- Feelings of inadequacy (loss of confidence, worthlessness, not a good mother )
- Difficulty bonding with the baby (thoughts of hurting baby, don't recognize baby as their own)
- Difficulty functioning for a prolonged period of time (sleeping,eating, daily activites)
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Crying spells
POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD)
PPD is a mood disorder affecting pregnant and new mothers. The onset tends to be gradual and may persist for many months, or develop into a second bout following a subsequent pregnancy. It affects approximately 15% of all childbearing women. This is a serious problem that disrupts the lives of the women and their families yet more than 95% of women go undiagnosed and untreated. Many women feel ashamed they are not coping and may conceal their difficulties. In some cases, women may not even be aware themselves.
IT IS VERY TREATABLE BUT UNTREATED, IT POSES HEALTH RISKS: Depressed mothers receive less pre-natal care, use more alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, eat less nutritionally, and have more pre-term births. The newborns often have low-birth weights and disturbed bonding with their mothers. As the child develops, depression, lower IQ, and health problems may result. To find out more about Postpartum Depression, please go the the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois at www.PPDIL.org or Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net.
TOP WARNING SIGNS: -Feelings of inadequacy (loss of confidence, worthlessness, not a good mother ) -Difficulty bonding with the baby (thoughts of hurting baby, don't recognize baby as their own) -Difficulty functioning for a prolonged period of time (sleeping,eating, daily activites) - Anxiety/panic attacks - Crying spells
***Important difference between postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis
Psychosis is much more severe but very rare. It is characterized by a loss of touch with reality and hallucination to kill the infant or that the baby is possessed. Psychosis is a very serious emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Luncheon/restaurant Info:
Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. (H.A.S.) is proud to announce Treating Moms Well, a Mothers Day Awards Luncheon. The luncheon is a fundraiser to help H.A.S. expand Postpartum Depression treatment services for mothers who cannot afford to pay for treatment. The luncheon is in honor of the extraordinary mothers in all our lives and in recognition of Postpartum Depression month also in May.
WHEN: Friday, May 9, 2008, 1 pm to 3 pm
WHERE: East Bank Club, 500 North Kingsbury, Chicago
DONATION: $100 per ticket
Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. (H.A.S.) is proud to announce it's partnership with several Chicago restaurants to Treat Moms Well this Mother's Day Weekend on May 10th and 11th, 2008. Participating restaurants are donating a portion of their Mother's Day proceeds to help expand Postpartum Depression (PPD) treatment services at H.A.S. for mothers who cannot afford to pay for treatment.
Participating Restaurants:
- Andies Restaurant, 5253 N. Clark, (773) 784-8616, andiesres.com
- Cafe 28, 1800 W. Irving Park Road, (773) 528-2883, cafe28.org
- Caliente, 2556 W. Fullerton, (773) 772-4355, calientechicago.com
- Cielito Lindo, 2253 W. Taylor Street, (312) 738-1686 Coco, 2723 W. Division, (773) 384-4811, cocochicago.com
- Diana's Food and Restaurant, 1000 N. Francisco, (773) 235-9218
- Haro Tapas and Pintxos, 2436 S. Oakley, (773) 847-2400, harotapas.com
- Jack's on Halsted, 3201 N. Halsted, (773)-244-9191, jacksonhalsted.com
- Santorini, 800 W. Adams, (312) 829-8820, santorinichicago.com
For more information visit www.treatingmomswell.org.
