Postpartum Depression

Dr. Shoshana Bennett  |  Course 2 Summary

New Mommy Moods

Myths, Fantasies, Expectations & Perinatal Mental Health

This summary covers the key concepts from all sections of Course 2 — Myths & Fantasies through Perinatal Emotional Reactions. Use it as a reference guide to revisit important topics or review before supporting a new mother.

Impact of Myths and Expectations

• •Unrealistic expectations can lead to disappointment, frustration, and emotional struggles
• •Addressing myths is crucial for improving mental health and well-being during pregnancy and parenthood
• •Professionals help clients identify and challenge internalized “truths” and rigid beliefs

Common Myths — All False

Breastfeeding Myths

• •Myth: Breastfeeding should be easy — Reality: it often requires support, education, and a lactation consultant
• •Myth: Only breastfeeding moms are good moms — Reality: a good mother ensures her baby is fed by whatever method works
• •Myth: Breastfeeding prevents PPD — Reality: it does not

Damaging Self-Imposed Myths

• •“A good mom can keep her baby from crying” — a mother’s worth is not connected to her baby’s behavior
• •“This should be the happiest time of my life” — the postpartum period is more like “boot camp”; happiness often comes later
• •“My tummy should be flat after six weeks” — postpartum bodies change naturally and permanently in healthy ways
• •“A mother’s needs don’t matter” — self-care is an investment in the family’s happiness, not selfishness
• •“Loving your child means never needing breaks” — regular breaks are necessary for avoiding burnout
• •“A mother should do it all herself” — parenting requires a support network; asking for help is a sign of strength

Common Parenting Myths

• •“Taking care of an infant doesn’t count as work” — caregiving is one of the hardest, most exhausting jobs
• •“A baby will bring us closer as a couple” — a newborn often amplifies existing relationship issues
• •“The partner is only there to support the birth mom” — partners are full parents who also need support and self-care
• •“The partner’s needs don’t matter” — both parents’ well-being is essential for a healthy family dynamic

Partner Role — Key Points

• •Never refer to a partner as “helping” or a “babysitter” — both parents are equal caregivers
• •Both partners need regularly scheduled time to recharge — hobbies, exercise, socialising
• •Use a shared family calendar to allocate self-care time fairly and avoid scorekeeping
• •Pre-baby couples therapy is recommended to address unresolved conflicts before the stress of parenting begins

Why Intimacy Matters

• •Sex has physical benefits — hormonal regulation and uterine recovery through orgasms
• •Emotional closeness alleviates anxiety, depression, and fear of losing the romantic connection
• •Waiting for the “perfect moment” often leads to prolonged disconnection — don’t wait for libido to return

Rebuilding Physical & Emotional Closeness

• •Start slow — kissing, non-penetrative touch, and affectionate closeness rebuild connection
• •Schedule intimacy — a weekly or bi-weekly schedule creates anticipation, not pressure
• •Small daily gestures — a touch, a compliment, “What can I do for you today?” — build intimacy continuously
• •Prioritize greeting your partner first when they arrive home, before the children
• •Address body image concerns through open communication and positive reinforcement

Eating for Mood Regulation

• •Eat every 3 hours — set alarms; depression and anxiety suppress hunger cues
• •Proteins: meat, fish, poultry, eggs — stabilise blood sugar; small portions are fine
• •Complex carbohydrates: rice, potatoes, quinoa, vegetables — aids tryptophan absorption → serotonin
• •Drink water every 3 hours — dehydration worsens anxiety and can trigger panic attacks
• •Avoid rigid dietary rules — gradual positive changes are sustainable and less stressful

Key Supplements (advise clients to consult their OB/midwife)

Body Image Postpartum

• •Screen for eating disorder history and body image concerns at intake
• •The myth of “snapping back” is harmful and unrealistic — postpartum bodies need time
• •Encourage positive self-statements: “I grew a person, and my body will take the time it needs to recover.”
• •Rigid, punitive thinking about diet and exercise worsens anxiety and depression

Why Sleep Is Non-Negotiable

• •Chronic sleep deprivation depletes serotonin — the key brain chemical for mood regulation
• •Minimum: 5 hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep — fragmented sleep (2 hrs + 3 hrs) does not provide the same restorative benefit
• •Nighttime sleep cannot be replaced by daytime naps; long naps worsen biorhythm disruption

Sleep Strategies — 6 Key Parts

• •Exercise releases endorphins and improves mood — but overexertion early postpartum worsens anxiety via lactic acid buildup
• •Start gradually — even walking to the mailbox counts as progress worth celebrating
• •Choose activities the client genuinely enjoys, not what is expected by others
• •Mild to moderate exercise is the target — avoid strenuous workouts while sleep-deprived
• •Avoid late-night exercise — it revs the nervous system and disrupts already fragile sleep
• •If sleep is a problem, address sleep first before increasing exercise intensity
• •Reframe the goal: progress over perfection — avoid comparing current abilities to pre-pregnancy fitness

Building the Right Support Network

• •Don’t assume family members will be the best emotional support — reflect on who truly offers encouragement without judgment
• •Set boundaries proactively and compassionately: “We’d love to have you visit, likely about a month after we bring the baby home.”
• •Match helpers to roles based on their strengths — practical tasks vs. emotional support
• •New parents are not responsible for others’ emotional reactions to these boundaries

Preserving Individual Identity

• •Both partners should retain key activities and values from before parenthood
• •Ignoring one’s highest values can lead to feelings of being “off track” and contribute to depression
• •Aim for harmony over rigid “balance” — across the week, all core values receive some attention

Creating a Physical Support Plan

• •Before the baby arrives, create a comprehensive task list: meals, cleaning, laundry, errands, older-child care
• •Assign roles in advance — adjust as needed (Plan A → Plan B → Plan C)
• •Hire postpartum doulas, night nurses, or cleaners early — their schedules fill up quickly
• •Explore community and religious organisations that run meal trains or errand support for new parents

Overcoming Resistance to Help

• •The myth of doing it all alone is harmful — asking for help conserves energy for the most important priorities
• •Accepting help is a win-win-win: the child gets stimulation, the helper feels fulfilled, the parent gets rest
• •Practice saying “Yes, thank you” — role-play if needed to build comfort
• •Redirect offers to the most useful task: “It would actually help more if you could bring a meal.”
• •Be specific when asking for help — people want to assist but often don’t know how

Baby Blues vs. PPD vs. Postpartum Anxiety

Key Risk Factors

• •Personal or family history of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or substance abuse
• •Past trauma — especially layered or compounded trauma
• •Teen mothers — absent partners, isolation, limited support
• •Mothers of multiples — increased physical demands, often linked to fertility treatments
• •History of perinatal loss — societal pressure to “only feel joy” suppresses real symptoms

5 Key Screening Questions

• •“Are you able to sleep when your baby sleeps at night?”
• •“How is your appetite?”
• •“Do you feel supported emotionally and physically?”
• •“Do you generally feel like yourself now?”
• •“Are you having any scary or unusual thoughts?”