I have – after my first child was born. It’s called postpartum depression (but I didn’t know that then). After I had been home with my baby for almost two months I happened to turn on a TV program called “What Every Baby Knows” hosted by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a well known pediatrician in Boston.
Dr. Brazelton was showing his audience of moms and infants how to read cues . I was so delighted with seeing my baby try to catch my eye, then wait for my response, that the terrible apathy of depression lifted slightly.
Untreated depression leads to more depression. The combination of psychotherapy and
antidepressant medication has been shown to shorten episodes and hasten recovery (http://depression.com.au). Depression screenings – before and after the birth of your baby – are available today. Unfortunately, it was not until I was pregnant with my third child that I asked my obstetrician about a safe antidepressant to take during pregnancy. I was as grateful for that medication as a thirsty person is for water.
I work at Help Me Grow because I love babies; I love moms. I love the pair they make and the way they learn to enjoy each other. I have no illusions about how difficult mothering can be, especially when in the terrible grip of postpartum depression. Help Me Grow strengthens these relationships, eases the way for moms and brings out the funny, joyful ways of being that they hope for and deserve.
Robin Lindsay is a Child Development Specialist with Help Me Grow Utah. She was one of the first certified practitioners in the state of Utah and has worked and lived throughout the US and in Germany. She loves to educate parents and caregivers about child development and the importance of play. In her spare time Robin enjoys sewing, reading, traveling, fashion and rock climbing. She and her husband Byron have six grandchildren.
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