OPEN TO EVERYONE: Can adoptive mothers get Postpartum Depression?

BPD Wife

Postpartum depression? No.

Post Adoption Stress Disorder? Yes.

Are there stresses involved for both parents? Yes.

Is it fair to assume that one is worse than the other? No.

Each adoption is different and every story is different.

Guinevere D

Postnatal depression is an imbalance of hormones due to giving birth and pregnancy, so no. However, another type of depression or mood change is possible, this can be from not bonding with the child, isolation, panic, etc.

Olivia J

Well not technically, no, as they don't go through the same hormonal changes as a woman who had recently given birth.

Possum

Postpartum depression - is initially brought on because of the hormones produced in pregnancy and the birthing process - and exacerbated by lack of sleep, bonding issues & everything else associated with caring for a newborn baby.

Adoptive parents can NOT have this - as they didn't give birth to the child.

They may get depression after adopting a child - and it could be related to lack sleep, bonding issues - or any number of other issues - but in answer to your question -

NO - adoptive parents do not get Postpartum Depression.

dory

No, they most absolutely, positively, 100% without a doubt CAN NOT get postpartum depression - PERIOD.

They can get post adoption depression syndrome - but no way can they get postpartum depression - it is scientifically impossible.

Anyone who wants to argue otherwise is really just trying to make adoption out to be just like giving birth - and it's not. It's not more, it's not less - but it's different.

susie h

I wouldn't have thought so as I think its hormonal. On saying that, you could be "depressed". The shock of becoming a mother could be described as a similar thing, you would be going through the same feelings as a new mum, even though you physically haven't given birth. A new baby is always worrying. Will I be good enough, will I be able to cope, then there's the worrying about this little tiny, wonderful creation. Look, if you think you have a problem, then you need to discuss this with your Doctor or Health visitor or social worker. Good luck

Robin

Well, not really....According to some web sites, it's called Post Adoption Depression Syndrome, or PADS.

PADS is about adoptive mothers' post adoption 'let down'. Some of the same non-hormonal causes of PPD might also affect new adoptive moms. The lack of sleep, the overwhelming responsibility, the (temporary) loss of regular contact with friends, etc.

Can one cause of PADS be delayed (or supplanted) grief? When infertility plays a part in the decision to adopt, infertile parents may not take the time to fully grieve their "loss". Instead, they run headlong into the arduous process of adoption expecting that once they get a baby, their only emotion will be joy. Yet their grief is still there lingering in the background, buried, overlooked, denied.

PADS...."is not yet a distinct illness recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Psychologists often link new mother's depression to the sudden overwhelming demands of an infant and new financial responsibility, as well her loss of professional identity, social networks, and personal freedom. Sometimes depression is simply about not getting enough sleep or time to oneself."

Below are some web sites that explain PADS. Or google Post Adoption Depression Syndrome.

Isabel A

I thought I had heard it all too.
I am sorry, postpartum depression is reserved for people who have actually given birth.
If you get depressed after adopting, it's just called regular old depression.
I mean really, giving birth is hard work. It really is! And those hormone changes are something I wouldn't wish on anyone. To say you have postpartum anything when you haven't actually given birth is crossing the line into delusion.
This is crazy talk people!
You can quote me all the sources you want, you can not have postpartum depression from adopting, you just can't.

â™¥Bella Lalitaâ™¥

tish

i thought i heard it all... so when do amoms also get the privilege of stretchmarks, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, 4+ week-long bleeding, hemorrhoids and itching stitches? seriously, anyone who wants to take a few of my days puking between meetings is more than welcomed.

although there are secondary causes to PPD (stress, fatigue...) the PRIMARY correlation is hormonal fluctuations as a result of pregnancy and delivery.

There is a post-ADOPTION depression syndrome that's related to the stress of a new baby, fatigue and some pre-existing depression. but it's not the same.

BTW, this is not a general comment toward all amoms. many on this board (cowboy-fan, et al) are well aware that their experiences are different then a birthing mother and try not to minimize those very different experiences. i just become livid when experiences of pregnant and birthing women are co-opted to better authenticate adoption.

EDIT: another co-opted term from adoption land...

i read a adoption-lawyer's website where the adoptive parents waiting period after the birth of the baby is called, "you labor and delivery, without an epidurual!" what the f@#k does that mean??? and how cruel is that? until one has spent 15+ hours actually "laboring without an epidural" (as i did with my last baby), they do NOT have the right to co-opt that term!!! sorry ladies, my dander is up... and i really don't care if i get 6,000 thumbs-down. if we can deal with to the experiences of laboring and post-partum women marginialized, then damnit, others should be able to understand when we push back...

see bullet 5. http://www.dloadoption.com/qa.htm

adoption is a different type of parenting. why can't we just accept that?

i also choose to offer a "clinical' reference to a medical diagnosis....unfortunately, adoptive parents are NOT mentioned in the scientific literature.

national institutes of health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/postpartumdepression.html

centers for disease control and prevention
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/postpartum.htm

cowboy_fan

No but maybe some other form of depression.

Mary G

Thanks appreciate that! No adoptive mothers can not get post partum depression. They did not give birth to the child, so therefore it is impossible.

Is it possible that a new adoptive mother can get depressed? Absolutely, they are people like everyone else, they have emotions. Is that post partum? Uh no, it is post adoption syndrome (PADS) and that is all there is to it.

And once again Noodles is wrong, adoptive mothers do not get post partum depression, they did not give birth, they have no hormonal imblance to cause it, ergo it is impossible for them to have it. They can however suffer from post adoption depression. Why not try reading the answers before you tell people they are wrong? mmkay?

SMO2

no. PTD is from hormones that come after birth. Now if you are looking at other causes that can trigger PTD, such as loss or freedom, reality of a new child hitting you suddenly, stress from change of lifesytle, worry about if you are capable.... those things can trigger, PTD and can cause an emotional reacion in an adoptive mother. That is not PTD though, as PTD has a hormonal base

concerned

Post-partum depression, no. BY DEFINITION, no.

Post-adoption depression, yes.

Andraya

I answered another question that was basically identical. I'm not in the mood to repeat myself. My answer is NO. Any depression felt by an adoptive parent is NOT PPD! It is impossible to have POSTPARTUM depression if you are not in the postpartum period.

***edit

Copy and paste lesson.

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spongebob!

i dont think so, because actual moms gave birth to a child and that messed up their hormones and gets them all messed up. a new adoptive could have a hard time and get stressed, though

sammi

they dont give birth so no

in COGNITO *

I don't know if you would consider it depression, but i was full of greif. FOr my son who was very sick. For his mother's incredible loss. For the unknown. I cried everyday for 2 weeks (while he was in the NICU). I needed reassurence from her that this is what needed to happen. As much as I wanted him, I had to be sure it was right.

And after giving birth to my daughter I was so happy to Not be pregnant and to be alive I didn't even get the blues. No doubt PPD is real, proven disorder, but nothing I've experienced.

Tmarie99

No. I'm sure they can suffer some sort of depression, but since they never carried or delivered the child, never had the hormone imbalances, increases, and fluctuations, it is physically impossible for her to suffer post partum depression.

average Joe

I don't think it's that. There is a thing in sales referred to as Buyers Remorse.in which they make a purchase of something they have always wanted and as soon as the deal is complete , They start to feel anxiety about it, fear ,wondering what They have got them self into. They Just have to hang in there .it will pass and they will realize the anxiety was groundless

karen m

Postpartum depression is caused from hormones being out of whack after giving birth, therefore I don't believe so.

Jesusa

no.
fake.

Crucio

I never would have thought of it but I wouldnâ€™t rule anything out. There are some articles you can find do a Google search on adoptive Mums suffering from PD. Maybe it wouldnâ€™t be as severe as someone who gives birth, however if the majority of the symptoms are the same. The only difference is that adoptive mother did not give birth. Its also stated some stress that adoptive parents deal with , that birthparents donâ€™t have to deal with.

Even if one asked a doctors you could get diffrent answers. Like some doctors say a bit of wine during pregnancy is ok, where as others say that it is not.

Bouvier

Actually yes, there is a book out with proof.........it is all hormonal, I believe it is called Post Adoption Blues...........the hormones are different of course, but yes, it is possible.

noodlesmycat

Thanks Healing=Hello=Lilalu,

Yes, read this. I wasn't able to link it on my question. Don't have the copy and paste thing down like the trolls do. AND NO, I DID NOT HAVE POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION, but it is a fact. Here you go EVERYONE:

dkw5865

This may sound dumb but my identical twin sister just had a baby and for some reason I am having these intrusive thoughts that come into my head. Is it possible for an identical twin toget postpartum depression. I was reading some of the symptoms and it it definitely what I'm experiencing.

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