Postpartum depression/ anxiety- who did you talk to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to see Dr. Nicole Paras at Washington Hospital Center (covered by insurance), but--idk--the environment wan't calming, reassuring or, ultimately, helpful (to me).

She basically just referred me to some therapists for talk therapy and wrote a script for Zoloft.

I saw her and feel the same way. Pushed hard on the antidepressants.

Because it’s the most effective thing. It’s not like you can change your situation unless you’re willing to give away your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Joan Liebermann in Forest Hills DC.

Dr. Liebermann is wonderful.

Couldn’t stand her. I saw her during my pregnancy and she spent most of the time telling me how hard and awful it’s going to be when the baby arrives. Lecturing me about the challenges of having a baby like I’m dumb. It turns out I’ve really enjoyed being a mom and didn’t experience any of the issues she had described. I’m not sure what I did or said to make her think I’m incompetent. I’m a normal married professional woman.

For example she told me over and over again how the baby has to eat every two hours. Yes, I get it. For what it’s worth, this was only the case for my baby for a week or two. It was hardly the ordeal she described. We dropped to one middle of the night feed with healthy weight gain during a short period of time.

At one point I told her I was concerned with my high blood pressure reading (for me) and she mentioned I should take in my blood pressure cuff to the doctor to show them the reading. I’d already mentioned to her that the reading was consistent with that of the doctor’s. But it’s like she jumped to conclusions that the doctor must think I don’t know how to take my blood pressure or doesn’t believe me.

She also kept stressing how I need to have “help.” Besides needing a cleaning lady, I’m not sure what help she is referring to. I had plenty of time off from work and didn’t find it to be a struggle. Millions of women have babies without hiring household staff.

Lastly, I told her my husband planned on staying home with the baby for a month after I went back to work at five months. Her response was asking me if I’m aware he has to be as competent of a caregiver as I am. NO SH$T. Again, insinuating I’m dumb and that I don’t realize I can’t leave my child with someone unable to care for him properly. Also, insulting to my husband that he is unable to take care of a baby.

These are just a few example of what she said. Almost every comment was unsupportive or negative.

I cringe when thinking about the fact I paid almost $1k to have someone hurt my confidence and make me doubt my ability to enjoy having a child. She made me enter the late stages of my pregnancy terrified there was something wrong with me and that having a baby would be awful.

Sorry for your experience. I will say that I don’t think it’s really a matter of competency (though it seems like you took it that way). I, too, am a smart, married, capable professional and I was absolutely shell-shocked with my first trying to figure out nursing and pumping and everything else to do with having a newborn. I felt ill-prepared despite my intelligence. I also felt like everyone (including me) had focused so much on the pregnancy that I had lost sight of the bigger picture. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point several months into being a new mom that I started talking to more experienced moms about my problems. Well, turns out, they had all had similar struggles, but had never shared like they had done with information about the pregnancy. So maybe she thought it would be useful to give you a heads-up in case you weren’t so lucky (like most new moms) and really struggled. Anyway, just a different perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Joan Liebermann in Forest Hills DC.

Dr. Liebermann is wonderful.

Couldn’t stand her. I saw her during my pregnancy and she spent most of the time telling me how hard and awful it’s going to be when the baby arrives. Lecturing me about the challenges of having a baby like I’m dumb. It turns out I’ve really enjoyed being a mom and didn’t experience any of the issues she had described. I’m not sure what I did or said to make her think I’m incompetent. I’m a normal married professional woman.

For example she told me over and over again how the baby has to eat every two hours. Yes, I get it. For what it’s worth, this was only the case for my baby for a week or two. It was hardly the ordeal she described. We dropped to one middle of the night feed with healthy weight gain during a short period of time.

At one point I told her I was concerned with my high blood pressure reading (for me) and she mentioned I should take in my blood pressure cuff to the doctor to show them the reading. I’d already mentioned to her that the reading was consistent with that of the doctor’s. But it’s like she jumped to conclusions that the doctor must think I don’t know how to take my blood pressure or doesn’t believe me.

She also kept stressing how I need to have “help.” Besides needing a cleaning lady, I’m not sure what help she is referring to. I had plenty of time off from work and didn’t find it to be a struggle. Millions of women have babies without hiring household staff.

Lastly, I told her my husband planned on staying home with the baby for a month after I went back to work at five months. Her response was asking me if I’m aware he has to be as competent of a caregiver as I am. NO SH$T. Again, insinuating I’m dumb and that I don’t realize I can’t leave my child with someone unable to care for him properly. Also, insulting to my husband that he is unable to take care of a baby.

These are just a few example of what she said. Almost every comment was unsupportive or negative.

I cringe when thinking about the fact I paid almost $1k to have someone hurt my confidence and make me doubt my ability to enjoy having a child. She made me enter the late stages of my pregnancy terrified there was something wrong with me and that having a baby would be awful.

Sorry for your experience. I will say that I don’t think it’s really a matter of competency (though it seems like you took it that way). I, too, am a smart, married, capable professional and I was absolutely shell-shocked with my first trying to figure out nursing and pumping and everything else to do with having a newborn. I felt ill-prepared despite my intelligence. I also felt like everyone (including me) had focused so much on the pregnancy that I had lost sight of the bigger picture. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point several months into being a new mom that I started talking to more experienced moms about my problems. Well, turns out, they had all had similar struggles, but had never shared like they had done with information about the pregnancy. So maybe she thought it would be useful to give you a heads-up in case you weren’t so lucky (like most new moms) and really struggled. Anyway, just a different perspective.

PP here. My assumption was that she had counseled many women who had a very rough time and therefore subconsciously made the decision that I would too.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Barbara Byers in CC MD for meds and Kirsten Chadwick in Tenleytown for talk therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Joan Liebermann in Forest Hills DC.

Dr. Liebermann is wonderful.

Couldn’t stand her. I saw her during my pregnancy and she spent most of the time telling me how hard and awful it’s going to be when the baby arrives. Lecturing me about the challenges of having a baby like I’m dumb. It turns out I’ve really enjoyed being a mom and didn’t experience any of the issues she had described. I’m not sure what I did or said to make her think I’m incompetent. I’m a normal married professional woman.

For example she told me over and over again how the baby has to eat every two hours. Yes, I get it. For what it’s worth, this was only the case for my baby for a week or two. It was hardly the ordeal she described. We dropped to one middle of the night feed with healthy weight gain during a short period of time.

At one point I told her I was concerned with my high blood pressure reading (for me) and she mentioned I should take in my blood pressure cuff to the doctor to show them the reading. I’d already mentioned to her that the reading was consistent with that of the doctor’s. But it’s like she jumped to conclusions that the doctor must think I don’t know how to take my blood pressure or doesn’t believe me.

She also kept stressing how I need to have “help.” Besides needing a cleaning lady, I’m not sure what help she is referring to. I had plenty of time off from work and didn’t find it to be a struggle. Millions of women have babies without hiring household staff.

Lastly, I told her my husband planned on staying home with the baby for a month after I went back to work at five months. Her response was asking me if I’m aware he has to be as competent of a caregiver as I am. NO SH$T. Again, insinuating I’m dumb and that I don’t realize I can’t leave my child with someone unable to care for him properly. Also, insulting to my husband that he is unable to take care of a baby.

These are just a few example of what she said. Almost every comment was unsupportive or negative.

I cringe when thinking about the fact I paid almost $1k to have someone hurt my confidence and make me doubt my ability to enjoy having a child. She made me enter the late stages of my pregnancy terrified there was something wrong with me and that having a baby would be awful.

Sorry for your experience. I will say that I don’t think it’s really a matter of competency (though it seems like you took it that way). I, too, am a smart, married, capable professional and I was absolutely shell-shocked with my first trying to figure out nursing and pumping and everything else to do with having a newborn. I felt ill-prepared despite my intelligence. I also felt like everyone (including me) had focused so much on the pregnancy that I had lost sight of the bigger picture. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point several months into being a new mom that I started talking to more experienced moms about my problems. Well, turns out, they had all had similar struggles, but had never shared like they had done with information about the pregnancy. So maybe she thought it would be useful to give you a heads-up in case you weren’t so lucky (like most new moms) and really struggled. Anyway, just a different perspective.

PP here. My assumption was that she had counseled many women who had a very rough time and therefore subconsciously made the decision that I would too.

I think that’s a fair assumption based on the fact that she’s a psychiatrist and sees a lot of women for PPD and PPA. She may have jumped the gun a little, but I think her intentions were likely good and she probably meant well (though it didn’t leave you feeling great, which I can’t imagine was her goal). To the extent you’re still upset about your experience, thought I would offer another perspective from a mom who has been treated by Dr. Liebermann for awhile now and thinks she’s generally well-intentioned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Joan Liebermann in Forest Hills DC.

Dr. Liebermann is wonderful.

Couldn’t stand her. I saw her during my pregnancy and she spent most of the time telling me how hard and awful it’s going to be when the baby arrives. Lecturing me about the challenges of having a baby like I’m dumb. It turns out I’ve really enjoyed being a mom and didn’t experience any of the issues she had described. I’m not sure what I did or said to make her think I’m incompetent. I’m a normal married professional woman.

For example she told me over and over again how the baby has to eat every two hours. Yes, I get it. For what it’s worth, this was only the case for my baby for a week or two. It was hardly the ordeal she described. We dropped to one middle of the night feed with healthy weight gain during a short period of time.

At one point I told her I was concerned with my high blood pressure reading (for me) and she mentioned I should take in my blood pressure cuff to the doctor to show them the reading. I’d already mentioned to her that the reading was consistent with that of the doctor’s. But it’s like she jumped to conclusions that the doctor must think I don’t know how to take my blood pressure or doesn’t believe me.

She also kept stressing how I need to have “help.” Besides needing a cleaning lady, I’m not sure what help she is referring to. I had plenty of time off from work and didn’t find it to be a struggle. Millions of women have babies without hiring household staff.

Lastly, I told her my husband planned on staying home with the baby for a month after I went back to work at five months. Her response was asking me if I’m aware he has to be as competent of a caregiver as I am. NO SH$T. Again, insinuating I’m dumb and that I don’t realize I can’t leave my child with someone unable to care for him properly. Also, insulting to my husband that he is unable to take care of a baby.

These are just a few example of what she said. Almost every comment was unsupportive or negative.

I cringe when thinking about the fact I paid almost $1k to have someone hurt my confidence and make me doubt my ability to enjoy having a child. She made me enter the late stages of my pregnancy terrified there was something wrong with me and that having a baby would be awful.

Sorry for your experience. I will say that I don’t think it’s really a matter of competency (though it seems like you took it that way). I, too, am a smart, married, capable professional and I was absolutely shell-shocked with my first trying to figure out nursing and pumping and everything else to do with having a newborn. I felt ill-prepared despite my intelligence. I also felt like everyone (including me) had focused so much on the pregnancy that I had lost sight of the bigger picture. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point several months into being a new mom that I started talking to more experienced moms about my problems. Well, turns out, they had all had similar struggles, but had never shared like they had done with information about the pregnancy. So maybe she thought it would be useful to give you a heads-up in case you weren’t so lucky (like most new moms) and really struggled. Anyway, just a different perspective.

PP here. My assumption was that she had counseled many women who had a very rough time and therefore subconsciously made the decision that I would too.

I think that’s a fair assumption based on the fact that she’s a psychiatrist and sees a lot of women for PPD and PPA. She may have jumped the gun a little, but I think her intentions were likely good and she probably meant well (though it didn’t leave you feeling great, which I can’t imagine was her goal). To the extent you’re still upset about your experience, thought I would offer another perspective from a mom who has been treated by Dr. Liebermann for awhile now and thinks she’s generally well-intentioned.

Gotta chime in here as another intelligent, professional, highly successful woman who struggled mightily post partum. I was in so deep I didn’t even realize how bad it had gotten. Thank goodness my OB referred me to Dr. Liebermann. I thought she was phenomenal and I would recommend her to anyone without hesitation.

[Anonymous]

https://www.happyparentshappybabies.com

Emily Griffin is fabulous!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to see Dr. Nicole Paras at Washington Hospital Center (covered by insurance), but--idk--the environment wan't calming, reassuring or, ultimately, helpful (to me).

She basically just referred me to some therapists for talk therapy and wrote a script for Zoloft.

I saw her and feel the same way. Pushed hard on the antidepressants.

Because it’s the most effective thing. It’s not like you can change your situation unless you’re willing to give away your child.

Antidepressants are actually not effective for a lot of people. They can also cause a ton of unwanted side effects and can become impossible to get off of because your brain is literally addicted to them. It’s called discontinuation syndrome and it’s a big, big problem.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/health/antidepressants-withdrawal-prozac-cymbalta.html

[Anonymous]

Any recommendations in Arlington/Alexandria? Prefer a non-antidepressant route because I've had bad experiences with them before.

[Anonymous]

Anyone near Capitol Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to see Dr. Nicole Paras at Washington Hospital Center (covered by insurance), but--idk--the environment wan't calming, reassuring or, ultimately, helpful (to me).

She basically just referred me to some therapists for talk therapy and wrote a script for Zoloft.

I saw her and feel the same way. Pushed hard on the antidepressants.

Because it’s the most effective thing. It’s not like you can change your situation unless you’re willing to give away your child. [/quote

+1

You have to remember that the idea of taking an antidepressant has been taboo in a lot of households across America, and when a person truly needs to be on them it can be nearly impossible to get them that type of help if they're programed to believe depression can be fixed by some counseling and a daily walk.

[Anonymous]

Kristen Quigley in Georgetown