Breastfeeding and Anxiety

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Thank you for all of the support last week when I wrote about finally making the call to a therapist for help in dealing with my anxiety. It was a really tough call to make, but I know it was the right call. I think the right calls are usually the tough ones, you know?

I made a similar call in August when my dad died and I was met with a less than helpful answer. I was crushed. I felt like I was being told to choose between Emma or my mental health.

I’m talking about that experience today on Postpartum Progress as my first post as a contributing writer on the Warrior Mom Leadership Team.

My father passed away in August. As I waited for news about his arrangements, I felt the pangs of anxiety building. Knowing that I have a history of anxiety, I called the only doctor I’ve seen in 2 years–my obstetrician.

I explained to the receptionist what I was going through and that I knew I needed to get in with someone, a therapist, for treatment, but that I didn’t know where to start and the wait time would likely be too great to treat my immediate needs. I asked if they could they prescribe something to help. The nurse practitioner called me back that afternoon.

“Are you breastfeeding?”
“Yes. A few times a day. My daughter is 16 months old.”
“There’s only one medication we can give you.”

Read the rest of “Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression: Treatment Options” at Postpartum Progress.