Postpartum Depression Strikes Fathers Too

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Good article, including different effects on the children they found depending

upon which parent was depressed.

 

Thanks to Pauline Nardella Owner at Birthing Wisdom, for sharing this on

linkedin, at the Birthing Community/ Doula's Birth/ PostPartum... discussion

board. The effects of postpartum depression in men can be every bit as

disruptive as occurs with women. Read more at The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/health/08mind.html

 

My response also to the post there: Although it can be very disruptive also on

a family for fathers, the impact of ppd/ppmds on a woman are many times more an

issue. Ayurvedic understanding shows how the impact of choices in the first 42

days lasts for the next " 42 years " . (add another 10 days or more after C-births,

which is over 30% of the population now of birthing mothers!) .

 

This is because in the mother-body, all tissues and systems are in transition.

The digestive and transformative fires have shut down with birth or surgery, and

she has many weeks of " invisible " work beyond what any father has to do.

 

It is timelined very much based on the conditions in the layers of

transformative enzymes not just food in stomach, and further breakdown into

nutritive chyle in the liver that is then circulated for all the tissues. The

sequence of digestion from food to subtlest product of digestion is at least 42

days after birth (for the rest of us, that may be as short as 32 with most

foods.

 

This is about how long it takes for all tissue-enzymes doing their sequential

work from plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and nerve, to healthy

functioning reproductive tissues rejuvenating properly. Then the subtlest

product Ayurveda calls ojas, flows in the body for maximum immune strength,

vitality, glow and rejuvenative power.

 

Without this kind of understanding, it is natural to talk around in circles in a

way that really doesn't make so much difference, my friends.

 

So of course, fathers need attention too. About 18 years ago I heard there was

research that reported, 40% of divorcing men said the beginning of the breakup

of their marriage was the postpartum time. WHat I find they benefit most from is

education, insight and knowledge about the nature of the postpartum window, and

how to best support the process. It is scary for them not realizing there is a

particularly vulnerable time window, which will pass, and the choices in this

time can make a big difference on her ability to not only live in good health

and ability to mother, but also to partner most naturally and well. We use a 3

page handout just for the fathers which helps a lot, and is included in the

training unit called Ayurvedic Foundations of Postpartum Care and Cooking Unit

chapter on Keys.

 

So yes, there is a specific system I've been blessed to be trained and work in

for many years which - well, with my most recent client who was depressed with

catastrophic fears for her baby, turned around from the catastrophic thinking in

three days care (2 hours daily plus recommended changes in diet, herbals and

essential oils) and with 5 days treatment, was progressing very well. She felt

grounded, looked great, digesting better, sleeping better, was even loosing some

unwanted fat though eating more overall including fats and sweets - a common

benefit. I see partners changing their perspective very quickly when they

understand a little of this, and are given guidance how to best support this

sacred process.

 

Warm Regards,

 

Ysha Oakes, Diplomate Ayurvedic Health Science

Postpartum AyurDoula 16 years

www.sacredwindow.com

By Ysha Oakes Owner at Sacred Window Ayurveda for Mothers and Children

 

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