From Mommymeditations

[edit] Mommy Meditations: Meditation and Support for New Mothers During Postpartum Recovery

(As seen on ABC-7 Eyewitness News: Healthy Living with Denise Dador)

Mommy Meditations is the first in a series of new audio projects aimed at healing mothers from the physical and mental challenges that often accompany childbirth. It was developed with the help of Dr. Kerri S. Parks. Dr. Parks has a special connection to Mommy Meditations that extends well beyond her private Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. She is the mother of 4 children and has personally battled with postpartum depression and overcoming the loss of her husband to a fatal crash just days before the birth of her 4th child. Using meditation she has emerged a happy, successful single parent with 4 healthy and happy children. The Mommy Meditations project has been a labor of love for Dr. Parks and she's enthusiastic to share her story and offer this gift of support to the millions of mothers who suffer in silence.

New Motherhood: Unexpected Transitions

There are over 4 million new mothers in the United States every year -- nearly 12,000 new mothers per day. These new mothers are undoubtedly prepared for the upcoming joys of motherhood, but few are prepared for the intense periods of distressing feelings that can suddenly appear up to a year after birth.

New mothers are expected to experience overwhelming love, joy, and happiness when their baby arrives, and generally this is the case. However, childbirth puts an enormous amount of stress on new mothers, and roughly 80 percent of new moms also experience negative feelings including:

• Depression
• Agitation
• Anger
• Emptiness
• Insomnia
  
• Anxiety

Postpartum Depression - Physical & Emotional Anguish

After birth, a woman's hormone levels drop suddenly and dramatically and this period is often accompanied by what seem to be unexplainable bouts of intense anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, and panic. Then there is the fatigue associated with sleepless nights taking care of baby, and common experiences of pain. Surprisingly, there are few options of support when women face the sudden, often overwhelming, onset of physical and mental anguish. The focus of family, friends, and especially the new moms themselves, is entirely on the baby, ultimately leaving the mother unsupported as she suffers distressing emotional symptoms. Plus, while therapy and medication have proven helpful to new mothers, most women do not seek out professional assistance for what is often downplayed as the "baby blues".

But there is hope. Mommy Meditations is unique in that it is designed to finally bring attention back to the mother's well-being, empowering her with the tools to help overcome her unique challenges. This innovative system teaches techniques to make positive changes that can help a mother ease her mental and physical distress and allow her to be a healthier, happier and more effective mommy.

Meditation for Mothers: The Powers of Relaxation

Studies have shown that meditation is a powerful tool for reducing stress and boosting mood, as well as easing chronic pain and improving the immune system. Through Mommy Meditations' targeted meditation system, women will have a better chance of maintaining their emotional balance and fully appreciating the joys of motherhood.

Earlier Recognition of Postpartum Depression

It's also important to note that 1 in 8 women suffer clinical mood disorders following birth, like postpartum depression, and often don't recognize their symptoms. This meditation system can help new mothers tune into their bodies and minds, beginning the postpartum coping and recovery processes. This may lead to earlier recognition of their bodies' warning signs, giving them the chance to get further help. Plus, Mommy Meditations can easily be coupled with therapy, medication, or any other treatment helpful to new moms.

Using this system will be a rare chance in a new mother's busy day to decompress, devote some attention to herself, and reconnect with her mind and body.

• Mommy Meditations is a powerful resource designed specifically for new mothers to provide the relaxing and healing benefits of meditation. It is not a cure for pregnancy-related mood disorders, nor is it a substitute for medical and / or psychological consultation, but it may help a new mommy recognize feelings that may not yet be clear. It can also be a beneficial addition to a therapeutic program overseen by a doctor or therapist.

If negative feelings persist longer than a few days, if you have concerns about or a history of mental illness, or if your feelings include:

• obsessive compulsions
• delusions / hallucinations
• panic or
• thoughts of harming yourself, your child, or anyone else

SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

From WebMD:

"Postpartum depression (PPD) is temporary depression related to pregnancy and childbirth. It comes in two forms: early onset, commonly referred to as the "baby blues," and late onset. The early-onset type is mild and may affect as many as 80% of women after they deliver. It starts after delivery and usually resolves within a couple of weeks without medical treatment. The later-onset form is what most people think of as postpartum depression. This more severe form is usually recognized several weeks after delivery. Overall it affects about 10%-16% of women.

Symptoms of the "baby blues" include sadness, anxiety, tearfulness, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms usually appear within several days of delivery and go away by 10 to 12 days after the birth. Usually the only treatment needed is reassurance and some help with household chores and care of the baby. About 20% of women who have postpartum blues will develop more lasting depression. So it is very important to let your doctor know if you experience "blues" that last longer than two weeks."

MOMMY MEDITATIONS BRINGS NEW SOLACE TO WOMEN WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Over 80% Of New Moms Experience Postpartum Symptoms

Los Angeles, Ca (June 15, 2010) – New moms experience a variety of feelings when their baby arrives, including love, joy and happiness. But when those wonderful feelings turn to depression, agitation and anger, the job of being mommy can feel overwhelming and even unwelcome.
     Negative feelings after birth, symptoms of postpartum depression, impact nearly four in five new moms. Historically, these mothers have had little choice other than turning to therapy or medication for help. Mommy Meditations provides a new alternative for relief. What makes it a uniquely valuable resource is that it empowers a mother to take control of her own well-being. So rather than relying on a therapist or pill, new mothers learn how to prevail over their own negative feelings through the calming and healing benefits of meditation along with powerful insights from Dr. Kerri Parks, Ob/Gyn.
      Inspiration for creating Mommy Meditations came after a trip to the doctor when co-creator Devin Bailey and his wife learned that she was at high risk for postpartum depression. Upon this diagnosis, the Bailey’s conducted extensive research on the post-pregnancy “baby blues.” They learned that outside of drugs and psychology there was little available to women experiencing the extreme hormonal changes that occur after childbirth.
      “With nearly 12,000 women giving birth each day, 10,000 of whom are at-risk for postpartum depression, we felt there should be a new option for helping all new moms maximize their happiness and quality of life,” said Devin Bailey. The Bailey’s research lead them to Dr. Kerri Parks, Ob/Gyn, whose subsequent collaboration was driven by a special connection to the value Mommy Meditations held for new moms. As the mother of four children, she personally battled postpartum depression and the overwhelming loss of her husband to a fatal car crash just days before the birth of her last child. However, using meditative practices she emerged a happy, successful single parent with four healthy and happy
children.
      According to Dr. Parks, “Mommy Meditations’ targeted meditation system provides women with a better chance of maintaining their emotional balance and fully appreciating the joys of motherhood.”
      Narrated by Dr. Parks, the CD provides techniques designed to help new moms ease their mental and physical distress. As a new mother progresses through the system she learns how to make positive changes that allow her to be a healthier, happier and more effective mom. Mommy Meditations can also be a beneficial addition to a therapeutic program overseen by a doctor or therapist. Complete with inspiring insights from Dr. Parks, guided meditation, calming music, MOMtras (mommy affirmations) and more, the CD retails for $19.99 or .99 for individual downloadable tracks and is available at http://www.MommyMeditations.com.

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