Elevator Speech

Emily didn't mean to kill her baby, but she couldn't help it. It was out of her control and some might even argue it wasn't her fault. Still, it came as a shock. How could something like this have happened when she wanted nothing more than to be a mother? How could she have possibly lost interest in her child, so quickly and how, after birthing her child, could she have gained any sort of detachment towards it? What sounds like a horror story straight from a TV series like House MD, is a complete and total possibility in real life. Stories like Emily's do exist and between 5-25% of American woman are at risk for this worst case scenario. It's called Postpartum Depression, something that leading researchers think may be due to the sudden hormone crash experienced within twenty four hours from giving birth. (While giving birth, women experience extreme spikes of hormones and an adrenaline rush to help them through the process.) But this hasn't been confirmed. Even experts aren't entirely sure what causes PPD, however, they are aware of what can increase a woman's chances of developing it.

The first and main factor is if she develops 'normal' depression during her pregnancy. Continuing from there on, history of depression or mental illness either personally or in the family, a lack of support from friends and family, anxiety, negative feelings about the pregnancy, previous problematic pregnancies, marriage problems, financial problems, being a young mother, drug or alcohol abuse and stress in general can all increase the odds of depression in a mother-to-be. Once a mother-to-be has already developed depression, she increases her chances of getting PPD. An estimated 40% of PPD related deaths occur withing the first few days following the child's birth. General symptoms of PPD include harmful thoughts revolving the baby or the mother herself and simply not having any interest in the child.


A further, more serious version of PPD has further symptoms, including hallucinations and rapid mood swings and trying to act out on the thoughts and desires to hurt the baby. I don't know much about this PP Pyschosis however, since it seems to be affiliated with women already with mental disorders, it seems like these women should especially seek out treatment.

·      Bibliography
David B. , Merrill. "Depression - postpartum; Postnatal depression." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Pub Med Health, 02 Sep 2010. Web. 30 Mar 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004481/>.

·      Unknown. "Depression During and After Pregnancy." the Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. Women's Health, 06 Mar 2009. Web. 30 Mar 2011. <http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/depression-pregnancy.cfm>.

·      Phend, Crystal. "Postpartum Depression Affects Dads Too Condition Can Affect Parenting, Researchers Say." ABC News (2011): n. pag. Web. 30 Mar 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/postpartum-depression-affects-dads/story?id=13132665>.