Mom’s Blue Period

Despite the fact that postpartum depression (PPD) is a term bandied about in the media and openly—and quite casually—discussed amongst seasoned mothers, new moms are often blindsided by it.

Between adjusting to a major life-changing paradigm shift and being massively sleep-deprived, even the most educated, prepared and otherwise proactive women can find themselves unaware of how PPD is affecting their thoughts, their feelings, moods, motivations and, well, entire outlook on new motherhood.

For many women, the symptoms of PPD range from mild to severe depression, anxiety and invasive thoughts to lethargy, fogginess and change in appetite. With a range like that, it’s easy to understand why so many women are confused by, and slow to treat, the insidious disorder.

Here’s what you need to know about PPD:

What Causes Postpartum Depression?

Although the causes of postpartum depression are unknown, here is a list of some factors that may contribute to its onset:

  • Changes in hormone levels
  • A difficult pregnancy/birth
  • Medical problems (mother or baby)
  • Lack of sleep
  • Feeling alone
  • Perceived loss of freedom
  • Sudden changes in routines
  • Personal or family history of depression
  • Family history
  • Prior experience with PPD or other perinatal mood disorders
  • Stress, such as from illness or financial problems

Who’s at Risk?

PPD can affect any woman, regardless of age, race, ethnicity or economic background who:

  • Is pregnant
  • Has recently given birth
  • Has terminated a pregnancy or miscarried
  • Has recently stopped breastfeeding

What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?

Symptoms of PPD can actually appear during pregnancy (and would more accurately be called perinatal mood disorder) and up to one year after delivery. Common symptoms include:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Sleeping too much
  • Changes in appetite
  • Feeling irritable, angry or nervous
  • Feeling exhausted
  • Lack of interest in the baby
  • Lack of interest in friends and family
  • Lack of interest in sex
  • Feeling guilty or worthless
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Crying uncontrollably
  • Feelings of being a bad mother
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Obsessive behavior, especially when it comes to her health or the health of the baby
  • Low energy
  • Thoughts of harming the baby or harming herself

Okay, so I think I am suffering from postpartum depression. What can I do about it?

There is no reason to suffer and definitely no reason to suffer alone in silence. One of the best things you can do to begin conquering PPD is to tell someone you trust (mother, sister, husband, friend) that you are experiencing it. From there, set up an appointment with your ob/gyn for a diagnostic evaluation. Postpartum depression, even in the most severe cases, is treatable—most commonly with medication and/or psychotherapy. You and your doctor will devise a treatment plan based on your needs and circumstances.

Want more info? New Jersey is on the forefront of providing resources to women with PPD. Go to www.NJSpeakUp.gov or call the state help line at 800.328.3838 for general questions and information on treatment options in your area.

Other resources include:

Postpartum Support International

WomensHealth.gov

Online PPD Support Group

 

 

My Fair Baby

Calling all moms-to-be: Healthy Woman will be at CentraState’s Spring Baby Fair on Thursday, April 28 from 6 to 8.

Come chat with our team, check out the First Impressions Maternity Center and scoop up some fabulous freebies.

See you at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 West Main Street in Freehold.

For more info, go to www.centrastate.com or call 866-236-8727 to register.

 

The Weighting Game: What to Expect When It Comes to Pregnancy Weight Gain

For some pregnant women, watching the scale tip slightly more each week is upsetting, while others welcome the opportunity to put on some pounds guilt-free. Whatever your feelings on pregnancy weight gain, realize that it’s both normal and needed for your baby to grow and thrive—but “eating for two” isn’t actually a license to eat double what you normally would.

What the Scale Should Show

When figuring out how much weight you should gain during your pregnancy, first use a BMI calculator to find out what your body mass index was before you conceived. If you’re starting out at a healthy weight (a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9), you’ll want to gain about 25 to 35 pounds. Those who are underweight (a BMI of less than 18.5) need to gain more to ensure the health of their baby, about 28 to 40 pounds. Women who are overweight (a BMI of 25 to 29.9) should aim for 15 to 25 pounds, while those who are obese (a BMI of 30 and up) will only want to add another 11 to 20. (Having twins? You’ll need to gain more—talk to your doctor about just how much.)

Does It Really Matter How Much Weight I Gain?

Yes. If you don’t gain enough, you’re at an increased risk for delivering your baby early and/or smaller than expected. Gain too much, and you’re upping your chances of labor complications and needing a C-section. Plus, losing the weight post-pregnancy will be all the tougher, and if you don’t shed the extra pounds, you’re inviting in a whole host of health problems.

Getting the Proper Nourishment

While it can be tempting to get those extra calories from treats like donuts and extra slices of pizza, the quality of calories—in addition to the quantity—does matter. You and your bambino will feel better in the long run with fruits, veggies and whole grains than you will with cookies and fries, and you’ll be delivering Junior with the nutrients he or she needs. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a slice of cake at your baby shower—just moderate your sweets intake the same way you did (or should have!) before you got pregnant.

Read more about how a lifestyle intervention can help women manage their weight during and after pregnancy.

 

Run On!

Healthy Woman.

We mean it.

We make your health and wellness our top priority, from adolescence to menopause and way beyond.

We are your partner in health and we make it our mission to fulfill the emotional, physical and physiological needs of all women through the provision of personal, individualized healthcare services.

Simply put: We’ve got your back, sister!

Take Danielle Hamarich for example. She delivered her two children with Healthy Woman then during a subsequent annual gynecologic exam, Dr. Rebecca Cipriano felt her thyroid was enlarged. This enlargement was thyroid cancer.

Healthy Woman partner Dr. Susan Pacana, who also cared for Danielle during her pregnancy and beyond, and Danielle began sharing running tips last year after the ever-brave Danielle had just completed her first half-marathon to raise money for thyroid cancer via the THANC Foundation and Dr. Susan was, coincidentally, gearing up for a different half-marathon.

Says Dr. Susan, “Danielle recently asked me to run with her team for this race and I couldn’t be more excited. I am amazed at Danielle’s enthusiasm for running even after her diagnosis, while working and raising a family.  Running a half marathon for the THANC Foundation is easy compared to what patients with these cancer face.”

So, you know we walk our talk and now you know we run it too.

To support Dr. Susan’s run on Sunday, May 1 and the THANC Foundation in the fight against thyroid, head and neck cancers, go to www.thancfoundation.org.

On Fertile Ground: All-Natural Fertility Tips

Want to boost your chances of conceiving with techniques Mother Earth would be proud of? Try these five all-natural fertility tips:

1. Cut back on caffeine. While studies are mixed on whether caffeine affects your fertility, there’s evidence out there that it might—and it could raise your risk of miscarriage once you do get pregnant. Be on the safe side and reduce your intake of coffee, soda, energy drinks, tea and, yes, even chocolate (don’t worry; you can still have a bite or two every now and then!).

2. Get moving. If there was a pill that improved your mood, protected you against chronic diseases, regulated your weight, helped you sleep better, boosted your energy levels and had a positive effect on your sex life, you probably wouldn’t hesitate to take it, right? Exercise can do all that for you and more—including make it easier to get pregnant. Just be sure not to over-exercise, as super-strenuous workouts can impair your fertility.

3. Forget fragrances. Scented cleaning products and air fresheners may smell good, but chances are that seemingly pleasant fragrance is caused by a chemical that could have an adverse effect on your fertility. Don’t risk it; instead, try using natural products like baking soda to remove odors and use only earth-friendly cleansers around the house.

4. Pack in the produce. Mom always told you it was important to eat your fruits and veggies, and she was right. For fertility’s sake, brightly colored produce is teeming with micronutrients like antioxidants, which fight against free radicals (aka molecules that can wreak havoc on your body, including your reproductive organs). Add in the fact that fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins that help keep you in tip-top shape, and five cups should be a daily goal.

5. Take a deep breath and…relax. Stress has an adverse impact on all aspects of your life, and conceiving isn’t immune. When you’re too frazzled, your hypothalamus can get out of whack, affecting when or whether you ovulate. Take up yoga, meditation or even just deep breathing to help calm your mind—and don’t forget that baby-making may feel like business, but it should also be a pleasure.

 

Step by Step

She walks hard for the money! (Yes, that song will be in your head for the rest of the day and you are welcome.)

On March 27, the Healthy Woman team walked their talk at the 2nd Annual Paulette Steps Toward Cancer Wellness 5K/1 Mile Fitness Walk.

Says Healthy Woman Executive Director Stephanie Serrentino, “The staff of Healthy Woman was there to take part in a 5k Run/Fitness Walk to help Centra State raise money for colon cancer. Everyone took time out from their busy schedule to be part of this event. It turned out to be a good day, knowing that everyone was there for a good cause.”

A good cause indeed! Paulette Stallone, a Manalapan mom, marathon runner and fitness instructor who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer two years ago at the age of 44, partnered with Centra State Hospital in Freehold on the second event of its kind that, last year, raised more than $26,000. With a palpable passion for healthy living, Paulette is on a  mission to help others beat cancer through education, prevention, early detection and a continued focus on wellness following a cancer diagnosis.

This mission is very much step with the modus operandi of Healthy Woman, a Freehold- and Colts-Neck-based Ob/Gyn practice that makes its patients’ health and well-being its top priority, from pap smear to pregnancy to menopause.

Launching in May: Healthy Woman’s Charity of the Month program.

Step by step, Healthy Woman is making a difference!

 

Special Deliveries

Healthy Woman’s own Dr. Rebecca Cipriano had a big yesterday—big being the operative word.
The good doctor delivered three baby girls, all over 8.10 pounds. Whoa!
The babies and their mamas are all doing well.

Just a reminder that Healthy Woman is all about embracing women’s choice in labor.

It’s your birth—and it’s our job to make sure you are empowered, safe, healthy and happy before, during and after the big day!

Dressed for the Nines

Pregnancy thrown your style sense for a loop? It isn’t always so easy to look your best when your belly is a-swelling. Many moms-to-be resort to oversized (read: frumpy) clothes, as they feel more and more out of touch with the latest looks and how to fit their growing bodies in them.

The good news: You don’t have to sacrifice style for the next nine-plus months—you don’t have to spend a fortune either. Just stick these top ten maternity must-haves, a set of classic items that will keep you on trend, looking good and feeling good about yourself as you make your way from maternity to motherhood.

1.  A Posh Pair of Jeans

Pregnancy jeans ain’t what they used to be—thank goodness! Made by almost all of the hottest jean companies (like 7 for All Mankind and J Brand) on the market today, pregnancy jeans can be dressed up or down and will likely carry you through your entire pregnancy.

2. It’s a Wrap Sweater

A cozy-cool wrap sweater (think: tunic length with adjustable tie) makes for a flattering silhouette as it hugs your newfound curves. Bang for your buck bonus: This versatile cover-up is also a fit for fourth trimester and beyond donning.

3. A Tunic or Two

Tunics have been the top du jour for years now and their inherently preggo-friendly design (loose in the middle and long to cover hips and bottoms) make them a go-to look for moms-to-be. Available in a variety of colors and styles, these tops will have you feeling easy, breezy and en vogue all pregnancy long.

4. Tees to Please

When it comes to t-shirts, go for quality. It’s better to pick up two or three well-made (which usually means slightly higher priced) tees than settle for a closet full of cheap toss-aways. Good maternity tees will keep their stretch from wash to wash, ensuring that your baby bump is always ready for its close-up.

5. She’s Got Leggings

Leggings! Versatile, comfortable and stylish—why it’s the trimester trifecta! Pair them with flats or knee-high boots, a dress, a tunic or a blazer and tee and you’ve got a winning street-chic look.

6. Highs and Lows

Keep in step with style by picking up a pair or two of ballet flats (go for ones with a rubber sole for more support). This simple shoe breeds comfort without skimping on the cool. Feel like you need a leg up? Skip the stilettos and put your best foot forward in a wedge. The flat surface provides more stability for a safer (note the -er part—you still need to be careful!) swagger when stepping out.

7. Bag It

Let’s face it: A fabulous bag can make any gal feel like a million bucks. Go for the most fabulous, on-trend one you can find!

8. Be Jeweled

Well, isn’t that swell? Your rings don’t fit anymore. Forget the hands—and while you’re at it skip the wrists too—and focus on the neck and ears when it comes to adorning yourself. A knock-out pair of door knocker earrings (so in right now!) take jeans and a tee from plain to pow. A statement-piece necklace gets high marks for impact and can instantly modernize an old (or overly worn) outfit.

9. LBD

Hmm…maybe it’s not little but we refuse to call it a BBD. Just like in times of pre-pregnancy yore, a black dress remains a wardrobe staple—an iconic look that never goes out of style. Go casual by pairing it with a cardigan and a pair of flats for a day at the office and go sexy by wearing it with wedges, eye-popping earrings and a little extra eye makeup for a night out on the town with your man.

10. Under Covers

As your body grows, so does your need for extra support when it comes to your undergarments. Before you commit to a couple new bras go down to the local bra shop and get fitted. A well-fitted bra not only ups the comfort-quotient but it also keeps your shape sleek. On the underwear front, choose a size or two up and look for styles that fit underneath the belly.

 

 

 

 

 

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