Postpartum Depression Specialist

What is postpartum depression?

There’s a difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression. Many women experience baby blues, which usually begin in the first few days after delivery and go away on their own in a week or two. Women may feel depressed, anxious and upset, and even angry with their new baby or other family members. They may cry easily, and even question whether they can handle caring for their baby. These feelings may come and go in the first days after childbirth, but most women feel better after no more than two weeks without treatment

Postpartum depression, however, is a major depressive disorder that lasts longer and can be severe enough to interfere with your ability to care for yourself, your new baby, or anyone else in your family.

Women may have intense feelings of sadness and despair which usually start 1-3 weeks after childbirth, but can occur up to one year after having a baby.

What causes postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression doesn’t have one specific cause; rather, it develops from a combination of physical and emotional changes. Your levels of hormones drop quickly after childbirth, leading to chemical changes in your brain that can trigger depression.

The chemical changes alone may cause postpartum depression, but it doesn’t help that new mothers are energy-depleted and don’t get enough sleep. All these issues can contribute to depression.

Who is at a higher risk of postpartum depression?

You may be more likely to develop postpartum depression if you have a history of depression, whether during an earlier pregnancy or at any other time. Many issues impact your psychological health, potentially raising your risk for postpartum depression, including high levels of stress or anxiety for any reason, such as family illness or moving to a new city.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?

The symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to those of major depression and include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
• Crying for no apparent reason
• Worrying or feeling anxious
• Feeling moody or irritable
• Eating too much or not enough
• Oversleeping or being unable to sleep
• Difficulty with memory and concentration
• Sudden anger or rage
• Physical aches and pains
• Withdrawing from family
• Difficulty bonding with your baby

How is postpartum depression treated?

The team at Park Avenue Women’s Center routinely screens for and treat postpartum depression. Two treatments that make a significant difference include:

Medication

Antidepressant medications lift depression by restoring the brain chemicals involved in mood regulation. Some medications are safe to use during breastfeeding. Your doctors at Park Avenue Women’s Center are experts in women’s health care, so they’ll talk with you about the benefits and side effects of medication.

Counseling

Therapies such as interpersonal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are especially effective for treating depression. Treatment with both counseling and medication often produces better results.

If you suffer from postpartum depression, call your doctor at Park Avenue Women’s Center or book an appointment online to get the help and support you need.

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Menstrual flow that exceeds the normal amount, duration, regularity, or frequency is called abnormal uterine bleeding. It accounts for about one-third of gynecologic visits, and an even higher percentage of visits in women in their perimenopause and menopausal years. Common causes of abnormal uterine bleeding are uterine abnormalities such as polyps, fibroids, or cancer. Also, medical and endocrinologic problems, as well as ovulatory problems, can cause abnormal uterine bleeding.

At Park Avenue Women’s Center, the doctors are fully equipped to evaluate, diagnose, and treat abnormal uterine bleeding, regardless of its cause. They perform transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, video hysteroscopy, and endometrial biopsies in their Manhattan office or at the ambulatory surgical center nearby, and can develop a shared treatment plan once the diagnosis is successfully made.