W.P.R.C.
PREGNANCY and POSTPARTUM PROGRAM
Pregnancy and postpartum disorders are family issues.
Our program was developed to address the unique needs of families during this period.
We offer:
Preconception Consult
Pregnancy Evaluation and Treatment
Postpartum Depression Prevention Planning
Postpartum Assessment and Treatment
Services Include:
· Educational material
· Postpartum video viewing
· Weekly postpartum therapy group
· Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
· Inclusion of family members when appropriate
· Medication and nonmedication management of symptoms
PREGNANCY:
Pregnancy is a time of massive physical and psychological changes. Reactions to these changes cannot be fully anticipated, and it is not uncommon for a woman to experience anxiety and/or depression during her pregnancy, especially if she has risk factors. The symptoms described below may also occur during pregnancy, and then it's very important to develop a plan to decrease postpartum risk.
POSTPARTUM:
Your baby has arrived. Instead of joy, you may feel sad, depressed, anxious, even angry. You are not alone. Many women experience significant postpartum symptoms. It is important to realize that these disorders are not self induced. A woman cannot “pull herself together” any more than she could if she had the flu, diabetes, or any other physical illness.
WHAT CAUSES POSTPARTUM ILLNESS?
Unfotunately,individuals with these disorders are often blamed. Mechanisms involved in postpartum illness are not completely understood. Research indicates that these disorders are biochemical and hormonal. The brain’s neurotransmitters are directly responsible for the way we feel. They are affected by heredity, hormonal changes, and environmental stress.
It's important to know that these problems respond very well to treatment, and you can expect to get better.
Are you experiencing the following symptoms?
DEPRESSION:
- 10 to 20 percent of women who give birth develop postpartum depression.
- Intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and despair do not go away in 1-2 weeks. Instead,the feelings increase with each week and may last for a year or more.
Other symptoms include:
- Feelings of doubt, guilt, helplessness,hopelessness and worthlessness
- Trouble handling the usual responsibilities
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Marked changes in appetite
- Loss of interest in things that used to bring pleasure, including sex
- Anxiety and worry
- Thoughts of harming yourself
- Irritability and anger
PANIC ATTACKS:
Women may experience severe anxiety attacks which include the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or faintness
- Increased heart rate, chest pain
- Sweating, nausea or choking
- Numbness and tingling
- Fear of dying or going crazy
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
SYMPTOMS:
- Recurrent, intrusive thoughts, urges or
images that cause a great deal of distress,
i.e. excessive concerns about the infant’s
health or of harming the infant.
- The need to preform repetitive behaviors
that seem senseless, i.e. compulsive house
cleaning or checking.
POSTPARTUM PSYCHOSIS:
- One in 1,000 women develop this severe
reaction.
- Symptoms are severe and may include
insomnia, hallucinations, agitation and
bizarre feelings or behavior.
- Postpartum psychosis is serious
and requires immediate
medical help.
