THE RISK OF UNTREATED POSTPARTUM IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

I had written before about the critical condition of postpartum depression that many women are likely to suffer after childbearing regardless of nationality, social status and religious background.

I just want to emphasize more on the necessity of this condition to be treated, especially in the Jewish community where the birth rate is high and many women suffer silently from PPD.

Postpartum depression can affect a woman’s well being for a long time after childbirth and if not treated it can develop into a lifelong thyroid condition.

So, I urge all ladies to be attentive to their health before and after childbirth and be aware of any unusual symptoms that one might be feeling such as to name few: excessive sadness, uncontrollable crying, lack of interest in the baby, confusion, anxiety, total exhaustion or severe fatigue, feeling of guilty, disturbances of sleep, mood swings up and downs…

But, if these symptoms don’t get treated it can become a much worst condition, and it’s a mistake that many women leave it untreated and undiagnosed.

It’s important to note that problems untreated after childbirth is likely to become a thyroid problem during life and be triggered in a future pregnancy, menopause or a general stressful time.

If you know somebody who might be suffering from PPD, you can contact the non-profit organization SPARKS whose primary mission is to help women in the Jewish community to overcome this condition.

SPARKS is doing a terrific job in helping women in the community, yet it survives solely on donations; therefore this a great Tzedakah cause that everyone can contribute due to its worthy cause which is the Yiddish mama’s cause.

Check SPARKS’s website: http://sparkscenter.org/about.htm or click on the title to be redirected.