Postpartum Depression
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Alternative & Adjunctive Therapies for PPD and Baby Blues:

The difference between alternative and adjunctive therapies is that alternatives are techniques and modalities which have yet to be proven to work in people in general by scientifically controlled clinical research trials, but which many people have testified work for them. Adjunctive therapies are approaches which have been shown by clinical research to improve prevention and treatment outcomes, but which are often recommended in addition to pharmacologic therapy. In the approach to most therapies my best recommendation is to search until you find what works best for you, alone and in combination. You will hear and read a lot of information about "alternatives" to most conventional therapies- remember they all have risks as well as benefits. These may be synergistic with or counterproductive to your other medical treatments, so consult your physician. For example, if you are taking an herbal preparation to self medicate your depressive symptoms, let your doctor know. This can be harmful if taken along with prescription anti-depressants, for example.

There has not been a lot of research on alternative therapies or vitamin supplements in PPD. It stands to reason, however, that the healthier you are in general, the better you will be able to recuperate from any illness. All nursing mothers should continue taking their prenatal vitamins, however in addition to calcium supplementation to a total of 1500 mg/day. There is some research in PMS and in depression not associated with the postpartum period that adequate calcium intake may reduce symptoms. Unless your doctor has instructed you not to take calcium for some reasons (e.g. kidney stones), this can only help. Simple strategies such as resting with elevated feet or assuring adequate water intake (8 oz per hour while awake if nursing!) can also increase a sense of well being in women feeling fatigued and physically stressed, especially if she is also anemic, which is also very common in the postpartum period. Mild exercise may also be helpful. For a postpartum woman, this may be as simple as putting the baby in the stroller and walking around the corner.