Hudson Valley Parent

28 Hudson Valley Parent Q 2013 Baby Guide G iving birth and becoming a mother are perhaps the most life-changing events that any woman can experience. Is it any wonder that so often the stress of this new life can bring on Post- Partum Depression (PPD)? Time constraints, financial problems and even self-doubt about one's parenting skills can all cause stress. New moms who have a family history of depression, inadequate support system or premenstrual issues can be prone to PPD. Many new moms have experienced this added stress, but have found successful ways to deal with it. Sleep and predisposition Stephanie DeRose, of Wappingers Falls, now has a six year-old son and a three year-old daughter. She says she spent a lot of time educating herself beforehand. "I felt very prepared for labor and birth and then all of a sudden, I had this child and said, 'Okay, now what do I do?'" Now a childcare instructor herself, DeRose said, "I don't think any book or video can prepare you for being a new mom. It's just something you have to go through yourself." "I'm certain that I suffered from PPD," says DeRose. "I'm pretty sure the lack of sleep early on in my son's life contributed to my elevated levels of stress." DeRose was predisposed to PPD as she experienced depression as a teenager. "Although having an additional child brings on a whole new set of stressors, I laid down very different ground rules when my daughter was born," said DeRose. She was extremely selective about who was allowed in to visit the first six weeks. She only saw a few very close friends, her sister-in- law and her mother. "In other industrialized countries, huge emphasis is placed on the bonding process between mother and child," says DeRose. "I feel all parents should put more emphasis on the bonding process, so I did." DeRose joined a local new mother and breastfeeding group soon after she gave birth to her daughter, which aided in reducing her stress levels. "At the group meetings, you hear all the things that are happening to you are also happening to everyone else," said DeRose. Rehearsal can help Amber Crispell, of Kingston also had a bout with PPD. Her main stressor surrounded the birth of her son, he came six weeks early! "Having a sister who is 17 years younger was somewhat of a rehearsal for me," said Crispell. "When I became pregnant, I read so many books and had long talks with my mom." Her son, Kaeden, spent the first two weeks of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit. After he came home, Crispell had difficulty finding a new mother's support group that fit her work schedule. "They all seemed to meet in the mornings, but I knew I needed that support from others," said Crispell. "When I couldn't find a local support group, I realized it wasn't the group I needed, just someone to talk to that shares my views on raising children." For her, this was her mom. Whenever Crispell is feeling overwhelmed, she takes a deep breath, picks up the phone and calls her mom for a chat. New Mom Stress SYMPTOMS, SOLUTIONS AND SYMPATHY By CHERYL A. RICE

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