P.A.S.T. Postpartum Adjustment Support Team
"I will get past this"
Date: The first and third Tuesday of the month.
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (meetings begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.)
Location: Advocate Christ Conference Center, 9400 S. Kilbourn, Room 0614, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453 (Entrance off Kilbourn Ave, next to Imaging Center) Free parking is available.
Cost: None
Description: The support group offers resources that will allow new mothers to become more knowledgeable about Postpartum Depression, its causes and available treatment options. This service will also give mothers the opportunity to talk, listen and share their experiences with other women experiencing similar feelings.
Contact Information: Please call, 708.684.1333
Registration is not necessary to attend.
Infants are welcome. However, children can not be accommodated at this time.
Additional Resources
Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance
Women's Health Information
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression??
Having a baby can be the most exciting and exhilarating experience. It is also one of the most challenging times, both physically and emotionally, for you and your family as you cope with your new addition to the family. Emotional ups and downs are natural during this transition period.This period before and after childbirth can be difficult for some new mothers. If you are pregnant, or have had a baby within the past year, you can be affected. If you experience any of the following symptoms seek early detection and support so you can more quickly recover and return to a happy, healthy family life.
Baby Blues
The Baby Blues is the most well know of normal postpartum adjustment that affects 50 to 80% of new mothers. This is not considered a postpartum mood disorder, but a common occurrence that is hormonally induced. The onset can be from birth through the first few weeks.
Baby blues symptoms include, but are not limited to:
|
Continuous crying
|
Over-sensitivity
|
Anxiety
|
|
No confidence
|
New fears
|
Exhaustion
|
|
No Energy
|
Feeling Overwhelmed
|
Not eating
|
|
Sadness
|
Physical pain
|
Not sleeping
|
|
Confusion
|
Irritability
|
|
If after two weeks postpartum the symptoms continue or worsen, it may indicate a more serious condition.
Postpartum Depression
One in ten new mothers experiences various degrees of depression during the childbearing year. The onset can be anywhere from two weeks up to one year postpartum. These more serious disorders can impact up to twenty percent of new parents. The most common symptoms of depression may include, but are not limited to this list.
Postpartum Depression symptoms Include, but are not limited to:
|
A sense of despair
|
Feeling hopeless
|
|
Sleeping too much or insomnia
|
No energy or interests
|
|
Frightening thoughts
|
Weight loss or gain
|
|
Guilt, shame
|
Hypochondria
|
|
Not eating
|
Feeling inadequate
|
|
Suicidal thoughts
|
|
Treatment
Remember you are not alone. Seek help from family and friends. Let your physician know how you are feeling. Help and treatment are available including education and support groups. Medication and individual or group therapy may sometimes be necessary.
Here is a list of physicians that treat Postpartum depression at Advocate Christ Medical Center.
|
