No Woman Left Behind Postpartum Peer Support Group
Our Peer to Peer Group meets the second Tuesday of each month from
10.30am til noon
at Yellowood Nutrition & Wellness 426 Queen St W
Cambridge, ON
We also meet the last Thursday of each month from 7.30pm to 9pm
at
Cambridge Midwives 22 George N. Cambridge, ON N1S 2M8
at
Cambridge Midwives 22 George N. Cambridge, ON N1S 2M8
To reach us please contact us at 519.220.1519 or taniar@golden.net
www.yellowood.ca
www.yellowood.ca
(The following information is adapted from http://www.muskokapostpartumsupport.com/index.html)
…provides a safe, comfortable and confidential place for women to:
• Talk with a peer support mom
• Connect with other moms who are having similar experiences
• Get information about postpartum adjustment, postpartum depression and
postpartum mood disorders
• Feel supported through the journey of her postpartum months
Getting treatment is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and bravery.
We offer both day and evening meetings.
During daytime meetings infants and toddlers are welcome to attend.
We offer both day and evening meetings.
During daytime meetings infants and toddlers are welcome to attend.
Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs anyone can do. For every woman, having a baby is a
challenging time, both physically and emotionally. It is natural for many new mothers to have mood
swings after delivery, feeling joyful one minute and depressed the next. These feelings are sometimes
known as the "baby blues", and often go away within 10 days of delivery.
challenging time, both physically and emotionally. It is natural for many new mothers to have mood
swings after delivery, feeling joyful one minute and depressed the next. These feelings are sometimes
known as the "baby blues", and often go away within 10 days of delivery.
However, up to 20% of new moms experience a deep and ongoing depression which lasts much longer and can interfere with daily life. This is called postpartum depression (PPD).
PPD is often characterized by despondency, emotional instability, anger, guilt, tearfulness, worrying,
anxious thoughts or images, feelings of inadequacy and the inability to cope. It may occur shortly after the arrival of a new baby or many months later. For some women, symptoms may begin in pregnancy.
PPD is often characterized by despondency, emotional instability, anger, guilt, tearfulness, worrying,
anxious thoughts or images, feelings of inadequacy and the inability to cope. It may occur shortly after the arrival of a new baby or many months later. For some women, symptoms may begin in pregnancy.
How do I cope with Postpartum Depression?
Adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association website:
First, remember that you are not alone ‐ up to 20% of new mothers experience postpartum
depression. Equally important is remembering that you are not to blame.
Adapted from the Canadian Mental Health Association website:
First, remember that you are not alone ‐ up to 20% of new mothers experience postpartum
depression. Equally important is remembering that you are not to blame.
Here are some suggestions for coping:
• Focus on short‐term, rather than long‐term goals. Build something to look forward
to into every day, such as a walk, a bath, a chat with a friend
• Look for free or inexpensive activities; check with your local library, community
centre or place of worship
• Spend time with your partner and/or close friends and family
• Share your feelings and ask for help
• Try to get some rest, mild exercise and eat well
• Join a local support group – develop a support system
If you think a friend or family member is suffering from postpartum depression, offer your
support and reassurance. You may be able to direct them towards useful sources of
information about postpartum depression. Easing the isolation they feel is an important
step.
• Focus on short‐term, rather than long‐term goals. Build something to look forward
to into every day, such as a walk, a bath, a chat with a friend
• Look for free or inexpensive activities; check with your local library, community
centre or place of worship
• Spend time with your partner and/or close friends and family
• Share your feelings and ask for help
• Try to get some rest, mild exercise and eat well
• Join a local support group – develop a support system
If you think a friend or family member is suffering from postpartum depression, offer your
support and reassurance. You may be able to direct them towards useful sources of
information about postpartum depression. Easing the isolation they feel is an important
step.
How Partners Can Help:
• Encourage her to talk about her feelings to show that you understand or are trying
to understand
• Set visitation limits by telling friends “no” when she doesn’t feel like company
• If friends or family offer help – such as volunteering to clean house ‐ accept
• When friends offer to babysit, say “yes”. Parents need time away from a baby
• Tell her you love her, don’t assume she knows it. Many women feel unsexy and
unlovable and need to know their partners aren’t going to leave them
• Pick up the slack with chores
• Be physically affectionate without asking for sex
• Encourage her to talk about her feelings to show that you understand or are trying
to understand
• Set visitation limits by telling friends “no” when she doesn’t feel like company
• If friends or family offer help – such as volunteering to clean house ‐ accept
• When friends offer to babysit, say “yes”. Parents need time away from a baby
• Tell her you love her, don’t assume she knows it. Many women feel unsexy and
unlovable and need to know their partners aren’t going to leave them
• Pick up the slack with chores
• Be physically affectionate without asking for sex
“Fathers can play a key role in helping their partners cope with postpartum
depression. A woman is very vulnerable after having a baby and he is her main
support. Men need support too, especially first-time fathers who don't know what to
expect, who are trying to support their wives and cope with their own feelings.”
Joan Stauffer Assistant Coordinator of Calgary's Postpartum Support Service.
