This mom is in the throes of postpartum depression and could use a big hug from our community. Let's all visit her blog, read her story and leave her a comment to show support.

http://hopefeelsgood.blogspot.com/2008/0...

I just read the EmpowHer news story about Gwyneth Paltrow's recent interview where she says that her postpartum depression was staved off when she started eating healthy, doing acupuncture, and getting in touch with her spirituality.

I send many kudos Gwyneth's way for recognizing that she had PPD and was able to find techniques that helped.

At the same time, I want to offer a word of caution that sometimes PPD is so severe that no amount of vegies, prayers or needles will make an impact.

I wasn't single back in the days when I had my babies, and fortunately had a very supportive husband who helped me when I suffered through PPD and later helped me avoid suffering through it again. Now that I'm single and writing this PPD blog, I can only wonder what happens to all of the new single moms out there who are faced with PPD....

Becoming a new mother is an intense experience that affects all areas of your life including work, relationships, identity, and emotional health. Motherhood adds stress to life, no matter how good you feel. The challenges of caring for a newborn, other children, home, and whatever else can cause problems for you physically and emotionally - unless you have good support. One form of help available to you is a parent coach.

I am passionate about advocating for change in the perception of post partum depression and psychosis. It's very important that young women provide support for one another.

I am passionate about advocating for change in the perception of post partum depression and psychosis. It's very important that young women provide support for one another.

New moms have specific contraceptive needs. They want birth control that is effective, simple to use, can be used over a long period of time, and allows for sexual spontaneity. An important question often asked by new moms is, “How soon after giving birth do I need to start using birth control?” Usually, doctors recommend that birth control be started six weeks after giving birth (if medically it’s okay to have sex) or when menstruation resumes.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has sent out an Action Alert concerning The Mothers Act (H.R. 20 and S. 1375.) If you'd like to take action, it's very easy!! You just go to the following web page and fill out an e-mail form that automatically goes out to your senators and representatives, according to your zip code: http://capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?al... Below is the actual Action Alert from the DBSA: Urgent Request! We Need Your Help NOW! Speak out in Full Support of Postpartum Depression Legislation.

When your wife has postpartum depression (PPD), which affects about 1 in 7 women after childbirth, you might feel confused, annoyed, scared, sad, worried or any combination of these. My husband certainly did. You might be thinking, “Why can’t she just be happy? What’s wrong with her? Aren’t new moms supposed to be happy now that the baby’s finally here?

My Story My name is Jodi Kluchar. I live in Ohio and I have been married to my husband, Matt for 12 years, and I have two wonderful children, ages 6 and 8. I am currently a volunteer support group coordinator of our local chapter of Postpartum Support International. Postpartum Support International is a non-profit organization, founded in 1987, to educate and support women suffering from postpartum mood disorders. Here is my story… It was Thursday morning, September 23rd, 1999. After a sleepless night, I got up around 7:00a.m. I was hit with a contraction that stopped me in my