care in Mansfield, said the C-section rate in his area is on par with the national average.

Common reasons for low-risk pregnancies to end in C-sections are because the baby is too big, or because it is not coming out head first. The baby also may have fetal hemorrhaging or some other symptom that requires a quick delivery.

Capaldo said he tries to avoid C-sections simply by request.

"They come in, they want to pick the day, want to pick the time that they'll have their baby," Capaldo said.

When that happens, he discusses the risks of both birthing methods. Going into labor has far fewer risks, he said.

Dr. Bijan Goodarzi, an obstetrician at Genesis Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville, said C-section requests don't happen often, but when they do they're handled on a case-by-case basis.

Once, Goodarzi said, a woman's husband was ready to be deployed to Afghan-istan. While she wasn't ready to go into labor, doctors determined a C-section could safely be performed, so she could give birth before her husband left.

There is some evidence C-sections are better for the woman's long-term health. Brazil, Goodarzi said, has the highest level of C-sections. Those women also have lower instances of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton has the state's lowest C-section rate among first-time, low-risk births in the state. Of these 1,315 births, 88 were Caesarians, a rate of 6.6 percent.

The hospital specializes in high-risk births, so there are a number of specialists on staff, said Dave McKenna, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Miami Valley.

"Some hospitals are too quick to do C-sections," McKenna said. "Babies do better after vaginal delivery. There is a lower rate of admission to the neonatology critical care unit due to low rates of respiratory problems. They're more likely to successfully breast-feed."

jalaimo@nncogannett.com 740-328-8576

Percentage of C-sections varies greatly in different parts of Ohio | bucyrustelegraphforum.com | Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

Cincinnati Doula Training May 21-23, 2010

2010-01-08T20:54:00.000-05:00

Posted by: "Pamela Bell"

Fri Jan 8, 2010 7:32 am (PST)

toLabor (formerly ALACE) Birth Doula Training May 21-23

Learn more about pregnancy and how to support birthing women and their
families at this 3-day hands-on training with experienced instructor, birth
advocate and doula Therese Hak-Kuhn. The training will be held at
Grailville in Loveland, just north of Cincinnati, Ohio on May 21-23. You
will receive resources and information about birth options and choices, all
necessary information to complete your full toLabor certification and begin
your career as a doula. Attached is a detailed brochure outlining the
organization and the training. A registration form is included in the
brochure and discounts are available for early registration and for doulas
previously trained with other organizations.
Please feel free to forward this information to lists or individuals you
think may be interested and help spread the word!
For further information or questions or if you are not able to view the
attachment, please contact Pam Bell at 513-313-2068 or
womenswisdom@gmail.com.

Pregnant women at risk for depression if stressed, lack social support | University of Michigan Health System

2010-01-06T21:45:00.000-05:00

Educating clinicians about how to identify and treat serious illness in expectant mothers is crucial to minimizing complications, researchers say

Meet the expert:
Christie A. Lancaster, M.D., M.S.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Some pregnant women are more likely to be depressed than others.

A new U-M study published in this month’s American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, finds that factors such as stress, mental health history, social support, and whether a pregnancy was intended, contribute to a woman being more at risk of experiencing depression than others.

“Depression has been associated with adverse outcomes for both mom and baby, including pre-term delivery, pre-eclampsia, sleep disturbances for both mom and baby, and maternal-infant attachment effects, in addition to its impact on the mother's daily quality of life,” says Christie A. Lancaster, M.D., M.S., a U-M clinical lecturer in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and lead author in the study.

Depression, experienced by as many as 12.7 percent of pregnant women, is a serious complication that, if identified, can be treated during pregnancy.

Lancaster and a team of researchers set out to study risk factors that could help doctors evaluate a patient’s risk for depression while pregnant.

The study consisted of a literature review that evaluated 159 English-language articles published between 1980 and 2008 conducted in the U.S., Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Those studies looked at risk factors such as maternal anxiety, life stress, history of depression, a lack of social support, unintended pregnancy, type of medical insurance, domestic violence, lower income, lower education, smoking, relationship status and poor relationship quality.

Numerous studies have been conducted regarding postpartum depression, but few have looked at risk factors for depression while a woman is pregnant.

U-M researchers felt that studies that concentrate on post-partum depression are not adequate in evaluating depression risks in pregnant women because factors such as pregnancy intention and social support may vary before and after the arrival of the baby. Therefore, those factors could potentially be related to depression at one time point but not another.

Because more organizations are now promoting screening women for depression during each trimester of pregnancy, researchers deemed it important to identify the risk factors.

Study results showed that maternal anxiety, life stress, prior depression, lack of social support, domestic violence, unintended pregnancy, relationship factors and public insurance have a high correlation with depressive symptoms in pregnant women.

Authors of this study say it’s imperative for practicing clinicians to be educated in identifying depression in pregnant women.

At the University of Michigan Health System, all pregnant patients are screened for depression during pregnancy even though not all women with a positive screening test will have or develop clinical depression.

“We are hoping that providers can use the presence or absence of risk factors such as those identified in our study to enhance their assessments for depression in addition to the information that they obtain from the screening test,” Lancaster says.

Additional authors: Christie A. Lancaster, MD, MS; Katherine J. Gold, MD, MSW, MS; Heather A. Flynn, PhD; Harim Yoo; Sheila M. Marcus, MD; Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP; all of the University of Michigan Health System

Funding: This study was supported by Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program

Journal reference: doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.09.007

Pregnant women at risk for depression if stressed, lack social support | University of Michigan Health System

Perinatal Loss Workshops in Ohio

2009-11-11T17:48:00.001-05:00

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
with Miriam Maslin
http://www.miriammaslin.com/workshops/perinatal.html
"Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss" is a six-hour workshop, limited to
a small group of 15 professionals, in which we will explore the challenge
through stories, meditations, sharing, and teachings.
All of us have experienced loss within our own lives - illness,
relationships, disappointments, shattered dreams, deaths - as well as with
our clients- unexpected outcomes...shattered dreams. These are the dark
places that few of us wish to visit, and yet, once we discover our inner
wisdom and strength, we can help to bring light and healing to our clients,
the people we love, ourselves, and the universe.
Miriam is currently booking her Spring 2010 Speaking Tour. If you are
interested in either hosting or attending a workshop in your area, please
contact her for information at miriam@miriammaslin.com.
She has presented concurrent workshops at both DONA and Birthworks
International Conferences and has been hosted in close to 50 US and Canadian
cities.
The perinatal loss workshop has been approved for CEU's by the following:
DONA, MEAC (Midwifery Education Accreditation Council), CAM and BRN
(California Association of Midwives and Board Registered Nurses),
FAM (Florida Association of Midwives), ATM (Assocation of Texas Midwives),
NMMA (New Mexico Midwifery Association), CAPPA Canada, and
CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia)
"I attended an enlightening and empowering workshop entitled, "Supporting
Women through Perinatal Loss" guided by Miriam Maslin, an amazing doula and
polarity therapist from Jerusalem. She didn't teach the session but guided
us to the awareness and answers that were within by encouraging us to learn
from each other and to trust in ourselves." ~ "The Neutral Fulcrum" by
MaryBeth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), International Doula, Volume 16, Issue
2, Page 9
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as a
hospice volunteer. She incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of
energy/holistic healing) and spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam
has facilitated workshops for women's groups and professionals all over the
United States, Canada, and Israel.
Miriam Maslin
pregnancy loss support and counseling
polarity therapy and spiritual care
workshops and seminars
p.o.b. 8375, jerusalem 91083 israel
in israel: 02-566-2379
u.s. number in israel: 516-478-9657
miriam@miriammaslin.com
www.miriammaslin.com

Action Alert!

2009-11-06T10:58:00.001-05:00

We are down to the wire days left before the final deadline for including Certified Professional Midwives in the Senate health reform bill!

We need everyone to CALL or FAX our TWO U.S. SENATORS from Ohio today! Our Senators are George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown.

Please ask them to take the lead in sponsoring an amendment to the Senate health bill to provide Medicaid payment of Certified Professional Midwife services.

Sen. Voinovich

phone: 202-224-3353

fax: 202-224-1382

Sen. Brown

phone: 202-224-2315

fax: 202-224-6321

Keep trying if you don't get through. We MUST make our voices heard and there are LOTS of groups calling about health care reformâ€"support for Certified Professional Midwives and out-of-hospital maternity care needs to get heard through all the noise!

Ask to speak with your Senator's legislative health assistant. Be sure to get his/her name. This is critical information for us to follow-up with the staff.

Please note that emails and messages left with receptionists are not effective!

Ask that your Senator take the lead in sponsoring an amendment to provide Medicaid payment for the services of Certified Professional Midwives, who are the only type of midwife in the U.S. with specialized training in out-of-hospital maternity care.

Call or email Karen Fennell and tell her who you talked with and any comments or additional information requested so she can follow up with offices. Call 301-830-3910

Some background information and talking points to add if you wish:

Pregnant women are being denied access to maternity care thanks to an oversight in Medicaid law that denies low-income women who seek out-of-hospital maternity care access to Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in all but 11 states.
Because of this gap in Medicaid law, thousands of women in states across the country unable to utilize the services of providers with a proven record of improving outcomes.
Denying pregnant women access to Certified Professional Midwives saddles our health care system with hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs each year.
Across the country in rural and urban communities, Certified Professional Midwives are already meeting the needs of pregnant women and their infants who have nowhere else to go at a time when many other maternity care providers have abandoned these communities to practice in more affluent suburbs and exurbs.
Demand for access to out-of-hospital birth under the care of Certified Professional Midwivesâ€"who are specially trained to provide itâ€"has increased 27% since 1996.
Research consistently shows that low-risk women who plan out-of-hospital births under the care of Certified Professional Midwives experience outcomes equal to low-risk women who give birth in the hospital, but with far fewer costly and preventable interventions, including a five-fold decrease in cesarean surgery.
Certified Professional Midwives have a proven history of reducing low birth weight and preterm birth, the main causes of neonatal death in the United States and two of the primary contributing factors to racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes, as well as to the costs associated with long-term care.

Maternal depression is associated with significant sleep disturbance in infants

2009-05-23T21:50:00.001-04:00

Public release date: 1-May-2009
[ Print | E-mail | Share ] [ Close Window ]
Contact: Kelly Wagner
kwagner@aasmnet.org
708-492-0930
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Maternal depression is associated with significant sleep disturbance in infants

This study is the first step towards characterizing the influence of maternal depression on infant sleep

Westchester, Ill. — A study in the May 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that babies born to mothers with depression are more likely to suffer from significant sleep disturbances at 2 weeks postpartum that continue until 6 months of age. Findings of the study are of particular importance, as sleep disturbances in infancy may result in increased risk for developing early-onset depression in childhood.

Results indicate that infants born to mothers with depression had significant sleep disturbances compared to low-risk infants; the high-risk group had an hour longer nocturnal sleep latency, shorter sleep episodes and lower sleep efficiency than infants who were born to mothers without depression. Although average sleep time in a 24 hours did not differ by risk group at eight two or four weeks, nocturnal total sleep time was 97 minutes longer in the low-risk group at both recording periods. High-risk infants also had significantly more daytime sleep episodes of a shorter average duration.

Previous studies have found that levels of cortisol, a hormone that is associated with stress, is increased during pregnancy and after delivery in depressed mothers, indicating that the mother's hormone level may affect the infant's sleep.

According to the lead author, Roseanne Armitage, PhD, director of the Sleep and Chronophysiology Laboratory at the University Of Michigan Depression Center, while maternal depression does have a negative effect on infants' sleep, the damage may be reversible.

"We do think that we could develop a behavioral and environmental intervention to improve entrainment of sleep and circadian rhythms in the high risk infants," said Armitage. "However, whether it is maternal hormones that "cause" the sleep problems in infants is not yet known. It could genetic, hormonal, or both. Regardless of the cause, they may still be modifiable since brain regulation is very plastic and responsive in childhood."

The study involved 18 healthy full term infants, half of whom were male. Seven infants were born to women with no personal or family history of depression and 11 were born to women diagnosed with depression or with elevated levels of depression symptoms. Five women were experiencing a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) episode during the beginning of the study.

Infants who were born to mothers who has past or present MDD according to the DSM-IV or who scored high for postnatal depression were placed in a high-risk group for depression; all other infants were considered to be low-risk. Both the mother and infants' sleep was measured with light and motion sensor actigraphy over the course of seven consecutive days at two-weeks postpartum and monthly thereafter for six months. Mothers were also asked to complete daily sleep/wake diaries. Mothers were recruited during the last trimester of pregnancy through perinatal mood disorders or obstetrics clinics at the University of Michigan.

Authors state that findings of this study claim that future work should attempt to determine if sleep in infancy is modifiable and to define the optimal conditions for entrainment of sleep to the nocturnal period. According to previous studies, untreated infant sleep problems can become chronic, with implications for the mental health and well-being of both the child and the mother. The difficulties of mothers who are already vulnerable to anxiety and depression will be exacerbated if they also are deprived of sleep.

###

SLEEP is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS), a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. The APSS publishes original findings in areas pertaining to sleep and circadian rhythms. SLEEP, a peer-reviewed scientific and medical journal, publishes 12 regular issues and 1 issue comprised of the abstracts presented at the SLEEP Meeting of the APSS.

For a copy of the study, "Early Developmental Changes in Sleep in Infants: The Impact of Maternal Depression," or to arrange an interview with the study's author, please contact Kelly Wagner, AASM public relations coordinator, at (708) 492-0930, ext. 9331, or kwagner@aasmnet.org.

AASM is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine and sleep-related research. As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers and laboratories for sleep related breathing disorders, the AASM promotes the highest standards of patient care. The organization serves its members and advances the field of sleep health care by setting the clinical standards for the field of sleep medicine, advocating for recognition, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, educating professionals dedicated to providing optimal sleep health care and fostering the development and application of scientific knowledge.

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Maternal depression is associated with significant sleep disturbance in infants

Please sign this petition!

2009-05-23T19:38:00.001-04:00

Kathleen Skestos sent a message to the members of Ohio Families for Safe Birth.
--------------------
Subject: Please sign this petition!
Dear Friends-
A recently revised Position Statement from the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) seeks to limit recognition of midwifery providers to those who have received their training through government accredited programs. The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) oversees the credentialing of midwives who have received their training through time honored and evidenced based systems that emphasize clinical competency over all other criteria (Certified Professional Midwives-CPMs).
NARM has posted an online petition in an effort to organize our voices and convince the ACNM to reconsider its position on apprentice trained midwives. This letter seeks to unite US Midwifery under the common goal of providing women with access to the provider and setting of their choice for birth.
We ask that individuals as well as state and national midwifery and birth advocacy organizations sign this petition.
There are many great opportunities mounting to move midwifery forward on both the state and national level. We must stand together as a community of midwives if we are going to have a real voice for change in maternity care. Whether you are a CPM, CNM, a midwifery consumer, advocate, or none of the above, please go to : http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.thepetitionsite.com%2F1%2Fsupport-evidenced-based-midwifery-education to read more details about this issue and sign the petition to make your voice heard.
Respectfully,
The NARM Board of Directors
--
Stephanie Beck Borden
Chair, Ohio Families for Safe Birth
Ohio families deserve access to licensed midwives...http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.safebirthohio.org.
--------------------
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Valley Hospital Hosts Press Conference for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

2009-05-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

Written by Susan Dowd Stone on May 12, 2009 - 5:29pm

Her Writer

Susan Dowd Stone

I was pleased to speak at a press conference organized by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Audrey Meyers, President of Valley Hospital, Dr. Fred Rezvani, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Sylvia Lasalandra. The press conference was held at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood NJ to galvanize awareness and continue the national momentum in support of The Melanie Blocker Stokes Mothers Act.

The responsive audience and numerous press representatives asked many excellent questions which gave an opportunity to address misconceptions about S 324 and talk about the fantastic opportunity this legislation presents to end the preventable suffering of thousands of America's mothers. Senator Menendez clarified that the bill does NOT mandate screening, but will seek research into the most efficacious methods of identifying these illnesses for earlier treatment and prevention.....

Valley Hospital Hosts Press Conference for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

Breastfeeding with Postpartum Depression on ADVANCE for Physician Assistants

2009-05-02T22:12:00.000-04:00

Vol. 15 •Issue 3 • Page 33
Breastfeeding with Postpartum Depression

New mothers who develop postpartum depression and who want to breastfeed their infants present a treatment challenge. SSRIs may be a safe and effective option for mother and child alike.

By Adam Slevin, PA-C

About 10% of women who have recently given birth experience postpartum depression (PPD),^1-11 making this disorder the most common complication of childbearing.^1-2 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) does not recognize PPD as distinct from major depression, but it does provide the addition of a postpartum-onset specifier for women with an onset of depression within four weeks of delivery.⁹ Correctly diagnosing and treating PPD is critical—especially considering treatments that are conducive for breastfeeding mothers......

Breastfeeding with Postpartum Depression on ADVANCE for Physician Assistants

Los Altos Town Crier - Baby blues: Early intervention critical for postpartum depression

2009-05-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

Written by Kris Peterson, MFT - Special to the Town Crier

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

“I couldn’t wait to have this baby,” a new mother confided to the intake therapist at El Camino Hospital’s Maternal Outreach Mood Services program. “We had wanted a baby for so long, this was a dream come true. I was elated when she was finally born, but within weeks things completely changed. I am exhausted all the time, even when I’ve slept well the night before. It’s as though the color has drained out of everything. I’m walking around in a gray fog, even the slightest thing seems overwhelming. Sometimes I just feel like I’m jumping out of my skin. How can I feel like this when I have a beautiful, healthy baby?”

This mom is not alone. One in eight new mothers will experience postpartum depression, marked by symptoms of fatigue, mood swings, sleep and appetite disturbances, guilt and loss of interest and motivation.

Los Altos Town Crier - Baby blues: Early intervention critical for postpartum depression

Assessing Risk and Benefit: To Treat or Not to Treat Major Depression During Pregnancy With Antidepressant Medication -- Parry 166 (5): 512 -- Am J Psychiatry

2009-05-02T22:03:00.000-04:00

Barbara L. Parry, M.D.

To treat or not to treat major depression during pregnancy withantidepressant medication is a critical question to cliniciansconcerned with the welfare of the mother, on the one hand, andthe healthy development of the infant, on the other. The patientand her psychiatrist face a dilemma: untreated depression inthe mother can impair the neurocognitive development of theinfant and result in preterm birth; medication use during pregnancyalso can impact the fetus and has been associated with an increasedrisk of preterm birth.......

Assessing Risk and Benefit: To Treat or Not to Treat Major Depression During Pregnancy With Antidepressant Medication -- Parry 166 (5): 512 -- Am J Psychiatry

Bloggers find supportive community | Straight.com

2009-04-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

By Gail Johnson

Sharing feelings of depression on-line, Web loggers make connections to help them through dark days

Back in 2004, Terra Atrill started blogging on MySpace. Never one to hold back on her opinions, she liked the fact that she could be her candid self on-line. But there was more to her Web log than fleeting thoughts. With a history of depression, Atrill’s posts were an efficient, easy way for her to track her moods.

After she became pregnant in 2005, Atrill became a mommy blogger. She was hooked on sharing her views with countless readers on-line.

“There is a huge community,” Atrill says of the blogging scene in a phone interview. “It is quite amazing to put something out there then get a few or 20 comments from people providing support or saying ,‘Thank you for saying this.’ ”

A single mom of a three-year-old girl, Atrill remains active in the social-networking world and regularly updates her blog, Mommy Is Moody. But she’s also experienced her share of Web-based hell.....

Bloggers find supportive community | Straight.com

NorthJersey.com: Their voices help fight against postpartum blues

2009-04-23T19:08:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

By COLLEEN DISKIN
"MOTHER LOAD" COLUMNIST

Ten years ago, The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood tried to start a support group for postpartum depression but couldn’t find enough new mothers who wanted to join.

Now there’s enough interest that the hospital runs two such groups — one for stay-at-home moms in the mornings and another for working moms in the evenings.

It’s not that there are that many more women overwhelmed by the emotions of childbirth, says group leader Trudy Hereema, a maternal-child social worker at the Ridgewood hospital; it’s that more women are comfortable speaking up about it.

For that, we can all thank some of the brave women who have spoken up before them. Women like Sylvia Lasalandra......

NorthJersey.com: Their voices help fight against postpartum blues

GOVERNOR QUINN PROCLAIMS MAY 2009 POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH IN ILLINOIS

2009-04-22T18:48:00.000-04:00

GOVERNOR QUINN PROCLAIMS MAY 2009 POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH IN ILLINOIS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2009
Contact:
Dr. Sarah Allen, Chair: 847 791 -7722, sarahfcallen@comcast.net
Chicago, Illinois -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is proclaiming May 2009 Postpartum Mood Disorders Awareness Month in order to raise awareness of the common illness experienced by moms and moms-to-be.
"I am proud to declare May 2009 as Postpartum Mood Disorders Awareness Month in Illinois. By increasing public awareness of these disorders, we can identify women who will benefit from treatment, saving them from unnecessary distress and suffering," said Governor Quinn.
Here in Illinois, the Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance (PPD IL) works to promote awareness, prevention and treatment of maternal mental health issues throughout the state. PPD IL offers a helpline (847-205-4455) and website (www.PPDil.org) for women and their families so they can learn more about pregnancy & postpartum mood disorders and access local resources such as support groups and trained healthcare providers.
"We want women to realize that they are not alone, they are not to blame and with help, you can be well again". Dr. Sarah Allen, Chair PPD IL Alliance.
The PPD IL Alliance is choosing May, as it is home to Mother's Day, to educate women and their families and friends about the nature of this illness. Approximately 15 – 20% of pregnant women and 15% of new mothers experience major or minor depression in the first year after giving birth. Symptoms differ for everyone but may include:
• Feelings of sadness, fear, anger and guilt
• Appetite & Sleep Disturbance
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• Lack of interest in the baby
• Many worries and panic attacks
• Possible thoughts of harming the baby or oneself
"In this day and age, I think it's deplorable that so many women still have to suffer in shame and silence with a disorder that, when identified and treated early, does not have to be an impediment to a woman and her family's ability to enjoy the birth of a child," said U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) who recently re-introduced H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act of 2009. "I lend my voice and full support of the work of the PPD IL Alliance and other groups throughout our state and nation who are as committed as I am to working to ensure that all new mothers get the support they need to ensure that this special time of their lives is a safe, healthy and happy one."
Symptoms of depression and anxiety occur in up to 20% of expectant and new moms, making these the most common complication of pregnancy, affecting nearly 1 million women every year in the United States alone. These emotional disorders cover a wide spectrum, including pregnancy depression and anxiety, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder and postpartum psychosis. Yet despite their prevalence, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are under-detected by health care professionals and many women go without treatment.
Vanessa, a survivor of PPD describes her experience:
I was diagnosed with post partum depression 6 weeks after the birth of my son. I was sleep deprived, anxious, short tempered with my family, and plagued by horrible intrusive thoughts of my infant son falling over the balcony, or falling down the stairs. I also couldn't look at knives and had to hide them away. I was so horrified by the vivid pictures of this in my head. As a result of these thoughts I could barely eat and was always nervous and anxious.
I knew this was not how it was supposed to be since I already had a 5 year old daughter and never suffered from these symptoms after her birth. I was afraid to be with my children alone so decided to stay with my mom for a few weeks. With medication and talk therapy I began my way to recovery. My saving grace was an online support group. I was able to read the feelings of others suffering and post my own. I felt an instant bond and was so thankful. I made a promise to myself and God that if I got through this horrible illness, I would help others. I was able to come off my antidepressant medication after 9 months and I became a moderator for PPDsupportpage.com and a telephone helpline volunteer for the PPD IL Alliance. My son is now 4 years old and I feel that time in my life was a blur. I make sure I spread the word about PPD and how common it really is. I feel that this illness was dealt to me for a positive reason. I am able to touch others that suffer and tell them that it isn't a life sentence. PPD can be treated and cured.
PPD IL Alliance is the Illinois subsidiary of Postpartum Support International, the world's largest non-profit organization supporting women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
For more information about pregnancy & postpartum mood disorders & PPMD Awareness month Contact: Dr. Sarah Allen, Chair IL PPD Alliance
847 791 -7722
sarahfcallen@comcast.net

Postpartum Depression Legislation Still Needs Your Support | MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

2009-04-15T09:41:00.001-04:00

Several weeks ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act by a significant bipartisan minority. The bill is now off to the Senate, where it sits in the Health, Education, Labor and Pension committee awaiting markup.

While the bill was passed in the House and has gained the support of many organizations including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, March of Dimes, and Postpartum Support International, the bill still needs your support.

There are many misconceptions surrounding this legislation, and several groups have attempted to portray the MOTHERS Act as a means of coercing new mothers into treatment. (It should be noted that the MOTHERS Act mandates neither screening nor treatment; its primary goals are to increase awareness and provide education to both new mothers and health care providers. In addition, it seeks to set aside funds for research and improving access to care.)

This is how you can help:

Susan Dowd Stone, former president of Postpartum Support International, has taken the lead in putting together a petition of those who support the MOTHERS Act. This petition is for everybody — whether you are a health care provider, a women with PPD, a friend or family member, or just someone who believes that we need to devote more attention and resources to postpartum depression. You can put your name on the list by contacting Susan Stone at susanstonelcsw@aol.com.

Please sign up today! This petition will be presented to senators in May, some time before Mother’s Day.

Postpartum Depression Legislation Still Needs Your Support | MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Come join me at Ginger Tea with Tiffani: "Labor of Love" on Pampered Pregger and Beyond

2009-04-13T20:00:00.001-04:00

Pampered Pregger and Beyond

Providing online education to the perinatal mama and professional

Tiffani Lawton

Tiffani Lawton has invited you to the event 'Ginger Tea with Tiffani: "Labor of Love"' on Pampered Pregger and Beyond!

Join us for an informative discussion with Dr. Dhar!

Time: April 16, 2009 from 10am to 10:30am
Location: Your Telephone!
Organized By: Tiffani Lawton

Event Description:
The third segment of our talk radio show, Ginger Tea with Tiffani, features "An Author's Tea" with Dr. Panchali Dhar.
Dr. Dhar discusses a poignant chapter from her recently released book, Before the Scalpel. “Labor of Love: Enjoy your child’s birth, remember the experience and not the pain.”
Some mothers think anesthesia affects the baby but that is not really true with epidural. The alertness, health of the baby depends on what’s gone on during the previous nine months. Dr. Dhar makes an interesting medical discussion.
Callers, please feel free to call in and ask questions!
Call 1-712-421-7475, then enter the Passcode: 241404
All times are EST
The show meets every Thursday morning at 10a EST.
Would you like to be a guest? Check out our schedule!

See more details and RSVP on Pampered Pregger and Beyond:

http://www.pamperedpreggerandbeyond.com/events/event/show?id=2124691%3AEvent%3A8613&xgi=4xcl5jJ

About Pampered Pregger and Beyond

An online community featuring education and networking for perinatal mama's and professionals.

203 members
122 photos
11 videos
46 discussions
67 Events
104 blog posts

To control which emails you receive on Pampered Pregger and Beyond, click here

Come join me at Reactivating Your Relationship on Pampered Pregger and Beyond

2009-04-13T19:59:00.001-04:00

Pampered Pregger and Beyond

Providing online education to the perinatal mama and professional

Tiffani Lawton

Tiffani Lawton has invited you to the event 'Reactivating Your Relationship' on Pampered Pregger and Beyond!

Come on out!!

Time: April 14, 2009 from 11am to 12pm
Location: http://www.pamperedpreggerandbeyond.com/chat/index/popOutWindow
Organized By: Tiffani Lawton

Event Description:
This chat covers issues that commonly present after baby arrives between partners. The focus is on understanding the emotions in the relationship and the adjustments required during this wonderful but stressful time. How to describe what you want or feel without making judgments, how to listen and validate one another and transform tension into closeness. Please join us and feel free to share your personal experiences.
Guest Chatter: Dr. Nadia Delshad

See more details and RSVP on Pampered Pregger and Beyond:

http://www.pamperedpreggerandbeyond.com/events/event/show?id=2124691%3AEvent%3A2449&xgi=5O57z1C

About Pampered Pregger and Beyond

An online community featuring education and networking for perinatal mama's and professionals.

203 members
122 photos
11 videos
46 discussions
67 Events
104 blog posts

To control which emails you receive on Pampered Pregger and Beyond, click here

Brooke Shields Supports The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

2009-04-13T17:52:00.000-04:00

Written by Susan Dowd Stone on April 13, 2009 - 1:14pm

Her Writer

Susan Dowd Stone

Nearly two years ago, on May 11th, 2007, at the invitation of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, actress and author Brooke Shields came to Washington DC to share her postpartum experience and urge Congress to pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. Her compelling testimony helped further awaken our nation to the reality of pregnancy related mood disorders and the need for action NOW.

She was joined that day by U. S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Former NJ First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Carol Blocker – Melanie Blocker Stokes mother – Sylvia Lasalandra and myself in a press conference encouraging every stakeholder - every mother, father, sister, friend, family member, loved one, Congressman and health care professional - to support this life saving bill.

After reaching out to Brooke's camp to inform her of the bill’s progress, Ms. Shields still strongly supports the passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. Here is a quote from Ms. Shields......

Brooke Shields Supports The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

A Little Heart to Heart about the MOTHER'S Act

2009-04-11T15:11:00.001-04:00

Posted by: "Lauren Hale" ppdacceptance@gmail.com ppdacceptance

Thu Apr 9, 2009 6:05 pm (PDT)

Dear Fellow Coordinators,
I write tonight to ask all of you to add your names to the growing list of
supporters for the MSB MOTHER'S Act at Susan Stone's website. You can do so
by emailing Susan directly at susanstonelcsw@aol.com. Be sure to include
your name, state, any credentials, and affiliated organizations. The list
she is developing will be delivered to Senators on Mother's Day.
I know PSI is listed as a national organization. But listing as an
organization has no value if our members do not step up individually to show
support as well. It is imperatively important we all speak up and add our
names to this list so our Senators will know their constituents need them to
support this bill. We cannot let the opposition defeat this desperately
needed legislation again!
Knowledge is power, it is prevention. With each of my subsequent
pregnancies, I became more and more educated about my options. I made
decisions in consultation with my physicians. As a Coordinator with
Postpartum Support International, I encourage women who contact me to
explore all their options, primarily social support resources. I do not
encourage medicating specifically (and cannot do so) but will support
whatever decision a mother makes. To medicate or not is a decision to be
made between a woman and her doctor. The MSB MOTHER’S Act respects this. PSI
respects this. I respect this.
As PSI volunteers, we support mothers on their journeys. As all of you know,
twenty percent of new mothers (new or experienced) will experience a mood
disorder. And up to 50% of their partners will experience depression as
well. The last thing we need to do is to close the door on them. I have had
this happen to me with no alternative treatment or options available. It is
a very scary place to be indeed and is why I do what I do. I refuse to allow
any mothers suffer in silence and fear as I did, holding on for dear life to
the precious hope that one day she’ll wake up and be normal again.
Please do not let this happen to any other mothers. Don’t let them suffer in
silence. Raise your voice. Let it be heard. Let mothers across the country
know they are not alone, they are not to blame, and they will be well, no
matter what road they choose towards help. Give them options instead of
taking them away. Help us educate physicians. Help us educate American
communities and remove the stigma and fear that all too often befalls a new
mother struggling with intrusive thoughts, sleepless nights, and sobbing
days. Let her know you are there for her. It is time to reach out with open
arms and bring back the village that once raised Mothers and Children. The
Desperate Village<http://www.coping-with-life.com/2009/04/desperate-village.html>is
running out of time and hope. Don’t let your voice be the one that
causes
their downfall. Speak up now.

ABC’S “GENERAL HOSPITAL” PARTNERS WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL

2009-04-11T03:47:00.001-04:00

April 7, 2009

ABC’S “GENERAL HOSPITAL” PARTNERS WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TO LAUNCH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

PSA Featuring Kimberly McCullough to Air on April 16;

May Sweep Storyline Will Integrate Real Life Mothers Afflicted with Illness

ABC’s top-rated daytime drama “General Hospital” has partnered with Postpartum Support International (PSI) to feature a public service announcement (PSA) on postpartum depression, it was announced today by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, president, PSI.

The informative PSA will air immediately following the THURSDAY, APRIL 16 episode featuring the ongoing storyline centered on Dr. Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) and her battle with the illness following the birth or her daughter, Emma. During May sweeps, she will finally come to terms with the affliction, deciding to seek professional help, and later join a support group that will be cast with real-life mothers who had postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is experienced by nearly one million women in the United States each year. The PSA will include information on the symptoms of postpartum depression, as well as how to contact Postpartum Support International to get help. It will remind new mothers and family members that no one is to blame for this illness, and that it is a treatable medical disease.

“As our viewers expect to be entertained each day, they also want to be educated when an important medical issue is integrated into storyline. I am sure some members of our audience are either directly affected with post partum depression or know someone who is, and we believe it is important to direct our audience to the organizations that can help them,” said Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer, “General Hospital.”

“PSI is honored that the producers and writers of ‘General Hospital’ felt the topic of postpartum depression was an important one to share with their audience,” said Meyer. “Millions of women’s lives can be saved by ending the fear and isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources. We are grateful to ABC Daytime following up with a public service announcement and helping to raise awareness of what is truly the most common complication of childbirth.”

Meyer served as a medical consultant for the postpartum depression storyline, and the public service announcement was written by PSI board member Katherine Stone.

In the past several years, “General Hospital” has worked alongside and been praised by national organizations for elevating the public awareness of several important health issues. These have included HIV/AIDS, bipolar disorder, drug addiction and breast cancer.

“General Hospital” airs at 3:00 p.m., ET and 2:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Television Network and on SOAPnet at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT. Recently awarded a record 10th Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama, the program celebrates 46 years of broadcasting on April 1, 2009, and is the longest-running dramatic serial on ABC, having aired more than 11,500 episodes. “General Hospital” is consistently one of the top Daytime programs in the key demographic of Women 18-49 and Women 18-34. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, its executive producer is Jill Farren Phelps, producers are Mary O’Leary, Mercer Barrows and Michelle Henry, and head writer is Robert Guza, Jr.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI was founded in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties that women can experience during and after pregnancy. The organization offers support, reliable information, best practice training, and volunteer coordinators in all 50 U.S. states as well as 26 countries around the world. Working together with volunteers, caring professionals, researchers, legislators and others, PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate and quality care is available to all families. To learn more, call PSI at 800-944-4PPD or visit www.postpartum.net.

Photography is available at:

http://www.abcmedianet.com/ or by calling (818) 460-6611. The PSA will also be available on MediaNet as of Friday, April 17.

ABC Daytime Media Relations:

Mitch Messinger (818) 460-6532 or mitchell.c.messinger@abc.com

Postpartum Support International:

Katherine Stone (678) 764-2141

-- ABC --

Postpartum Progress: MOTHERS Act To Drug America's Moms For Fake Postpartum Depression

2009-04-11T03:40:00.001-04:00

From Katherine Stone:

Wake up, Warrior Moms. Wake up people who work to prevent child abuse, people who work to prevent suicide, people who work to prevent preterm births, people who care about healthy families. Wake up, people who care about motherhood. Wake up, women of America. Wake up psychiatric professionals, nurses, OB/GYNS, pediatricians.

Here's an actual text of a communication being sent far and wide by the very loud and vociferous opposition to the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act to support increased funding, education and research for postpartum depression.....

Postpartum Progress: MOTHERS Act To Drug America's Moms For Fake Postpartum Depression

Monday Morning Memo Message

2009-04-11T03:29:00.001-04:00

To: HMHB Members
Date: April 6, 2009, Volume 11, Edition 14

- MONDAY MORNING MEMO -

This Week:
1) Webinar from Lamaze International
2) Multiple Births and Maternal Depression
3) Impact of Preterm Birth on School Performance
4) April is Autism Awareness Month
5) Resource on Health Care for Mothers and Children
6) Job Listing: AMCHP Associate Director

News from National
Last week I had the opportunity to Childbirth Connection's 90th Anniversary Symposium, "Transforming Maternity Care." What a milestone for this organization, who under Maureen Correy's leadership has served families and the field so well. For more information about the organization's unique history and their research, education and advocacy efforts, go to http://www.childbirthconnection.org/. Happy Anniversary, Childbirth Connection!

MATERNAL-INFANT HEALTH NEWS
1) WEBINAR FROM LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL
On April 22nd, Lamaze International will host a webinar, "Hospital Practices That Promote Breastfeeding." Scheduled for 12:00-1:00pm Eastern Time, the online session will teach participants how to support new mothers and babies through the process of breastfeeding. Learning objectives include: discover how long-term breastfeeding benefits mothers and their babies; understand the five evidence-based breastfeeding practices in hospitals; identify resources for adopting new practices and policies in medical settings; outline differences between the initiation and duration of breastfeeding; and learn how to promote safe breastfeeding policies in your local hospital. Space is limited. To participate, the price is $25 for members and $40 for non-members. After viewing this Webinar and passing a brief quiz, participants can earn one Lamaze and one Nursing contact hour. Register by selecting the live Webinar in Lamaze International's Online Education Store at http://eseries.lamaze.org/source/Orders/index.cfm?section=unknown&task=3&CATEGORY=WEBINARS&PRODUCT_TYPE=SALES&PRODUCT_CODE=WEB_HOSPRACT&SKU=WEB_HOSPRACT&DESCRIPTION=Webinars&FindSpec=&CFTOKEN=95621622&continue=1&SEARCH_TYPE=find&FindIn

2) MULTIPLE BIRTHS AND MATERNAL DEPRESSION
Mothers of multiple births are at increased risk of having depressive symptoms, according to a study published in the April edition of the journal Pediatrics. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort, researchers studied prevalence of moderate/severe depressive symptoms at nine months after delivery, adjusting for demographic and household socioeconomic characteristics and maternal history of mental health problems. They found that mothers of multiple births had 43% greater chance of having moderate/severe depressive symptoms in comparison with mothers of singletons. To read the study online, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1147.

3) IMPACT OF PRETERM BIRTH ON SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
A study in the April 2009 edition of the journal Pediatrics examined the impact that being born late preterm (34 to 36 weeks gestation) has on a child's prekindergarten and kindergarten performance. In "Early School-Age Outcomes of Late Preterm Infants" the study authors note that while late preterm infants are a significant portion of preterm deliveries, there has been an assumption that they carry minimal risk for long-term morbidities. However, the risk for developmental delay or disability was 36% higher among late preterm infants compared with those born at term. For more information, access the study online at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/e622.

CHILD, ADOLESCENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS
4) APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
During the month of April, organizations are encouraged to educate the public about autism and highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about this disorder. An average of one in 150 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Autism Society of America highlights eight ways you can celebrate Autism Awareness Month. To access their Web site go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness. In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a feature with information for parents on how to recognize the signs of developmental delays which could be a sign of autism. To access this information online, go to http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DetectAutism/. For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.htm.

ADVOCATES IN ACTION
5) RESOURCE ON HEALTH CARE FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
The National Center for Children in Poverty has created a fact sheet that examines state policy choices that promote access to quality health care for mothers and children. "Making Maternal and Child Health a Priority" was designed to inform the national and state-level debate on how to improve the health care system. It includes discussion of the current state of health care, including the percentage of young children without health insurance and information on how states can address the barriers children and parents face when accessing health care. To access the report online, go to http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_860.html.

6) JOB LISTING: AMCHP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is recruiting for an Associate Director for Women's and Infant Health. The Associate Director is accountable for the development, implementation and evaluation of program activities related to women's and infant health, maternal and child health, and data and assessment through cooperative agreements and other funding sources The Associate Director leads the Women's and Infant Health Team and contributes to the advancement of MCH programs. This position leads the tracking, analysis, and reporting on federal and state programs impacting women's and perinatal health and plays a critical role in fund development for women's and infant programmatic efforts. For more information about AMCHP, access their Web site at http://www.amchp.org/pages/Welcome.aspx. To download the job description, visit http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=3940&jb=5327633. For additional information about this job opportunity, please contact lramos@amchp.org.

Sources:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1147
http://www.amchp.org/pages/Welcome.aspx
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DetectAutism/
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.htm
http://eseries.lamaze.org/source/Orders/index.cfm?section=unknown&task=3&CATEGORY=WEBINARS&PRODUCT_TYPE=SALES&PRODUCT_CODE=WEB_HOSPRACT&SKU=WEB_HOSPRACT&DESCRIPTION=Webinars&FindSpec=&CFTOKEN=95621622&continue=1&SEARCH_TYPE=find&FindIn
http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=3940&jb=5327633
http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_860.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/e622.

____________________________________________________________________
Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of or the endorsement by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on the HMHB Web site at http://www.hmhb.org/disclaimer.html

Free Monday Phone Chat for Dads from Postpartum Support International

2009-04-11T03:24:00.001-04:00

Every Monday evening, Postpartum Support International has an informational phone forum for Dads, facilitated by an expert in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and recovery.

Imagine the benefits of being able to talk with a PSI PPD expert about resources, symptoms, options and general information about perinatal mood disorders from the privacy of your own home. No need to arrange child care or transportation. No need to pre-register or give your name.

Sessions are informational only and open to anyone with questions and concerns about themselves, a loved one, friend or family member. Limited to the first 15 callers,sessions are held every Monday.

*******************************Dads Chats********************************

There is no need to register, the sessions are live and free, and the facilitators are licensed, mental-health professionals. This is a place where dads, partners, extended family members or other support people, and professionals can find some answers and support from an expert – and from other men. Dads will find honest and compassionate talk about the adjustment to parenthood, information about how fatherhood can affect you, and some helpful advice. Participation can be anonymous.

MONDAY CHATS FOR MEN

“What can I do to support my partner?”

“Is it possible that I’m depressed too?”

“Am I the only guy who’s struggling with becoming a dad?”

Visit http://postpartum.net/info-sessions/ for call schedule and access codes

Need your help generating signatures for the MOTHERS Act

2009-04-11T03:10:00.001-04:00

From: Susanstonelcsw@aol.com

Hey Ladies and Gentleman:

Now that The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, we face an even more difficult challenge getting it to the senate floor and passed this year. With the help of Mary Jo Codey, Former First Lady, State of New Jersey, Sylvia Lasalandra, author of A Daughters Touch, and Katherine Stone, author of our nation's most widely read blog on PPD, Postpartum Progress, we are attempting to bring the movement of support to life by listing the names of constituents within each state that support this legislation.

We've gotten off to a great start, but have a ways to reach our goal of a thousand signatures from each state by MOTHERS Day.

Please help us build this additional, more personal demonstration of national support by encouraging your colleagues, family and friends to lend their names to this project. The stakeholders are anyone who has ever been a mother or a child. Please ask them to email me at susanstonelcsw@aol.com

with their name, state, any credentials, and permission to be listed.

To see the listings, go to http://www.perinatalpro.com/ppdlegislation/listingofsupporters.html

Thanks for all you do for women, children and families to support maternal child health!

Warmly,

Susan

Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
Chair, President's Advisory Council,
Postpartum Support International
NJHSS Certified Perinatal Mood Disorders Instructor
Adjunct Lecturer, Silver School of Social Work
New York University
Public Reviewer, NIMH
http://www.perinatalpro.com
201-567-5596 (office)
201-567-6597 (fax)
susanstonelcsw@aol.com

Postpartum Progress: MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Seeking Study Participants

2009-04-11T02:56:00.001-04:00

The Massachussetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health is conducting a new study titled "Escitalopram (Lexapro) for the treatment of postpartum depresson". It is a 2-month open label trial of Lexapro for women who have been feeling depressed and anxious since giving birth. Women would need to be able to go into the Boston office 5 times over a period of 2 months. If you are between the ages of 18 and 45, gave birth within the past six months, began to feel depressed and anxious within 3 months of giving birth, are not currently taking an antidepressant and are not breastfeeding, you may be eligible to participate in this research study evaluating how an FDA-approved antidepressant helps treat depression after childbirth. Women who participate will receive study medication and evaluations of their mood at no cost and will be compensated up to $150 over the course of the 8-week study. For information call 617-724-6989 or email kdonovan8@partners.org.

Postpartum Progress: MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Seeking Study Participants

MedlinePlus: FDA Panel Snubs Seroquel as 1st Choice Depression Treatment

2009-04-09T17:46:00.000-04:00

Safety concerns mean the drug should only be used when other medications don't work, advisers say

HealthDay
Thursday, April 9, 2009

WEDNESDAY, April 8 (HealthDay News) -- In a unanimous vote, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel determined Wednesday that AstraZeneca's antipsychotic drug Seroquel has too many safety concerns to make it a first-line treatment against depression or anxiety disorders.

However, in a separate 6-to-3 vote, the panelists recommended that the medication could be used as supplemental treatment for patients with depression who do not get symptom relief from other drugs, the Associated Press reported. The expert panel did not hold a similar vote for anxiety disorders.

Overall, "I saw no clear advantage demonstrated in efficacy," said Dr. Wayne Goodman, the panel's chairman and a psychiatric researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. "There were side effects, and I would expect unintended consequences associated with wide-scale use of the drug."

The FDA is not mandated to follow its advisory panels' advice, although it usually does. Federal health officials have already approved the use of Seroquel (quetiapine) and drugs like it to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.....

MedlinePlus: FDA Panel Snubs Seroquel as 1st Choice Depression Treatment

Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy: Unique contribution to children’s depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence?

2009-04-09T17:44:00.000-04:00

Jean-François Bureau, M. Ann Easterbrooks, and Karlen Lyons-Ruth

Abstract

This prospective 20-year study assessed associations between maternal depressive symptoms in infancy, childhood, and adolescence and child and adolescent depressive symptoms in a sample of families at high psychosocial risk. Maternal symptomatology was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) when children were infants (12 months), school-aged (age 8), and adolescents (age 19). Children’s depressive symptoms were measured at age 8 (Dimensions of Depression Profile for Children and Adolescents, Hatter & Nowakowski, 1987) and age 19 (CES-D). Maternal depressive symptoms during infancy contributed to the prediction of child depressive symptoms at age 8, after controlling for concurrent maternal depressive symptoms, clinical family risk in infancy, and gender. Clinical family risk in infancy marginally contributed to the prediction model. Disorganization of attachment in infancy and maternal hostility were independent predictors of depressive symptoms at age 8 and did not mediate the relation between maternal and child depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms in adolescence were predicted by gender, children’s depressive symptoms at age 8, maternal depressive symptoms in adolescence, and maternal depressive symptoms in infancy. There was no moderating effect of gender. Adding to previous evidence on the importance of early maternal depression, maternal depressive symptoms during infancy were strongly related to the development of depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence.

Keywords: maternal depressive symptoms, child depressive symptoms, attachment, maternal sensitivity

Maternal depressive symptoms in infancy: Unique contribution to children’s depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence?

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Becomes Shaky Platform for Frustrated Anti-Pharma Faction | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

2009-04-07T17:50:00.000-04:00

Written by Susan Dowd Stone on April 7, 2009 - 10:06am

Her Writer

Susan Dowd Stone

In this time of focus on healthcare reform, there are many reasons to educate yourself about legislation presented to Congress – especially when it comes to healthcare for new mothers and infants – our nation’s most critical social dyad.

This is especially true when arguments against lifesaving legislation – the initiatives of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act - are not grounded in fact and desperate scare tactics are being used to frighten the very population the bill is designed to help –mothers suffering from postpartum mood disorders. Such misrepresentations have the potential to derail the long awaited deliverance of help which could reverse and end such suffering….which affects over 800,000 women a year.....

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Becomes Shaky Platform for Frustrated Anti-Pharma Faction | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis — www.greenwood.com

2009-04-05T14:32:00.001-04:00

A Temporary Madness

Teresa M. Twomey

With Shoshana Bennett
Foreword by Katherine Wisner, MD, MS

Book Code: C35346

ISBN: 0-313-35346-8

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-35346-8

DOI: 10.1336/0313353468

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 3/30/2009

List Price: $39.95 (UK Sterling Price: £22.95)

Availability:

Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Description: Offering an understanding of postpartum psychosis, this riveting book explains what happens and why during this temporary and dangerous mental illness that develops for some women rapidly after childbirth. Most of us are familiar with the "baby blues," a passing sadness that strikes 50 to 75 percent of new mothers after delivery. And most of us understand postpartum depression, a sadness post-delivery that lingers for weeks or months in an estimated one in every 10 new mothers. But a more serious form of disorder that strikes up to one in every 500 new mothers is postpartum psychosis - which can trigger severe agitation, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, delusions, mania, and possible thoughts of suicide or murder. Every year, women in the United States and around the world kill their babies, children, or themselves as a result of this mental illness. Here, author Twomey, an official with Postpartum Support International, gives us deep insight into the psychological, personal, medical, legal, and historical perspectives on this little-understood mental illness, which is both preventable and treatable. While most women who suffer postpartum psychosis eventually recover without harming anyone, they most often do so in silence. "Paranoia is a common symptom," explains Twomey, and that moves women to hide their symptoms from everyone around them. The woman can hence appear normal, but be putting both herself and her baby at risk. "We can prevent and treat this, but we need to recognize it by better screening of women postpartum," says Twomey.

Table of Contents:

Dedication
Acknowledgments
List of Abbreviations
Foreword
Introduction
Part I: Overview
Ch. 1: More than Depression
Ch. 2: Psychological Views
Ch. 3: Postpartum Psychosis Across History and in the Media Today
Ch. 4: Legal Views
Part II: Stories of Recovery
Ch. 5: Women Like Me, and You: Teresas Story
Ch. 6: After the Manic Super Mom Period: Lauras Story
Ch. 7: Two Episodes of PPP: A Story of Recovery in Five Parts, Evas Story
Ch. 8: Obsessions and Delusions: Wandas Story
Ch. 9: Suicidal Thoughts, an Evil Dog, and a Call to Police: Nicoles Story
Ch. 10: Visions of Mother and Child Cut Up: Lisas Story
Ch. 11: The Maze of Medication and Recovery: Martis Story
Ch. 12: Acting Well but Wanting to Die: Sarahs Story
Ch. 13: Seeing a Dagger, Hearing Voices: Taras Story
Part III: Tragic Conclusions
Ch. 14: Suicide: A Murderous Illness, Melanies Story
Ch. 15: 90 Miles With a Dead Baby: Katherines Story
Conclusion: What We Know, Dont Know, and Need to Do to Prevent Tragedy
Notes
Bibliography
Appendix A: Resources (for further reading)
Appendix B: Where to Find Help

Understanding Postpartum Psychosis — www.greenwood.com

Medical News: Multiple Babies Mean Higher Risk of Postpartum Depression for Mom

2009-04-05T14:25:00.001-04:00

By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
Published: March 30, 2009
Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Earn CME/CE credit
for reading medical news

BALTIMORE, March 30 -- Mothers who give birth to twins, triplets, or other multiples are at increased risk of postpartum depression, researchers here said.
In a prospective study, these women had a 43% increased risk of depressive symptoms at nine months after delivery compared with mothers of singletons, Yoonjoung Choi, Dr.P.H., of Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues reported in the April issue of Pediatrics.

Only about a quarter of these women, however, reported talking to a mental health professional about their depressive symptoms.

"Greater attention is needed in pediatric settings to address maternal depression in families with multiple births," the researchers said.....

Medical News: Multiple Babies Mean Higher Risk of Postpartum Depression for Mom - in Psychiatry, Depression from MedPage Today

Date Change for Perinatal Loss Workshop in Centerville, OH

2009-04-04T18:06:00.001-04:00

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
with Miriam Maslin
Sponsored by
Dayton Area Labor Support and Perinatal Education Associates
"I attended an enlightening and empowering workshop entitled, "Supporting
Women through Perinatal Loss" guided by Miriam Maslin, an amazing doula and
polarity therapist from Jerusalem. She didn't teach the session but guided
us to the awareness and answers that were within by encouraging us to learn
from each other and to trust in ourselves." ~ "The Neutral Fulcrum" by
MaryBeth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), International Doula, Volume 16, Issue
2, Page 9
The entire birthing process can be seen as a paradigm. Painful contractions
represent the challenges in our lives; and each challenge presents an
opportunity for growth and healing. The greater the challenge - the greater
the potential for transformation. Only from the deepest, darkest places can
we reach the loftiest heights.
Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are "contractions" that no one ever wishes
to encounter. Yet, working in this field, each of us will ultimately be
called upon to support through such an experience.
How can we, as childbirth professionals, learn to be truly present with
our clients?
Do we know that while pain and loss are inevitable, trauma is not?
What can we do to support in a way that will promote healing and
growth?
And finally, how can we nurture and elevate ourselves throughout this
difficult process?
We will explore this challenge through stories, meditations, writing,
counseling exercises, sharing, and teachings.
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: 98 E Franklin Street Suite B, Centerville, OH
Fee: $130 (Due to the current financial climate, discounts are
available. Please
             contact Miriam for details)
Workshop participation is limited to 15
DONA CEU's: 5
MEAC CEU's: .5 (5 Credit Hours)
           Additional $10 for MEAC CEU certification
For information and registration:
Miriam Maslin
E-Mail: miriam@miriammaslin.com
Tel: 516-478-9657
For directions:
Denise Easthon
E-Mail: heart2heartbirthmatters@yahoo.com
Tel: 937- 269-1312
Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as
both hospice volunteer and member of the Jewish Burial Society. She
incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of energy/holistic healing) and
spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam has lead workshops for women's
groups and childbirth professionals in over twenty-one U.S. states; in
Canada and Israel. She will be presenting a workshop this summer at the DONA
International Conference in Atlanta. You can read more about her work at
www.miriammaslin.com

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves to Senate H.E.L.P. Committee

2009-04-04T17:03:00.003-04:00

After passing by an enormous bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives on Monday, March 30th, The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has moved to the powerful U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee where it will be “marked up” in the near future.

In addition to adding your name to the state by state listing of national supporters on PerinatalPro, you can email members of the Senate HELP committee at

help_comments@help.senate.gov

Below are the members of the H.E.L.P. committee, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy chairs this committee and is an ardent supporter of this legislation.

Lisa Murkowski, AK (R) 202-224-6665
John McCain, (AZ) (R) 202-224-2235
Christopher Dodd (CT) (D) 202-224-2823
Johnny Isakson (GA) (R) 202-224-3643
Tom Harkin (IA) (D) 202-224-3254
Pat Roberts (KS) (R) 202-224-4774
Edward Kennedy (MA) (D) 202-224-4543
Barbara Mikulski (MD) (D) 202-224-4654
Richard Burr (NC) (R) 202-224-3154
Kay Hagan (NC) (D) 202-224-6342
Gregg Judd (NH) (R) 202-224-3324
Jeff Bingaman (NM) (D) 202-224-5521
Sherrod Brown (OH) (D) 202-224-2315
Tom Coburn (OK) (R) 202-224-5754
Jeff Merkley (OR) (D) 202-224-3753
Bob Casey (PA) (D) 202-224 6324
Jack Reed (RI) (D) 202-224-4642
Alexander Lamar (TN) (R) 202-224-4944
Orrin Hatch (UT) (R) 202-224-5251
Bernard Sanders (VT) (I) 202-224-5141
Patty Murray (WA) (D) 202-224-2621
Michael Enzi (WY) (R) 202-224-3424

You may call their offices directly to proclaim your support (and you don’t have to be from their state!).....

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves to Senate H.E.L.P. Committee « Perinatal Pro Weekly Blog

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act passes in the U.S. House of Representatives

2009-04-04T17:03:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, March 30th, 2009 in the early evening hours, Congressman Bobby Rush succeeded in gaining nearly unanimous consensus among our Congressional leaders to pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. In a vote of 391 – 8, your representatives overwhelming cast their votes in favor of America’s mothers and moved the bill closer to reality.

Please join me in congratulating Congressman Bobby L. Rush for this historic achievement for America’s mothers and Melanie Blocker Stokes.

Here is the statement read by Congressman Rush on the House floor, yesterday evening which resulted in the passage of this legislation:

Floor Statement
Congressman Bobby L. Rush
H. R. 20 the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009
Monday March 30, 2009

Madame Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act of 2009.

I would like to thank Chairman Waxman, Ranking Member Barton, my colleague Congressman Frank Pallone, and the Members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who unanimously supported this legislation’s passage out of the committee.....

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act passes in the U.S. House of Representatives « Perinatal Pro Weekly Blog

Postnatal Disorders: Is New Motherhood Driving You Crazy?

2009-03-30T00:07:00.001-04:00

Monday, March 23rd, 2009 | Mental Health

by Christy Cuellar-Wentz

Life changes dramatically with the advent of a new child. While it is understandable that stress levels may be high and negative emotions common during the adjustment to being on call 24 hours a day, new mothers typically hide these feelings from friends and family members. They mistakenly believe that grateful, loving thoughts and emotions are the only appropriate ones to admit to when dealing with the challenges of new motherhood.

Many women are scared to be seen as a “bad” or “crazy” mom. Without a guideline to tell what’s normal and what’s not, they fear their babies will be taken away and never ask for the help they need.

To help set the record straight, let’s take a look at some symptoms common in new mothers. Fatigue, mood swings, persistent tearfulness, irritability, forgetfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating are all perfectly normal within 48 hours after delivering a baby. People typically refer to this experience as the “baby blues.” Although the majority of women have to cope with baby blues, the symptoms tend to resolve on their own within two weeks. This is the time it typically takes for a new mother’s body to adjust to the stress of delivery and stabilize the massive fluctuations in hormone levels following the birth of a child.....

Postnatal Disorders: Is New Motherhood Driving You Crazy?

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders — Center for Women's Mood Disorders - UNC School of Medicine

2009-03-29T22:52:00.001-04:00

Perinatal Mood Disorders are related to mood and anxiety symptoms that occur during pregnancy or up to one year postpartum

Disorders Related to Pregnancy

Disorders Related to Postpartum

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders — Center for Women's Mood Disorders - UNC School of Medicine

OFSB Southeast Ohio Community Meeting

2009-03-21T20:20:00.001-04:00

Those of you in the Southeast Ohio area, we will be holding a community meeting to discuss both the legislative efforts and plans for the upcoming International Midwives Day Celebration.
The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 2 pm at the Athens Public Library, 30 Home Street. Refreshments will be served.
This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about our efforts to pass CPM licensure legislation in Ohio. We will let you know what you can do to help.
Please mark your calendars and let others know--please forward to your other networks and e-mail lists!

The MOTHER'S Act Petition Signing Party

2009-03-20T08:40:00.001-04:00

Lauren Hale sent a message to the members of MOTHER'S Act Petition Signing Party.
--------------------
Subject: Status Update Suggestion for Today's Event
Welcome to the MOTHER'S Act Petition Signing Party!
On behalf of Postpartum Support International, we thank you for attending and for supporting the Melanie Blocker-Stokes MOTHER'S Act, important legislation which will help so many families who struggle with a Postpartum Mood Disorder.
To participate in today's Signing party, we as you not only sign the petition but at some point today, we request that you change your status to the following:
One in Eight new Mothers will experience a Mood Disorder. Help them get the support they deserve by signing here: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://tinyurl.com%2Fmothersactpetition
We also ask that you share the event on your profile as well as the link for the Group Postpartum Support International.
Feel free to post your stories or reasons for participating on the wall as well!
Thank you again for participating and for all you do!
Warmest,
Lauren Hale
Postpartum Support International Georgia Co-Coordinator
--------------------

Alternative Treatments for Postpartum Depression: Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology | Baby Chat

2009-03-15T23:20:00.001-04:00

Many experts advocate for drug-free alternatives to treating postpartum depression, as drugs can have negative side-effects and do not treat the cause of the problem, just the symptoms. Dr. Tyran Mincey, a Doctor of Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiologist, of the New York City/New Jersey area, explains why Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology can help a woman suffering from PPD.....

Alternative Treatments for Postpartum Depression: Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology | Baby Chat

Natural Remedies for Postpartum Depression

2009-03-15T23:18:00.001-04:00

Tess Thompson

A woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Hormonal changes, the physical stress of birth and lack of sleep coupled with the added responsibility of parenting predispose the new mother to mental disorders like depression. Extreme cases of postpartum depression may cause unpleasant emotional turbulence, hallucinations and even thoughts of suicide.

Women who are more inclined to suffer from postpartum depression include…

Women with a history of depression or family history of depression.
Women with relationship troubles or other stressors.
Women with an insufficient family/social support system.

Postpartum depression is a common occurrence but rarely manifests in its full severity. The treatment involves the same steps as those involved in treating depression , and in most cases antidepressants are administered. The safety of using these drugs during breastfeeding is open to doubt.

Treating depression naturally involves consultations with an expert psychologist or a psychiatrist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps in casting away negative thoughts and behaviors. Interpersonal Therapy is very effective and helps in getting over the problems that are faced by women. It also helps in handling the transition of roles in a better manner......

Natural Remedies for Postpartum Depression

Central Ohio Community Meeting

2009-03-14T00:42:00.001-04:00

Kathleen invited you to "Central Ohio Community Meeting" on Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm.
Event: Central Ohio Community Meeting
"Help support midwifery legislation in Ohio!"
What: Informational Meeting
Host: Ohio Families for Safe Birth
Start Time: Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm
End Time: Sunday, March 22 at 4:00pm
Where: CHOICE office
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=138530025426&mid=24f572G5711b35bG3c1926G7

OFSB Central Ohio Meeting March 22

2009-03-14T00:33:00.001-04:00

Posted by: "kathyskes" kathleen@skestos.com kathyskes

Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:07 pm (PDT)

Hi everyone!
Those of you in the Central Ohio area, we will be holding a community
meeting to discuss both the legislative efforts and plans for the
upcoming International Midwives Day Celebration.
The meeting will be held on Sunday, March 22 at 2 pm at the CHOICE
office, 3474 North High Street (map
<http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Columbus&state=OH&address=3474+North+\
High+Street&zipcode=43214> ). Refreshments will be served.
This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about our
efforts to pass CPM licensure legislation in Ohio. We will let you know
what you can do to help.
Please mark your calendars and let others know--please forward to your
other networks and e-mail lists!
Sincerely,
Kathy Skestos
Vice Chair, OFSB

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss

2009-03-14T00:30:00.001-04:00

A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals with Miriam Maslin
Sponsored by Dayton Area Labor Support and Perinatal Education Associates

"I attended an enlightening and empowering workshop entitled, "Supporting
Women through Perinatal Loss" guided by Miriam Maslin, an amazing doula and
polarity therapist from Jerusalem. She didn't teach the session but guided
us to the awareness and answers that were within by encouraging us to learn
from each other and to trust in ourselves." ~ "The Neutral Fulcrum" by
MaryBeth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), International Doula, Volume 16, Issue
2, Page 9
The entire birthing process can be seen as a paradigm. Painful contractions
represent the challenges in our lives; and each challenge presents an
opportunity for growth and healing. The greater the challenge - the greater
the potential for transformation. Only from the deepest, darkest places can
we reach the loftiest heights.
Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are "contractions" that no one ever wishes
to encounter. Yet, working in this field, each of us will ultimately be
called upon to support through such an experience.
How can we, as childbirth professionals, learn to be truly present with
our clients?
Do we know that while pain and loss are inevitable, trauma is not?
What can we do to support in a way that will promote healing and
growth?
And finally, how can we nurture and elevate ourselves throughout this
difficult process?
We will explore this challenge through stories, meditations, writing,
counseling exercises, sharing, and teachings.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: 98 E Franklin Street Suite B, Centerville, OH
Fee: $130 (Due to the current financial climate, discounts are
available. Please contact Miriam for details)
Registration Deadline: March 22, 2009
Workshop participation is limited to 15
DONA CEU's: 5
MEAC CEU's: .5 (5 Credit Hours)
Additional $10 for MEAC CEU certification
For information and registration:
Miriam Maslin
E-Mail: miriam@miriammaslin.com
Tel: 516-478-9657
For directions:
Denise Easthon
E-Mail: heart2heartbirthmatters@yahoo.com
Tel: 937- 269-1312
Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as
both hospice volunteer and member of the Jewish Burial Society. She
incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of energy/holistic healing) and
spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam has lead workshops for women's
groups and childbirth professionals in over twenty-one U.S. states; in
Canada and Israel. She will be presenting a workshop this summer at the DONA
International Conference in Atlanta. You can read more about her work at
www.miriammaslin.com

Facebook | MOTHER'S Act Petition Signing Party

2009-03-13T23:46:00.001-04:00

Host: Postpartum Support International

Type: Causes - Rally

Network: Global

Date: Friday, March 20, 2009

Time: 12:00am - 11:00pm

Location: http://capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=12832296

Description

The MOTHER'S Act has been through mark-up and will go to vote this month in the US House. Won't you sign the petition in support of this valuable legislation?
On Friday, March 20th, we're asking you to sign the petition as well as share this event on your profile, encouraging those you know to sign the petition!
***Note*** Even if you've already signed the petition, we encourage you to sign up to attend and ask that you share the event on your profile to encourage others to sign the petition as well! And we thank you for already signing! *****
If you're curious about the full text of the legislation, it can be found here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h20/text
To read immediate Past President of PSI, Susan Dowd-Stone's statement about this advocacy effort, click here: http://unexpectedblessing.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/sign-the-petition-in-support-of-the-melanie-blocker-stokes-mothers-act/
Thank you for your support and compassion for those who struggle daily with a Postpartum Mood Disorder!

Facebook | MOTHER'S Act Petition Signing Party

NOW is the Time to Pass Postpartum Depression Legislation!

2009-03-13T23:28:00.001-04:00

NOW is the Time to Pass Postpartum Depression Legislation!
It's About Time to Stop New Mothers from Taking Their Own Lives!

Postpartum Depression

It Could Be You, A Friend or a Loved One.

Who is Melanie Blocker Stokes? A talented, successful businesswoman and new mother who, eight years ago, took her own life. Everyone thought she had it all-brains, beauty, and success.

What they didn't know was that she also had postpartum depression or PPD.

A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 20), the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Research and Care Act, is designed to make awareness of the illness -- a national priority.

The legislation would mandate research on the benefits of screening for PPD. And, it would also create programs to deliver outpatient, inpatient, and home-based health and support services, including services that would promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.

That was eight years ago....And we cannot go another year without passing this critical legislation!

For this new 2009 Congressional session, the bill has been reintroduced in both the House (H.R. 20) and the Senate (S. 324).

This campaign is in collaboration with our partner, Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Read about this bill

Please send a letter NOW asking your legislators to pass this

critical legislation.

Although we are all focused on the economy, we cannot let important mental health legislation fall through the cracks.

Take the Time NOW to Connect and Be Counted.

One Person Can Make a Difference:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Advocacy in Action

Motherhood and Activism

2009-03-10T23:13:00.001-04:00

Posted by: "Martha Nieset"

Sun Mar 8, 2009 4:03 pm (PDT)

I received this from someone at Ohio State and thought some of you on this
list might find it very relevant to what we are doing with Ohio Families for
Safe Birth and attempting to get licensure for midwives in Ohio. Is there
anyone who thinks they could attend, possibly share a little bit about
OFSB's mission and bring back to others on the list any useful or
informative info? This sounds like a fun and interesting event and they
offer childcare.
Martha Nieset

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus http://www.firstuucolumbus.org
in partnership with Mothers Acting Up http://www.mothersactingup.org Philanthropiece http://www.philanthropiece.org hosts the (*M)other Tour*, a joint program to create a global community of mothers moving from concern to action on behalf of the world’s children. The centerpiece of the (*M)other Tour* is a one-woman show accompanied by a workshop that uses theatre to empower mother voices to effectively advocate for issues impacting children, women and communities. *(M)other* will be performed on* **Friday, March 20* at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus at* **7pm*. The Church is located at 93 W Weisheimer Rd. Please visit http://www.firstuucolumbus.org call 614.267.4946 for more information.

*The performance* explores what it might take for the mothers of one country
to authentically care about the mothers and children of another country. The
show’s opening describes a fictional program, called “Baby Swapping,”
created by the United Nations to generate concern for the world’s children.
In this small, limited pilot program, seven mothers from seven nations from
around the world are required by their governments to swap their
six-month-old babies with another mother from another nation for one month.
What follows is an intimate look at one of these mother’s experiences and
her eventual realization of her interconnectedness with these other mothers,
their children, and their nations. The last line of the show states*, “I
think the hardest part about going back to my old life will be facing the
part of me that believed you were ‘other.’ Everything has changed. Before I
had asked, Why me? Why now? Now I ask, if not me, who? If not now, when?”*
*The workshop*, often referred to as a* **rehearsal for activism*, asks
mothers to identify their most passionate concern for children and helps
them gain skills, confidence and practice declaring this concern. The
workshop leads each mother to her own brand of leadership in creating a
world in which children’s needs are prioritized and their rights protected.
*The workshop* will be hosted on* **Saturday, March 21* at the church at* **
9am*. Childcare is available for both the performance and workshop. Please
call (614.267.4946) by March 16 to reserve space.

The* (M)other Tour* will travel to each congressional district in Colorado,
cities across North America and parts of Asia and Latin America from May
2008-2010. Footage will be gathered at every location to create a
documentary that explores the diversity and variety of voices, actions, and
solutions of this global community of mothers acting up on behalf of the
world’s children.

Beth Osnes, MAU Co-founder and writer/performer of (M)other states, “This
show is the best way I could think to condense this last five years with
Mothers Acting Up into a good night out. It maps out one path towards
personal transformation from concern to action on behalf of the world’s
children. It holds within it the wild hope that others, upon recognizing
themselves along this journey, will feel inspired and fortified from this
offering to chart their own audacious path towards a better future for all
children.”

*“Rich, clever and empowering.” Daily Camera*
*“An intimate look at the maternal experience across international
boundaries.” Nashville Scene
“The terrain of this drama is rich with intrigue, realizations and abundant
hope.” Women’s Magazine*
*“(M)other explores parenthood as a global concern.” The Tennessean*
*
*
--
Martha Nieset
Columbus, OH
614-309-5309
Midwives: Professionals Not Criminals | http://www.safebirthohio.org
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/medical-conditions-treatments/pregnancy-childbirth/maternity-care/overview/maternity-care.htm

Discounts Available for Perinatal Loss Workshop in Centerville,OH with Miriam Maslin

2009-03-07T23:41:00.001-05:00

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
with Miriam Maslin
Sponsored by
Dayton Area Labor Support and Perinatal Education Associates

The entire birthing process can be seen as a paradigm. Painful contractions
represent the challenges in our lives; and each challenge presents an
opportunity for growth and healing. The greater the challenge - the greater
the potential for transformation. Only from the deepest, darkest places can
we reach the loftiest heights.

Stillbirths and neonatal deaths are "contractions" that no one ever wishes
to encounter. Yet, working in this field, each of us will ultimately be
called upon to support through such an experience.

How can we, as childbirth professionals, learn to be truly present with our clients?
Do we know that while pain and loss are inevitable, trauma is not?
What can we do to support in a way that will promote healing and growth?
And finally, how can we nurture and elevate ourselves throughout this difficult process?

We will explore this challenge through stories, meditations, writing, counseling exercises, sharing, and teachings.

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Place: 98 E Franklin Street Suite B, Centerville, OH
Fee: $130 (Due to the current financial climate, discounts are
available. Please
             contact Miriam for details)
Workshop participation is limited to 15
DONA CEU's: 5
MEAC CEU's: .5 (5 Credit Hours)
           Additional $10 for MEAC CEU certification
For information and registration:
Miriam Maslin
E-Mail: miriam@miriammaslin.com
Tel: 516-478-9657
For directions:
Denise Easthon
E-Mail: heart2heartbirthmatters@yahoo.com
Tel: 937- 269-1312

Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own "Interior
Design". Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle -- she is a doula and has served as
both hospice volunteer and member of the Jewish Burial Society. She
incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of energy/holistic healing) and
spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam has lead workshops for women's
groups and childbirth professionals in over twenty-one U.S. states; in
Canada and Israel. She will be presenting a workshop this summer at the DONA
International Conference in Atlanta. You can read more about her work at
www.miriammaslin.com

Event: Preconception Class "Want to be pregnant? Here's the scoop!"

2009-03-07T23:19:00.001-05:00

Rachel invited you to "Preconception Class" on Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm.
Rachel says, "Tell your friends! This is a free program, light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit my website at www.YoungstownMidwife.com".
Event: Preconception Class
"Want to be pregnant? Here's the scoop!"
What: Class
Host: Rachel Sieman, Certified Nurse-Midwife
Start Time: Monday, March 23 at 6:30pm
End Time: Monday, March 23 at 8:00pm
Where: Boardman Park: Georgianna Parker Activity Center
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=133563695555&aref=3700237

OFSB Birth Quilt

2009-03-04T18:26:00.001-05:00

Posted by: "Rachel DesRochers" rachel.desrochers@gmail.com rldesrochers

Tue Mar 3, 2009 4:29 pm (PST)

Hi All-
I am helping OFSB with a Cincinnati area fundraiser. With part of this
fundraiser to support the efforts of OFSB we are creating a Birth Quilt as a
raffle item. We will sell tickets for this- so the more you buy the better
chance you have to win! We are looking at hosting this fundraiser in early
June.
I am coming to you to ask you to take part in this amazing quilt.
For you to be part of the quilt we need:
7 x 7 (in) piece of cloth
100% cotton
no embellishments at this time
I ask you when choosing your square - choose something that means something
to you and one of your births. This will be so full of memories of a
community of strong women who have given birth, who are mothers, who are
memory makers. Also - as a community we must reach out to our neighbors -
reach out in a way of change. Ask your neighbor also for this piece of
cloth, simply by making them part of it they too are celebrating and
supporting the works and efforts of OFSB.
I need these fabric pieces by April 1st. I am around town a lot but please
feel free to stick them in the mail. I also attend the monthly Homebirth
Circle and am at the local monthly doula event.
If you would like to mail it out please let me know and I will send you my
address.
thank you in advance for your support for this amazing cause! I am proud to
say I am part of such an amazing movement, a time of change, and all of you
amazing mamas!
Thanks!
Rachel
513.227.6537
www.safebirthohio.org

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves forward!

2009-03-04T17:53:00.001-05:00

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act moves forward!

March 2, 2009

We are getting closer! The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, H.R. 20 is scheduled for markup this Wednesday, March 4^th, in the Energy & Commerce Committee. This version of the original bill (passed by nearly unanimous bipartisan support in October of 2007,) includes enhancements from U.S. Senator Robert Menendez’s MOTHERS Act with regard to screening, and Congressman Rush’s call for increased funding for etiological research.

Additionally, the bill maintains Congressman Pitt’s compromise language regarding a longitudinal study on depression as a result of voluntary or involuntary termination of a pregnancy. This is important because women whose babies are stillborn, who miscarry, or elect termination are also subjected to these devastating disorders and have not been represented in previously reported statistics or research.

The next step after successful markup would be a full House vote, followed by similar action in the U.S. Senate.

Thank you to Congressman Bobby L. Rush, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Senator Richard Durbin for your unceasing efforts on behalf of America’s mothers!

Below is a list of Congressman who have been selected to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 111^th Congress. We encourage you to contact them to encourage support and passage of this legislation!

Henry A. Waxman, CA, Chair

Joe Barton, TX, Ranking Member

John Dingell, MI, Chair Emeritus

Ralph Hall, TX

Edward Markey, MA

Fred Upton, MI

Rick Boucher, VA

Cliff Stearns, FL

Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ

Nathan Deal, GA

Bart Gordon, TN

Ed Whitfield, KY

Bobby Rush, IL

John Shimkus, IL

Anna Eshoo, CA

John Shadegg, AZ

Bart Stupak, MI

Roy Blunt, MO

Eliot Engel, NY

Steve Buyer, IN

Gene Green, TX

George Radanovich, CA

Diana DeGette, CO

Joseph Pitts, PA

Lois Capps, CA

Mary Bono Mack, CA

Michael Doyle, PA

Greg Walden, OR

Jane Harman, CA

Lee Terry, NE

Janice Schakowsky, IL

Mike Rogers, MI

Charles Gonzalez, TX

Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC

Jay Inslee, WA

John Sullivan, OK

Tammy Baldwin, WI

Tim Murphy, PA

Mike Ross, AR

Michael Burgess, TX

Anthony Weiner, NY

Marsha Blackburn, TN

Jim Matheson, UT

Phil Gingrey, GA

G.K. Butterfield, NC

Steve Scalise, LA

Charlie Melancon, LA

John Barrow, GA

Baron Hill, IN

Doris Matsui, CA

Donna Christensen, VI

Kathy Castor, FL

John Sarbanes, MD

Christopher Murphy, CT

Zachary Space, OH

Jerry McNerney, CA

Betty Sutton, OH

Bruce Braley, IA

Peter Welch, VT

Summary of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act (S. 324/H.R.20)

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, sponsored by Senators Menendez and Representative Rush, will help provide support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis and will also help educate mothers and their families about these conditions. In addition, it will support research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression and psychosis.

“Melanie Blocker Stokes Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act” or the “Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act”

TITLE I- Research

· Encourages Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions. Also, encourages a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.

· Includes a Sense of Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health may conduct a nationally representative longitudinal study of the relative mental health consequences for women of resolving a pregnancy (intended or unintended) in various ways, including carrying the pregnancy to term and parenting the child, carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the child for adoption, miscarriage, and having an abortion. This study may assess the incidence, timing, magnitude, and duration of the immediate and long-term mental health consequences (positive and negative) of these pregnancy outcomes.

TITLE II- Delivery of Services

· Encourages HHS to make grants available for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression.

o (Entities): Makes grants available to public or nonprofit private entity, which may include a State or local government, a public-private partnership, a recipient of a grant under the Healthy Start program, a public or nonprofit private hospital, community-based organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community health center, migrant health center, public housing primary care center, or homeless health center, or any other appropriate public or nonprofit private entity.

o (Activities): Eligible activities include delivering or enhancing outpatient, inpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions. Activities may also include providing education about postpartum conditions to new mothers and their families, including symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources, in order to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.

TITLE III- General Provisions

· (Funding): Authorizes $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

· (HHS Report): Requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

· (Limitation): The Secretary may not utilize amounts made available under this Act to carry out activities or programs that are duplicative of activities or programs that are currently being carried out through the Dept of HHS.

###

Supporters

American College of Nurse Midwives

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American Psychological Association

American Psychiatric Association

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

Children’s Defense Fund

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Family Mental Health Foundation

Guttmacher

Kristin Brooks Hope Center

March of Dimes

Melanie Blocker Stokes Foundation

Mental Health America

NARAL, Pro-Choice America

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

National Partnership for Women & Families

National Women’s Law Center

OWL- The Voice of Midlife and Older Women

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Postpartum Support International

Suicide Prevention Action Network USA

Tags: Congressman Bobby L. Rush, postartum depression legislation, The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, women's health conditions

Volunteers Needed: International Midwives Day Celebration!

2009-03-03T08:40:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone!
We are starting to plan our statewide International Midwives Day
Celebration in Columbus and we need volunteers to help with the planning
and logistics of what will be a large event--as Stephanie described in a
recent e-mail, the "mother of all rallies." This year's celebration
will be held on Tuesday, May 5.
Just like last year, we will be holding a Lobby Day in conjunction with
IMD, but this year we are expanding our presence at the Statehouse to
include a family-friendly celebration on the South lawn of the
Statehouse that will include activities for kids, inspiration, and the
experience of shared community with other homebirth families and
supporters for moms and dads and everyone else who supports our cause in
Ohio!
We will need lots of folks in Columbus and the Central Ohio area to help
with this, of course, but we also need the ideas and creative energies
of folks from around the state, too.
If you have ideas about what you think would make a fun and meaningful
day at Ohio's state Capitol for families and others who support
midwifery care, and/or if you want to help with an exciting event that
will further the cause of midwifery legislation in Ohio,
please e-mail me at kathleen@skestos.com . I look forward to
hearing from you!
Kathy Skestos
Vice Chair, Ohio Families for Safe Birth

2009-02-24T21:55:00.002-05:00

While Group meetings are cancelled for the time being in the Youngstown area, support is still available. Please email Tonya@poemonline.org anytime or call the Columbus area Support Line, 614.315.8989

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

Support Group Meetings Cancelled

2009-02-22T00:56:00.001-05:00

POEM Youngstown's Postpartum support group meetings will be cancelled until further notice.

Thank you,
Jodi Kluchar

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

Women Entrepreneurs: Increase Your Possibilities in Today’s World

2009-02-17T20:47:00.002-05:00

Reminder… Register for the Women Entrepreneurs event on 2.24.09!

A friendly reminder that tomorrow is the last day to register for the “Women Entrepreneurs: Increase your Possibilities in Today’s World” dinner, panel discussion and networking event.

Event: Women Entrepreneurs: Increase your Possibilities in Today’s World
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2009Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: DeBartolo Stadium Club - Stambaugh Stadium
Please see http://www.wcba.ysu.edu/wcba_register.html for registration information. Please register by Tuesday, February 18, 2009.

We hope that you join us. Please feel free to bring colleagues, students, business partners and friends.

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

www.poemonline.org

POEM - Youngstown

Codey, Miller, Collins receive awards from Caldwell College

Rosemount woman will compete for state crown

Screening for depression before, during and after pregnancy can help: Physicians believe this can make a difference to the mother and child [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

timestranscript.com - Take a mind-body approach to treating depression, anxiety | Dr. Martin Gleixner - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

Depression and anxiety are common mood disorders affecting many Canadians.

MedEdPPD.org March 2010 Newsletter

Health Choices Network: Support your community!

Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

New urban low-income moms risk depression - UPI.com

PSI Perinatal Mood Disorders Trainings

Support Group Meeting 2/17/10

Support Group Meeting Tomorrow

Fearful mothers finding help | The Columbus Dispatch

“Moving Beyond Prenatal and Postpartum Depression” with Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Wherever you are in the world…join us for this Live Interactive Virtual Video Broadcast for Practitioners Physicians and Parents

“Moving Beyond Prenatal and Postpartum Depression”

with Shoshana Bennett, PhD

EMERGING TRENDS AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN MIDWIFERY

All Ohio Midwifery Forward 2010

February 5-7, 2010

Cherry Valley Lodge

Newark, OH

This is an excellent conference!

Just getting the word out for those who may be interested!

With Joy, Caroline

Call for Abstracts - Marce Society and PSI annual conference in October

Biology at the root of debilitating perinatal and postpartum depressions | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com

Susan Kushner Resnick lobbies for bill requiring screening for postpartum depression - The Boston Globe

Postpartum Support International Free Phone Chats - DADS call too!

Posted by: "Wendy Davis" wdavis@postpartum.net

Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:32 pm (PST)

Postpartum Support Group

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals

Jenny's Light Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 1 - iContact Community

Mother Reach offers support for postpartum depression - Woodstock Sentinel Review - Ontario, CA

The Progress News: Foundation seeks to educate about postpartum depression

Stress, Anxiety Can Up Risk of Depression in Pregnancy | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

An Emerging Best Practice Model for Perinatal Depression Care

Ohio questions high rates of C-sections | The Columbus Dispatch

Decline in U.S. birth weights in recent years stirs concerns over longterm impacts | Health and Fitness - cleveland.com

Kim West: Sleep, Motherhood And Postpartum Depression

Carole Sheehan's Profile | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

My Updates

video: What Should A Woman Do If She Thinks She Has PPD? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

video: What Is Postpartum Depression? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

video: What Motives You To Advocate For Women With PPD? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

herstoryvideo: Carole Shares What Triggered Her PPD Symptoms (VIDEO)

video: How Common Is Postpartum Depression? - Nurse Sheehan (VIDEO)

Treating depression by stimulating brain's pleasure center

Ohio Department of Mental Health | Getting Treatment

Getting Treatment

Temporary Assistance For Families Funds Available For Families Needing Short Term Mental Health And Substance Use Treatment Services

Ob-Gyns Encouraged To Screen Women For Depression During And After Pregnancy

Phlebotomy Technician Schools » 50 Foods Every Pregnant Woman Should Eat

Health Workers Trained To Take Emotions More Seriously May Prevent Depression Among Patients

Health officials look at C-section rates in Ohio

WebMD Newsletter: Depression

Doctors encourage depression screening during and after pregnancy | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times

Help is available for perinatal mood disorders | independent.gmnews.com | Independent

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: e-Update 2010

New Podcasts: Treatment-Resistant and Postpartum Depression

My EmpowerHER Conditions Digest

Healthy Mom, Happy Families: Understanding Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders

What Is Postpartum Depression? - Katie Monarch, L.C.S.W. (VIDEO) | EmpowHER - Women's Health Online

My EmpowerHER Conditions Digest

27% of low-risk births in Ohio done by C-section | chillicothegazette.com | Chillicothe Gazette

Percentage of C-sections varies greatly in different parts of Ohio | bucyrustelegraphforum.com | Bucyrus Telegraph Forum

Cincinnati Doula Training May 21-23, 2010

Posted by: "Pamela Bell"

Fri Jan 8, 2010 7:32 am (PST)

toLabor (formerly ALACE) Birth Doula Training May 21-23

Pregnant women at risk for depression if stressed, lack social support | University of Michigan Health System

Perinatal Loss Workshops in Ohio

Action Alert!

Maternal depression is associated with significant sleep disturbance in infants

Maternal depression is associated with significant sleep disturbance in infants

This study is the first step towards characterizing the influence of maternal depression on infant sleep

Please sign this petition!

Valley Hospital Hosts Press Conference for U.S. Senator Robert Menendez | EmpowHer - Women's Health Online

With Joy,
Caroline