Post Partum Plan
EDD ________
Medical Care:
Psychiatrist – evaluation before delivery.
Dr. G. 11/25
Address and phone.
Medication Plan
since 15 weeks pg - 20mg/daily Prozac.
Prenatals and B6 daily
? in case of Panic Attacks–
? in case of OCD–
? in case of PPP– Celexa?
? IT’s
Diagnostic Work:
Thyroid tests–all 4.
CBC
Acidity test
Other tests discussed in Osmond’s book.
Emotional Care:
Weekly therapy sessions with N beginning: 12/___
Three postpartum visits from doula.
Limited access for extended family (many of whom don't understand and will be upset)...no more than one week visit for Mom and ILs.
Childcare:
Babysitter: Margaret.
Play dates for older child: be specific who.
Home Help:
Meals: be specific who.
Holidays will be upon us...catalogs or one stop Toys R Us.
Self Care:
Staying/feeling pretty --
Haircut and color, 12/15.
Manicure/Pedicure, 12/15.
Wear the belly band.
Develop physical strength (this will be very very challenging as HG takes a lot during pg, and I also have fibromyalgia and will be limited in any exercise I can do)– trampoline, walking, if ambitious, swimming.
Sears photo shoot with children.
Emergency Plan:
If I am too sick, I will be hospitalized at ________________, under the care of Dr. G.
Dh, doc, and I all agreed on what would send me to the hospital: panic attacks or the inability to sleep 8 hours throughout the day.
CALL PSYCHIATRIST - Dr. G.
CALL THERAPIST - N
Overnights:
Postpartum Doula - $20/hr
Day Help:
M and J
___________________________
Some questions I asked my ob/gyn before he recommended getting a psychiatrist as back up should I fall very ill again.
1. Should I go up in dosage of Prozac at the end of the pg? (currently 20 mg/day) Or should I go up after delivery? Or wait and see?
2. What prescription can I have at 36 weeks (so it's in my hand at the hospital) for panic attacks?
3. What prescription can I have at 36 weeks for ITs (intrusive thoughts)?
Again, not to take while pregnant but have in hand at hospital.
4. What prescription can I have at 36 weeks for insomnia?
5. What vitamins besides b6 and a prenatal should I start after delivery? (Can't hold down vitamins yet, except b6....hoping to get some in me during third tri.)
6. What will we do if one of the above meds doesn't work or causes an allergic reaction?
7. What hospital in-patient psychiatric program do you recommend if I need to be hospitalized? (I figure, if I need to be hospitalized that I shouldn't be trying to decide where to go after I'm sick.)
_______________________
After reading what Marie Osmonds doctor wrote (about 2/3rds of the book), I want to line up some blood testing postpartum. I need to study the tests and talk to my ob. I figure a CBC to check minerals, etc. I also want to be sure a thyroid antibody screen is done; I've asked for this FOUR times and still not gotten that specific test...there are four thyroid screens. So I'm adding a new section to my protocol under medication called diagnosis to find the cause. I finally feel hopeful that maybe someone in the world can find the cause of my (and your) PPD, not just treat the symptoms. I've been so frustrated knowing my symptoms are treated but the underlying cause is still there....it's like painkillers for a broken leg but no cast or proper support for the leg. Time for the proper supports for my chemistry.
______________________________
Things I've added since creating this:
Finding B6 and magnesium along with the Prozac are helping me, and I do still take a Restoril here or there if I get to wound up to sleep.