Customer Reviews

Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting: Emotions, Mental Health, and Happiness -- Before, During, and AfterPregnancy

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Well-written, easy to read and very human. This is a vital read for anyone who suffered from depression before pregnancy (even if you were "cured"); as well as women who are looking for a post-partum resource that deals with how she actually *feels*, as opposed to an extended tome on diaper changing, breast pads and burping, which are ten-a-penny.

Also, a great read for dads-to-be and new dads, who are wondering who took their wife and replaced her with this sad lady?

Instead of buying another book on the merits of "wearing" your baby or the horrors of disposable diapers, which you flip through in your "mommy" pajamas (with flaps) whilst hiding in the closet, crying, at 3am, (been there); get this book and start getting well.

This book is eloquently written and so honest - thank you, Dr. Puryear! Also, thank you for encouraging us moms to realize that being a "good enough" mother is an achievable, reasonable, rational, and realistic goal. This notion offers women the freedom to be themselves and the fulfillment that comes from loving others from a place of authenticity.

Dr. Puryear is well-known in Houston as a psychiatrist in private practice and a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Puryear served as an expert witness in both of Andrea Yates' trials here in Houston and is a powerful advocate for women and the need to recognize and appropriately treat and manage women's mental health issues.

This book is for every woman who will, who is and who has experienced pregnancy and/or motherhood. It's focus is on the "normal" fluctuations in emotion and mood that many women experience during and after pregnancy and differentiating such changes from mood disorders (depression, anxiety, psychosis) that need professional treatment.

Dr. Puryear weaves in some her personal experiences of motherhood and acknowledges the fact that for too long we women and society at large have put unnecessary and undue pressure upon women to be "perfect" in so many ways - including motherhood. The author encourages us women to shift our focus to a new goal - to striving to do the best we can with what we know and what we have daily to best serve ourselves, our families, and society at large. She gives us permission to be "good enough" mothers and to be honest, vulnerable, strong and forgiving of ourselves.

Thank you, Dr. Puryear, for sharing yourself, your stories, your expertise, and stories of others that are easy to understand and relate to as women and mothers.

As a mental health practitioner, I find this book valuable to recommend to my clients.

This book should be required reading for all expectant mothers! I so wish that I had been able to read it before the birth of my first baby, but now that my 2nd is eight months old, I find that it is EXACTLY what I needed to know. I've struggled with PPD issues after both of my babies, and this book has been the GREATEST help!

There are so many books out there about what you may feel physically during pregnancy and postpartum. I believe this is the first that helps pregnant women gauge what's common emotionally. As a therapist who works with pregnant and postpartum women, I am thrilled to see this book! I have already recommended it to several clients who are having a rough time emotionally.

Dr. Puryear has written a concise guide to the spectrum of mood changes that are common for pregnant women to have, starting with the very beginning of pregnancy. I know this book will be very reassuring for many families, and I am grateful to be able to offer it as a resources to my clients.

This is a must read for anyone with anxiety about being pregnant. It explains that strong emotions are very normal and creates a comfort level about the emotions experienced especially during the first trimester.

This book really helped me get through my pregnancy. It normalized a lot of what I was going through in a very reassuring way, yet also clarified when to consider getting help. It is an excellent resource for anyone who is pregnant or considering pregnancy who has a history of depression, bipolar disorder, or just intense feelings.

i wish this was required reading for all doctors, especially ob, pediatrics, and family practice. and then they could give a copy to every mother and potential mother, and fathers. it covers a lot of valuable information not found anywhere else in a very readable and understandable form.
it really emphasizes an understanding viewpoint that could help us all-we do not have to try to live up to what we think are others expectations of us. a lot of wisdom here.

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com
Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!

Book Review: Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting by Lucy Puryear, M.D.

Remember living without the words "stressed" and "depressed?" It seems that most of society has now become so aware of the conditions, that even our teenagers complain of being stressed or depressed, rather than "stretched for time" or just plain "sad." According to Lucy Puryear M.D., author of Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting, and witness for the defense in the trial of Andrea Yates, approximately 19 million Americans experience a depressive episode each year. Women seem to be the most effected by true clinical depression, the number estimated at 12 million yearly. One in four will have a depressive episode during her lifetime, some experiencing postpartum depression.

Though all women experience hormonal changes, an estimated 80% of new mothers feel the "Baby Blues." 10% of those women will continue into postpartum depression. What's the difference?

Baby Blues last a short while, up to two weeks after delivery and it feels like PMS. Whereas women with Baby Blues are tired and sleeping, those with postpartum depression usually cannot sleep. Other signs of postpartum depression are lack of appetite, confusion, and fear of harming the baby or one's self.

Signs of increased risk for a postpartum psychiatric disorder during pregnancy:

Previous time of depression during your life.

Depressive symptoms during the third trimester.

Previous occurrence of postpartum depression. (50%-70% greater risk)

Family history of bipolar disorder.

Severe PMS.

Poor marital support.

The key Dr. Puryear says is to educate yourself before delivery. Understand that the body will experience hormonal upheaval, and baby blues are normal for many women, but know the difference between the stress of a new baby and postpartum depression.

This book offers key insights for pregnant women or those who will become pregnant.

5 Stars

This book seemed to be informative and helpful, but Dr. Puryear lost her credibility when she writes about how annoying it was when a waiter didn't serve her a margarita when she was 8 months pregnant. Then she goes on about how she wanted to go after the waiter and tell him off, saying that both she and her husband are doctors and understand the risks of fetal alcohol consumption. She wanted her and the baby to sleep better. I think that's very strange, and irresponsible. Chamomile tea would do the trick, not a substance proven to be toxic to a fetus even with minimal exposure.