If You Missed Them: Links for Thought (1/31/12)

In 2012, Links for Thought will appear one-at-a-time on Williamsburg Mothering’s Facebook feed first, with a summary roundup (like this one here) posted occasionally on the blog.

“Like” Williamsburg Mothering on Facebook to get the latest links as soon as they’re up!

And now without further ado, the links!

Links for Thought

  • LactMed.  Check on the safety of drugs, supplements, and herbs during breastfeeding with this online NIH database.  Available as an app for iPhone/Android, too!

New Postpartum Resources.  Williamsburg Mothering did a special weeklong focus on postpartum mood issues on Facebook in the leadup to the launch of our new Resource Guide to Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

  • 5 Damaging Myths About Postpartum Depression.  Myth 1: Women with PPD are sad and cry constantly.  Myth 2: PPD occurs within the first few months of childbirth.  Myth 3. PPD will go away on its own… (PsychCentral)
  • Depression in Pregnant Women and New Mothers.  A collection of first-rate, cutting-edge articles by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC.  Particularly great are the handouts on non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical treatments for postpartum mood disorders.

Local News and Events

  • Magic Hour Gives New Parents Bonding Time with Baby.  Bon Secours hospitals recently instituted a “Magic Hour” policy of immediate skin-to-skin bonding time for babies and their parents in the first hour after birth, for both vaginal and C-section deliveries! It would be wonderful to see Sentara follow suit! (The Daily Press)
  • Free Healthy Pregnancy Class (Sat 2/4,10:30 AM, Williamsburg Regional Library, downtown Williamsburg).  Two hours.  Learn about nutrition, pregnancy exercises, interventions, your options, birth partners, stages of birth, and more.
  • Pregnancy Loss Circle (Thu 2/16, 7:00 PM, Gloucester Courthouse).  A safe, supportive environment to talk about loss during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum.

A Resource Guide for Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD

Image via UNC Center for Women's Mood Disorders

Announcing a special addition to Williamsburg Mothering’s list of local pregnancy, birth, and mothering resources: a new guide to local sources of support for Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD!

The guide includes two sections: Essential Reading and Local Resources.

The Essential Reading section provides information on symptoms, diagnosis, proven non-drug treatments (Omega-3 fish oil, exercise, bright light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and others), drug treatments (Paxil, Zoloft, and others), and drug safety while breastfeeding.  If you are experiencing postpartum symptoms, be reassured that you have many ways of helping yourself feel better!

The Local Resources section includes contact information for local therapists and postpartum mood disorder specialists.  Sadly, the nearest PPD specialists seem to be in Richmond, but there are Williamsburg psychologists who may provide support to mothers who cannot travel for specialist help.

The Essential Reading section was compiled by me, but the Local Resources section was compiled by a Williamsburg mother who experienced PPD, did extensive research into local PPD specialists and support, and shared her findings with us all!  Our sincere thanks to her for her hard work, our congratulations on her recovery, and our well-wishes for her continued good health!