Valuable Websites for Mothers

Understand that these sites are for informational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat ~ please also consult your health care practitioner or specialist for that much more support and guidance.

Maternal Mental Health Strategy: Building Capacity in Saskatchewan
The Maternal Mental Health Strategy: Building Capacity in Saskatchewan project is improving awareness, developing support services, and will make policy recommendations for women who suffer from depression during pregnancy and postpartum.  The website has supports available in each region of Saskatchewan, as well as a screening tool to determine if you are depressed or not - during pregnancy and after baby.  There are also tips on how to take care of YOU!
  

Canadian Psychological Association
The website refers to what postpartum depression is; what causes postpartum depression and what are the risk factors; what is the impact of postpartum depression, and how Psychologists can help.

   
Canadian Mental Health Association
This site promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. This page goes on to explain postpartum depression as well as providing coping mechanisms and where to go for more information.

First-ever Midwife in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health District - DEBBIE VEY
She is a UK midwife who has been working out of the Women’s Health Center, at the All Nations' Healing Hospital in Fort Qu'Appelle for a while now.  The new thing is that she has hospital privileges.  You can contact Deb by calling 306-332-2673 at her clinic, or by email at Debbie.Vey@rqhealth.ca.

Home of the Pacific Post Partum Support Society (PPPSS)
A non-profit society based in Vancouver, B.C. dedicated to supporting the needs of distressed postpartum mothers and their families, with support groups and information on postpartum depression.

Best Start – Ontario’s maternal, newborn and early child development resource centre

Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) are real.  1 in 5 women will suffer from some degree of postpartum depression and other postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) after the birth of a baby.  There is help. They also have a video for parents that you can order from their website www.beststart.org. They are currently working on a manual on how care providers in a variety of different fields can help mothers create their own circle of support to help them get through postpartum (or prenatal) mood disorders. One of the physician’s on their advisory committee has also just released a new book for mothers: “Baby Brings the Blues."


A Breastfeeding-Friendly Approach to Depression in New Mothers
A curriculum and resource guide for health care providers created by the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force - www.NHBreastfeedingTaskForce.org.

Saskatchewan Drug Information Services (SDIS)
SDIS health professional and consumer services provide information on several aspects of drug therapy including: adverse reactions/side effects, compounding problems, contraindications/precautions, drug availability (new, investigational, special access), drug compatibility/stability, drug dosages/administration, drug identification (Canadian, foreign), drug use in pregnancy and lactation, drugs of choice, pharmacology and therapeutic indications.

MOTHERISK: Treating the Mother - Protecting the Unborn
When it comes to questions about what may or may not be safe for their baby, women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding turn to Motherisk - Canada's expert on the safety of medications, products and everyday exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Melanie's Battle:  The Hidden Plague of Postpartum Psychosis and Depression
Melanie's Battle is a website devoted to raising awareness of postpartum psychosis and depression.  Our hope is those who are suffering from these afflictions will be able to find the understanding and help they need to win their own battles.  Carol Blocker, Melanie's Mother...did it!  There is a new legislation to help postpartum women and families, please click here to learn more!

Families Matter
At Families Matter, we create learning opportunities for families.  You will learn and practice new skills, tap into resources, and develop new ideas about what’s possible.  You’ll expand your community and gain access to people with similar backgrounds and life experiences.  The continue to strive to aid as many families in need of assistance as possible. We have written a manual, "Postpartum Support Model 2009: A Guide for Organizers and Facilitators" which we hope will assist our colleagues in starting, continuing, or just giving food for thought regarding postpartum difficulties.

Willow Tree Counselling
I founded Willow Tree Counselling after over a decade of work in public practice. At my Downtown Vancouver therapy office, I welcome clients with diverse backgrounds and needs. Gender, sexual orientation, race, age, religion, relationship status and family situation are never barriers to working with me.  Megan also specializes in Postpartum Mood Disorders and has suggested readings on her site particular to this experience.

Our Sisters' Place
Our Sisters' Place is a program of the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario that provides support to women who are dealing with problems related both to mood and to hormonal changes, throughout the life cycle. This includes feelings like depression, anxiety, and psychosis, and events like puberty, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, menopause, and post menopause.

Postpartum Support International
You are not alone.  You are not to blame.  We are here to help.  PSI is built on the foundation of providing support to families. If you or someone you know might be experiencing symptoms of prenatal or postpartum mood or anxiety disorder, know that it is treatable and you’ve taken a very important first step. We have PSI Coordinators throughout the world who provide information and support. There is someone in your area who can help you if you are experiencing any of the following: depressed, irritable, exhausted, unlike yourself, sadness, anger, guilt, worry, feelings of inadequacy.  Considering also visiting  postpartum.net/info-sessions  for a weekly informational phone forum for Dads.

Postpartum Progress
Katherine Stone suffered postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder with the birth of her son in 2001. She is now an advocate for women with postpartum mood disorders, primarily through her blog Postpartum Progress, the most widely-read blog in the United States on these illnesses, which include postpartum depression, postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis.

Evolution Mom
A person almost feels a little naughty reading the captivating, vulnerable, insightful and funny journal entries of what could be written by your best friend.  The self-deprecating humor provides a soft cushion against the raw vulnerability of a new mom lost.  A perfect way to detail the "un-perfect" journey! 

Kelly Nordstrom + serious postpartum mood disorders = one funny, touching and informative book.  Kelly tells her story with brutal honesty and brash raw humor but without downplaying the suffering of postpartum mood disorders or the dangers they can pose.   First-person stories of severe postpartum mood disorders are as unique as the women who have them.   And I would not call Kelly’s experience “typical.”  But it is a story that will resonate with many women who have “been there” and entertain (and educate) those who have not.   I applaud Kelly for her bravery in making her story available to others  - for hope, for healing, for understanding, and above all, for laughter. 
- Teresa M. Twomey
Author, Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: A Temporary Madness
Postpartum Support International Co-coordinator for Connecticut

Mommies Cry Too
This is a peer-to-peer website created for and by postpartum sufferers and survivors. We are here as a supplement to whatever you're doing to take care of yourself, be it medication, meditation, psychotherapy, exercise and nutrition, aromatherapy, or electroshock therapy. We are here to support you through your challenging journey and celebrate with you when you are healed. There are no experts here and if you happen to be one, then please leave your title at the door and join us as a peer. While you are the only one living your unique journey through your own experience with PPD, psychosis or PPDOCD you are not alone.

beyondblue: The National Depression Initiative
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related substance misuse disorders in Australia.

Beyond Postpartum ~ A journey through Postpartum Depression and Anxiety and beyond.
This blog serves to share personal experience in dealing with Perinatal Mood Disorders as well as providing research and information related to pregnancy and the postpartum period. PMDs are the most common complication of childbirth and are experienced by 1 of every 8 women who give birth (and by some fathers and adoptive parents, as well). Expectant mothers should be treated with care and respect and realistic expectations of life after having a new baby should be encouraged in families.

MedEd PPD Postpartum Depression Resource 
A website developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide education about Postpartum Depression (PPD). This part of the site, Mothers and Others, contains information for women with PPD and their friends and families.

The Center for Postpartum Health
The Center for Postpartum Health addresses the physical, mental, and emotional needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their families, facilitating the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.  ASSESSMENT and PREVENTION are key. The earlier the treatment and intervention, the less risk of onset or relapse of postnatal difficulties.

Dr. Shosh ~ Finding and Keeping Joy!
You’re not alone. There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed—postpartum depression and anxiety happens to over 500,000 women every year in the United States alone. One in seven new mothers will experience something more severe than the normal Baby Blues. We will help you become the best mother and person you can be. You will recover!

Elaine Hanzak
Elaine Hanzak is an inspirational speaker on puerperal psychosis (the most severe form of “postnatal depression”). Through her experiences, Elaine advises and speaks to health professionals, mothers and family support groups plus at corporate events.

Self-care Program for Women with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
This manual was created to meet the need of both women with postpartum depression and the health care providers who treat these women and their families. Our goals were to 1.) educate about the causes, presentation and different treatments of postpartum depression, and 2.) provide structured exercises to help women become active participants in their own treatment and recovery - http://www.bcwomens.ca.

Postpartum Experience
Of course there are many experiences that women have after having a baby, not just one. In fact, there is a whole spectrum. My name is Teresa Twomey. I am working on a book which will be a compilation of stories across the spectrum - from the "ideal" postpartum experience all the way through to infanticide. I want to share actual first-hand accounts that tell the true story of what it is like to have "baby blues," postpartum depression, severe postpartum depression, postpartum OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), postpartum anxiety, postpartum PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), postpartum bipolar 2, and postpartum psychosis.  You can, now, purchase her book, "Understanding Postpartum Psychosis" on www.amazon.com!  Also, this is just one of the many interviews she's done to bring the awareness surrounding Postpartum Depression and especially Psychosis - please click here!

I'm listening by Jane Honikman
The purpose of this website is to provide visitors with immediate: comfort, guidance, and encouragement.  At this website, you'll learn that: you are not alone; you are not to blame, and you will feel like yourself again.  You will read about "The Steps to Wellness" and create your own plan of action. You will feel empowered and supported.

Dunstan Baby Language Intensive Classes
Christine Gatzke is Canada's exclusive Certified Dunstan Baby Language Educator, and is providing classes to new and/or expecting parents; a ground-breaking system that is designed for parents to learn the 5 different and universal cries that babies make that correlate to their 5 biological needs.  Babies will cry less and settle faster as parents learn the sounds for hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind pain and discomfort.  This system was featured on Oprah, and has 10 years of cross-cultural research and is recommended by 9 out of 10 mothers.

Doulas of Regina

Our mission is to support families through birth and beyond.  We invite families to browse our site and consider choosing a doula who suits their current and future needs.  Our doulas can provide support in the prenatal, labour, and postnatal periods.  Each of us has a unique practice with variable experience in providing care to families.  Our organization is non-profit, although we occasionally will hold fundraising efforts in order to cover costs of group training, resources, and to pay for attending events to promote doula care in Regina.


depressionafterdelivery.com

Placenta Benefits.info ~ Mother Nature, for Mothers
Postpartum depression is a serious condition that is a real concern to many expectant women. Studies are finally being done to discover its roots, but it has not even been considered a valid psychological condition until just recently. As a result, there is much to learn about its causes and any potential cures.  I believe that Mother Nature has already provided women with exactly what we need to begin our journey into motherhood healthy, happy and vibrant. Through the ages that knowledge was lost. It is time now to set aside our societal prejudice, and embrace the placenta for what it truly is - a path to wellness.  ~ Jodi Selander

DrugWatch
DrugWatch.com is a comprehensive Web site featuring extensive information about medications, drug interactions, and side effects to aid in the protection of patients and consumers. The most recent drug alert is from side effects of Accutane, where patients who have or are taking this drug continue to complain of adverse reactions, prompting an Accutane Class Action. Common side-effects reported include severe depression, suicidal thoughts, miscarriage, birth defects, IBS and Ulcerative Colitis. Additional information may be found on DrugWatch.com.



Research on fathers and Postpartum Depression
Dr. Letourneau and Esther Shoemaker's current research project is on fathers and postpartum depression.  They are researchers affiliated with Carleton University, University of Toronto, University of New Brunswick, University of Alberta, and University of Calgary.  They are currently conducting telephone interviews with fathers of partners who have experienced postpartum depression within the last five years.  We have received ethical approval from all of the institutions involved and the research is funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research.  They are trying to understand fathers’ experiences when their partners have postpartum depression as well as fathers’ support needs, resources, barriers to accessing support, and support preferences.  We want to find out  how to help men whose partners are experiencing or have experienced symptoms of postpartum depression and how to promote fathers’ and mothers’ mental health.  During the hour and a half telephone interview, participants will be asked to describe their experiences related to their partners’ postpartum depression. In addition, participants will be asked to complete a number of questionnaires related to demographic information, depression, marital quality, and social support.  The results of this study will enable program planners to develop and test an intervention for fathers which will enable them to better support their wives as they experience postpartum depression.  Thank you so very much for considering!