The Postpartum Wellness Center of Boulder

The Overlap Between Miscarriage, Perinatal Loss, and PPD: 13 Things to know about Grief

katekripke — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:55:36 +0000

A number of months ago, my dear friend and colleague, Claudine Radford, LCSW, contributed to this blog with a fabulous interview on preterm and neonatal loss. Since that time I have worked with countless women as their make their way though this type loss, grief, and healing. Today, I am talking at Postpartum Progress about things to consider if you are a mom who is or has endured such tragedy… Come on over.

Talking to Other Moms About PPD: Do You?

katekripke — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:28:04 +0000

Its a tricky question. You are a mom who has struggled with a postpartum mood and anxiety disorder like PPD and you have a ton of info to share. But how do you do this and is it always appropriate? We are discussing these questions over at Postpartum Progress- Come on over!

A Breathing Meditation for New Moms

katekripke — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:55:04 +0000

Breath is a magnificent thing. Really. Of course we need to breathe to exist, but we often forget how important breath is for mental health and stress management. Our brains need oxygen to thrive and breath is also a pretty simple tool in practicing mindfulness. And when we are most present and mindful we are also usually our most grounded.

Cassandra Vieten, PhD, author of Mindful Motherhood, offers a fabulous audio breathing meditation on her website. Please take a listen here. This 25 minute guided meditation and focus on breath is a gift to new moms who are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, or simply in need of a quiet moment.

Psychotherapy Options for Treating PPD

katekripke — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:52:04 +0000

Are you wondering about what types of psychotherapy are useful in treating PPD? Come on over to Postpartum Progress and I’ll fill you in.

The Well Mom Checklist for Postpartum Health

katekripke — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:18:58 +0000

We talk a lot on this blog and Postpartum Progress about what it is like when a mom is NOT well. But let’s pause for just a minute and focus on what might be included in the lives of moms who are.

Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders can happen even when the below are maintained, but fact is that the below decrease one’s risk of developing (and certainly exacerbating) a PMAD. So, here you go.

The Well Mom Checklist:

1. Healthy nutrition including adequate amounts of protein (required for brain health and the synthesis of Serotonin).

2. Adequate sleep (think about a minimum of 4 hours of un-interupted sleep at least 4 nights a week… with much more whenever possible).

3. Regular daily exercise (walking, stretching, yoga included)

4. Adequate water intake (dehydration and anxiety have been linked)

5. Full, deep, belly breathing (our brains need oxygen to thrive)

6. Community support (family, friends, neighbors, therapists, postpartum support, spiritual community, etc)

7. Humor

8. Fresh air and sunshine

9. Breaks and time for self care (it is a myth that the “good mom” is one who always wants to be with her children)

10. A strong and communicative relationship with a co-parent or partner

11. Understanding (and forgiveness) of one’s self, needs, and emotional triggers

12. A willingness to make mistakes

Many of these things are difficult to achieve, I know, and often the way to obtain these things is through reaching out for help. Which is the final addition to this list. Moms who are willing to ask for and receive help are usually the ones who have their needs met at a time when a focus on needs can be monopolized by that little being in their arms. But moms need to be well, too.

Here’s to health…

Do You Feel Like Someone is Holding Your Postpartum Depression Against You?

katekripke — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:58:17 +0000

Have you felt as though the people in your life are unable to let go of your Postpartum depression diagnosis? Do you feel like others don’t treat you as they once did? If so, come on over to Postpartum Progress and join our discussion…

Making the Choice to Get Pregnant if you Struggle with Severe Mental Illness

katekripke — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:27:10 +0000

These can be hard questions to negotiate for folks. If you, or someone you know, is thinking through the option of becoming pregnant while struggling with a mental illness like bipolar disorder, this post over at Postpartum Progress is for you.

*Quick answer? yes, you can…

Traumatic Events and Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

katekripke — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:59:52 +0000

I think that it is probably fair to say that the traumatic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last week have left most of us feeling emotion that we were not prepared for. Most of us, whether or not we are parents ourselves, whether or not we are close in vicinity to that little part of the world, whether or not we work in schools or have elementary-aged children or know someone who does… most of us, whether or not we are currently struggling with a postpartum anxiety disorder, will feel the ripple effect of the unfathomable trauma that occurred. Many of us will feel anger, rage, fear, sadness, and confusion at some point if not all at once.

While we feel these things, there is also the important reminder of perspective, resilience, and hope… all elements of emotional wellness that are not necessarily felt right away or that come without effort, but certainly are elements of emotional wellness that are needed to make it through such crises.

Moms who are currently in the midst of a postpartum mood disorder like depression or anxiety do not always have this capability as their brains are likely to be less resilient to stress, are likely to be challenged with perspective, and are likely to get stuck quickly in the cycle of fight, flight, or freeze. Moms who are currently struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety are likely to be in the midst of a real crises, themselves, right now as they try to find their way during a time of such bewilderment in the communities around them. These moms are likely to be terrified of even more than they thought was possible before Friday, and these moms are likely to feel a level of anxiety right now that goes beyond what someone who is not struggling with depression and anxiety is experiencing- which is saying a lot given how affected so many people are by these terrible events.

And so if this is you, now is a time to remember what you need to be well- whether that is sleep, nutrition, community, therapy, exercise, or a combination of all of the above. All of the emotions that come up are important to feel- all of them- and at the same time your brain needs a lot to tolerate such stress. Your brain needs you. Remembering yourself at this time of sadness, compassion, and empathy is so important.

Many of the helping professionals out there are reminding us to focus on safety- what makes us feel safe and secure at a time of vulnerability is an imperative piece of healing. Do you receive feelings of safety from your husband or partner? Family? Friends? Your therapist? Your community? Your own teachers or mentors or service professionals around you? Do you need some support in recognizing where safety comes from for you?

In an effort to help mothers cope with this tragedy, Postpartum Support International has provided some suggestions that you can access here.

When Divorce Follows PPD

katekripke — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:31:51 +0000

We are talking about this very complicated topic over at Postpartum Progress. Come on over and share your thoughts…

A Reminder for Each of You

katekripke — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:59:06 +0000

Okay….. I have been slacking on my own blog. And I really don’t like when that happens. As most of you know, I write be-weekly for Katherine Stone’s Postpartum Progress and I have simply been prioritizing that over writing for my own. But, to practice what I preach I am constantly reminding myself of this: I can’t do it all.

Which is why I LOVE this post over at the Huffington Post. If you haven’t seen it yet, read it. And remind yourself of Why You Are Never Failing As A Mother…