In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, sits down with Nurse Practitioner Emily, a women’s health specialist who recently experienced postpartum herself. They discuss one of the most important and often underdiscussed aspects of postpartum care: postpartum anxiety and depression (PPAD).
They cover how to recognize the difference between typical “baby blues” and more serious mental health concerns, strategies for prevention, treatment options (both holistic and medical), and how friends and family can provide support.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
💡 What Postpartum Anxiety & Depression Are
- Baby blues are common (up to 80% of women), but PPAD is more intense, persistent, and impacts daily function.
- Symptoms include persistent anxiety, ruminating thoughts, sadness beyond baseline, and difficulty caring for yourself or your baby.
🛡️ Prevention Strategies
- Start before birth: set expectations, establish support systems, plan postpartum logistics.
- Maintain nutrition, hydration, sleep, and supplementation (vitamins, omega-3s, iron, magnesium).
- Partner communication and clearly divided responsibilities.
⚕️ Treatment Options & Getting Help
- Lifestyle adjustments: diet, exercise, sleep, hydration, supplementation.
- Mental health support: therapy (CBT, DBT, couples therapy) and perinatal specialists.
- Medication: safe during pregnancy/postpartum if needed; do not abruptly stop without provider guidance.
- Hormone and thyroid testing, nutrient testing, and monitoring sleep patterns can all support recovery.
🌿 Holistic & Lifestyle Support
- Build a supportive postpartum “village” of family, friends, and accountability partners.
- Prepare for the unexpected (C-section, induction, birth complications).
- Nutrition, hydration, and scheduled self-care can mitigate symptoms.
- Awareness of hormone fluctuations postpartum and addressing deficiencies.
🤝 Supporting Others Postpartum
- Only approach those you have an intimate relationship with.
- Use compassionate, non-judgmental language: e.g., “I’ve noticed XYZ, I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
- Open the door to support without diagnosing; allow them space to seek help when ready.
Key Takeaways:
- PPAD is common but can be debilitating if left untreated.
- Prevention starts before birth with planning, support, and self-care.
- Treatment can include lifestyle changes, therapy, supplementation, and medication if needed.
- Friends and family play a critical role in support—but approach with empathy and discretion.
- A proactive approach, awareness, and testing (hormones, thyroid, vitamins) can help restore balance and well-being.
Resources & Next Steps:
If you or someone you love is experiencing postpartum anxiety or depression, Dr. Sarah and her team at Vera Health and Fertility can help you develop a personalized, holistic support plan.
📍 Westminster, Colorado
🌐 Schedule a consultation: verafertility.com
📧 Follow along: @verafertility on Instagram & TikTok
