Resources
Hotline
NorthShore University HealthSystem is a 24/7 hotline for women and their families who are experiencing emotional distress related to pregnancy or the postpartum period. Their professional staff will listen to your concerns, answer questions, and provide referrals to therapists and psychiatrists, 1-866-364-MOMS
Websites
Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois
Postpartum Support International
A supportive community also exists on Twitter. Search for #ppdchat to connect with other moms and resources.
Video
In this video by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, Dr. Katherine Wisner, internationally-recognized perinatal mood disorders expert and past president of The Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health, discusses the distinction between ‘Baby Blues’ and Postpartum Depression.
Books/articles
Conquering Postpartum Depression: A Proven Plan for Recovery by Ronald Rosenberg, James Windell, and Deborah Greening
Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields
Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts by Karen Kleiman and Amy Wenzel
Happy Endings, New Beginnings: Navigating Postpartum Disorders by Susan Benjamin Feingold, PsyD
Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Linda Sebastian
Perfect Mothers Get Depressed by Kimberly Thompson, Ph.D.*
Postpartum Survival Guide by Ann Dunnewold, Ph.D., and Diane G. Sanford, Ph.D.
Therapy and the Postpartum Woman: Notes on Healing Postpartum Depression for Clinicians and the Women Who Seek their Help by Karen Kleiman, M.S.W.
The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for Living with Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman, M.S.W.
This Isn’t What I Expected by Karen Kleiman, M.S.W., and Valerie D. Raskin, M.D.
Could Yoga Lessen Postpartum Depression? from Brown University news online
The following are articles that we like and that we offer to women in our groups:
1. A Simple Breathing Exercise to Calm Your Mind & Body
2. An Introduction to BBB for our Members’ Partners
For partners to read before the couples’ session or to better understand what happens in BBB groups.
3. Becoming the Boss of Your Mood
Various strategies to help you cope with anxiety and depression.
Advises new parents to worry less about being judged.
A really helpful article with numerous strategies for decreasing anxiety, obsessive thoughts and a sense of doom.
6. Exercise as a Treatment for Depression in New Mothers
This article also presents research on exercise being as effective as medication in the treatment of depression.
Factors contributing to the development of perinatal mood challenges.
8. Father’s Postpartum Depression
Describes the symptoms and gives the incidence of this newly understood condition.
9. Fathers and Depression after the Birth of Their Baby
A discussion of how new parenthood affects men and why treatment is so essential.
New Articles
How you will know when you are getting better and not to panic over setbacks.
An amusing look at how society imposes a new identity on women who become mothers.
Perinatal Mood Disorder Fact Sheet from Postpartum Support International
Facts and statistics about Perinatal Mood Disorders.
How Other Cultures Prevent Postpartum Depression
Discusses social supports in place for new mothers in other societies.
The Only Baby Book You'll Ever Need
A reassuring look at the truth that there's more than one right way to raise a child.
Getting the most out of your walk in a short period of time.
Tips on how to motivate yourself to walk.
What Postpartum Moms Really Need
How poorly American culture supports new mothers during this enormous transition.
What 5 Ways to Stop Worrying About What Everyone Thinks of You
*Praeclarus Press
About
These resources are suggestions only. We are not promoting any one resource or claim to know the full details of these sources as they may change.