Remedies for PPD?

[Meliss]

Someone emailed me asking me for advice about post partum depression, but I've never suffered with it. The woman is already on some medication for it, but she is still struggling.

Can anyone who has suffered with PPD share some remedies here that have actually helped?

TIA! :)

[Heather in the Kootenays]

Prozac and exercise.

[SnowWhite]

My SIL just went through this. Besides her medication, she did outpatient hospitalization therapy for a few weeks. She had help with the baby for 6 weeks, and still gets help occasionally. Exercise does help, yes. Comedy movies, little things to pamper herself, dates with her dh, people to watch the baby at night so she could sleep, all these were key. SIL still has a tough time certain days or if she forgets her pill. (Zoloft for her). She also read a book by Brooke Shields about when she went through it that made her feel better about herself and the illness.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Some studies have shown that Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3's, specifically) have a good effect on PPD. See if she can increase the quality of the food she's putting into her mouth, as well.

I lived in fear my last pregnancy that it would be like my second after delivery and beyond, but EFA's really did the trick. I took them religiously before and after dd was born. Sure wish I'd had them with the first two.

[Lisa in Jax]

I haven't had it, but I've read that the following might help:

Zinc supplements. Copper and zinc are related, and high copper is implicated in PPD. When you balance the copper with extra zinc, it seems to help.

Essential Fatty Acids

Molybdenum (which also balances copper and may help with PMS like issues).

Calcium/Magnesium

I hope your friend is better soon.

Lisa

[Amy in NH]

Placenta.

He he. You guys knew I would say it! :D

Dried, powdered, and encapsulated. According to my FL midwife, it works like a charm. And she's been around since the 1970s (delivered over 10,000 babies), so she's a pretty good authority.

[Amy in NY]

I had ppd with #4, probably #2 as well. With #4, progesterone cream worked. I started it after my last baby at 6 weeks pp as well and had no problems.

Amy

P.S. - maybe the placenta works b/c it is the progesterone maker during pregnancy? And efa's are the needed for progesterone production as well (if I remember correctly.)

[Lady Katherine]

Yep. That's what helped me after my 3rd child. The difference was night and day.

[Meliss]

I will pass this info. along.

:)