Visitor restrictions are in place across all Children’s Wisconsin locations. Masks are required for all visitors and for patients ages 2+.
When a patient comes to the Genetics Clinic, the first person they’ll meet with is a genetic counselor. But what do they do?
What parents should look for when choosing a pediatrician.
Becoming a mom changes you forever — and that includes your mental and emotional state of being. How could you not be altered by suddenly having a tiny person who relies on you, and who you love and want to protect more fiercely than you could have imagined?
As a pediatrician at Children’s Wisconsin, I care for the health of babies and children, but I’m also interested in the overall health of the family. That’s why I make sure to talk to moms about how they are adjusting to having a new baby. Moms and dads have a wide range of feelings during this challenging time, and that can include depression. In fact, depression and anxiety are the most common complications of childbirth.
Most women — about 80 percent — experience the “baby blues” immediately after birth. This is a normal, temporary phase when women may have mood swings, tearfulness, difficulty sleeping, or changes in appetite. Baby blues arrive within a week of delivery and typically go away within two weeks.
Postpartum depression is different — but not uncommon. About one in seven women suffer from this condition, but only 15 percent of those get treatment. Signs of postpartum depression include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician right away.
Not only is postpartum depression or anxiety harmful for moms, it can also be harmful to kids. A mother’s depression can, over time, negatively impact a baby’s development in several ways:
Moms aren’t the only ones to suffer from postnatal depression — up to 25 percent of dads experience it, too.
The highest risk for dads is 3-6 months after delivery, and symptoms may come on more gradually than a mother’s. Just like maternal depression, dad’s depression can negatively affect infant care or bonding, and adds stress to the family.
The good news is, there are treatments for postpartum depression that are well-researched and very effective. If you think you may have postpartum depression or anxiety, talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
When a patient comes to the Genetics Clinic, the first person they’ll meet with is a genetic counselor. But what do they do?
What parents should look for when choosing a pediatrician.
The rites of parenthood include watching your children grow, delighting in their every accomplishment and…overruling their protests when it comes to taking a bath.
As the holidays fast approach, now is the time to talk to your kids about how celebrations will be different this year.
With so many schools going virtual, the amount of time kids spend in front of a screen hooked up to headphones is increasing.
No matter the holiday, celebrations will look different this year, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still be joyful and filled with love.
New studies point to higher COVID-19 risks for women who are pregnant.