Help a Friend Going Through Postpartum Depression

This is a personal reflection on dealing with postpartum depression. Here are some words of advice on helping a friend going through postpartum depression, which can be frustrating to see.

Steps

 * 1) Look after your friend's baby every now and then. This will allow your friend time to sleep, exercise or hit Starbucks for a decaf and read a favorite magazine. This is especially helpful for mothers with babies suffering from a condition or illness, such as colic; the mother needs a break now and then.
 * 2) Ask your friend, "What do you need right now?", "What would you like more than anything right now?" If she answers, "my bathroom to be cleaned"ion. Progesterone levels are very high during pregnancy, and rapidly drop in order to trigger labor; sometimes the levels do not recover for a time after delivery.  Doctors can test for low progesterone and prescribe it; progesterone is even available without prescription (Progest is a good brand.  Progesterone is okay to use while nursing (consider that many women nurse successfully while pregnant, when their progesterone levels are very high).
 * Suicidal or homicidal thoughts are medical emergencies - any mother with thoughts of hurting herself or her baby(babies) should be taken to the nearest emergency room, calling for an ambulance is the safest way to accomplish this.

Related

 * How to Help a Friend With Depression
 * How to Help a Really Sick Friend or Relative
 * How to Help a Friend With a Serious Depression Problem
 * How to Help a Friend Deal With a Problem Without Sounding Harsh
 * How to Help and Support a Friend Through Any Hardship

Sources and Citations

 * Postpartum Support International