quick clicks

twins today articles

twins today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Double the Risk

Multiples and Postpartum Depression

By Teri Brown

As the single mother of unexpected twins, Melissa Fry of Roseville, Calif., felt she had to do everything on her own so she wouldn't be a burden on her family. "I was determined to do it all by myself and not ask for help," says Fry. "I became physically and mentally exhausted."

Eight weeks after her daughters were born, Fry went back to work full time and tried to care for the twins on her own. She quickly became overwhelmed but did nothing about it. "I lied to my doctor when he asked me questions about how I was feeling because I thought I should be handling things better than I was," she says.

After being hospitalized twice for attempted suicide, Fry was diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). With therapy and a low dose of antidepressants, she is recovering.

Unfortunately, Fry's story isn't unique. According to Nancy Bowers, R.N., B.S.N., author of The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook (McGraw-Hill, 2001), the incidence of postpartum depression and anxiety disorders in mothers with multiple infants is estimated at 25 percent. In mothers of singletons, only about 10 percent of women are affected.

"Many parents say that demands are not just doubled with twins or tripled with three babies, but they increase exponentially," says Bowers. "In addition, half of twins and nearly all higher-order multiples are born preterm and may have health problems secondary to prematurity."

Health problems only exacerbate the stress that often leads to PPD, says Bowers. Other difficulties complicate the problems new mothers of multiples face. Many mothers of multiples conceived with infertility treatments, and this may cause additional stress. Finances may be tight after expensive infertility care or extended hospitalization of premature babies.

And then there's multiple birth itself. "It is believed that multiple birth may be a risk factor in itself," says Bowers. "Factors related to multiple birth which add risk include a higher incidence of preterm births, the volume and constancy of the babies' needs, insufficient support, sleep deprivation and social isolation. Many women with multiples have also had complicated pregnancies and births, including prolonged bed rest, making physical recovery harder."

"In addition, these women often have very high expectations of themselves as mothers," adds Bowers. "When the parenting experience isn't what they expected, they may feel guilty or resentful. Some feel they can't complain about the difficulties of parenting multiples, thinking, 'After all, this is what I wanted.' And friends or family may expect them to be happy regardless."

A lack of consistent physical and emotional support, especially for those with triplets or more, is also a contributing factor to PPD. For mothers who receive initial support, it can be overwhelming when grandparents go back home or a spouse returns to work at the end of family leave.

Want to see more?

• Postpartum Depression: When Having a Baby Gives You More Than the Blues
• Learning to Let Go: Coping With the Stress of New Parenthood
• Postpartum Depression: Preventing Tragedy
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.