Once postpartum depression is diagnosed in a new mother, she and the doctor will consider options based on whether she is breastfeeding. Antidepressants are generally considered safe for nursing mothers, but hormone replacement therapy is not recommended while nursing. New mothers suffering from postpartum depression often have difficulty with breastfeeding, but researchers at the University of Florida say that if breastfeeding is continued, it often offers therapeutic effects for the mother and her child.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are the first medications prescribed to new mothers because these drugs put breastfeeding babies at little risk, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Adapin, Endep, Pamelor or Tofranil, and SSRIs, such as Celexa, Lexarpo, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft, are all considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Of these, Zoloft is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant because it has relatively few side effects. HelpGuide.org recommends that antidepressants be combined with psychotherapy or counseling so new mothers can stabilize their moods while they work through their thoughts and feelings about motherhood.
Hormone Therapy
Once a woman gives birth, her progesterone levels drop dramatically. This sudden shift in hormone levels causes the symptoms of postpartum depression. Progesterone replacement therapy may be delivered in tablets or injections, and estrogen replacement therapy is usually delivered in tablets, shots, or through patches put on the skin. A blood test ordered by your doctor will determine whether you need progesterone or estrogen replacement. HelpGuide.org recommends combining hormone replacement therapy with an antidepressant for maximum help.
Antipsychotic Medications and Mood Stabilizers
Severe postpartum depression that develops a psychotic aspect must be treated immediately to ensure the safety of the new mother and her child. The Mayo Clinic states that a combination of drugs is usually prescribed to relieve acute psychotic postpartum depression. In addition to the antidepressants mentioned above, antipsychotic medications and mood stabilizers, such as lithium, might be prescribed. Postpartum depression accompanied by psychosis develops suddenly, usually within the first two weeks after delivery, according to HelpGuide.org, and it is a serious medical emergency. Once the psychotic symptoms are under control, a woman may switch to other types of drugs for ongoing treatment.
Alternative Therapies
In addition to prescription drugs, a woman and her doctor may consider alternative therapies to treat postpartum depression. The Mayo Clinic mentions acupuncture, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, massage therapy, and St. John's Wort as alternative therapies to combine with prescription drug treatments. In addition, researchers have found that anemia in new mothers contributes to postpartum depression, according to a 2005 article published in the Journal of Nutritional Epidemiology. Iron supplements may be prescribed to relieve symptoms of anemia.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Postpartum Depression Treatment and Drugs
- HelpGuide.org: Postpartum Depression
- The University of Florida: Postpartum Depression
- Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia Affects Postpartum Emotions and Cognition. Journal of Nutritional Epidemiology 135(2): 267-272.
