Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to my blog. I am glad that you are here.

I am a mom who has experienced Postpartum Depression/Postpartum Mood Disorder/Perinatal Mental Illness. I now advocate for awareness of, support, and stigma removal.

I entitled my blog "It Takes A Village" in reference to the African proverb that is so commonly known. I feel very strongly that we as a society have set very high standards and expectations of new mothers to take care of their children on their own, without support or help after the first week or so.

I think we have it backwards: New Mom's need respite and support whether they are well or not. We need support and encouragement, and someone to relieve us so that we can get some sleep and time to rejuvienate.


My aim with this blog is to bring awareness to the world, and support to other Moms (and Dads) that are going through this experience. I am passionate about reducing stigma as it creates the barrier that keeps women silent and suffering. I want Moms to feel safe enough to share their story and get the support and help they need to get better.


I encourage you, if you believe you may be experiencing more than the "baby blues" to seek out help. You will not be judged or criticized. The goal of all list here on this blog are to support you and help you heal so that you may live the life you dreamed of with your child.


This blog is a work in progress, please check in often to see more updates and new information!


Monday, November 29, 2010

"You're not OK- I am not OK - and that is OK!!!"

A very wise man said this to me as we discussed the idea of me lowering my expectations of myself. It is a great perspective to have. It is OK not to be OK 100% of the time. We are human and have a right to our human flaws without recrimination.

What is perfect? I see only perfection in nature.

Mankind is not perfect, no matter how we try to be.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010



The birth of a new baby is a much-anticipated event but this life-changing experience can often lead to postpartum depression or a postpartum mood disorder in many women.  Newsweek April 2007

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Omega 3's for Boosting Mood, helping Depression

Omega 3's for Boosting Mood

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200301/omega-3s-boosting-mood

Excerpt:

"British scientists gave a group of patients with stubborn depression a daily dose of EPA. After three months, over two thirds of the group reported a 50% reduction in their symptoms—particularly feelings of sadness and pessimism, inability to work, sleeplessness and low libido. All of the patients had previously tried other medications, including Prozac, other SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants, the researchers reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry."This is one of the largest potential associations of a nutrient with depression," says Joseph Hibbeln, M.D., a psychiatrist at the National Institutes of Health who has pioneered research into the diet-depression link. "The important issue in this study is that the omega-3 worked above and beyond the antidepressants."


Healthy brains and nerve cells depend on omega-3s because the nervous system is made mostly of fat. The signals that travel through our flesh—feelings, thoughts, commands to our bodies—skip along cells and their arms sheathed in fat.

But not just any fat. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are one of the basic building blocks of the brain. Brain cell membranes are about 20 percent fatty acids and they seem to be crucial for keeping brain signals moving smoothly. Doctors call this class of fat "essential" because, unlike many nutrients, our bodies cannot produce it. We can get it only from very specific parts of our diets.

Found in seafood, also in walnuts, leafy greens and flaxseed, omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats that also protect against cancer and promote cardiovascular health. They may explain why heart disease and depression often occur together.