Woman & Infants Hospital Day Program?

[braidmama]

Hey all,

After almost 5 months since my son's birth I'm starting to feel really desperat about my ppd...at first I thought I would just "get over it" and that as my son grew and we bonded more it would just leave but needless to say it has gotten worse...

I feel like a horrible mother...like I'm not cut out for this. The guilt over every little thing is excrutiating! On top of it he has just started early stages of teething and is ALWAYS screaming. He's a very high needs baby! I appreciate that he wants the best out of me but sometimes, more often than not, I find myself placing him in the bouncer or swing (things I didn't even want to own when I found out I was pg) and turning on a kid's dvd. I hate that I do that but I just don't know how to kep him entertained.

Annnyway. The real reason for this post is that dp and I were doing a bit of research last night to try to find some local resources that might help me other than a regular physician as I would like to avoid pharmaceuticals (been down that road before) and my health insurance doesn't cover mental health. We came across the Day Program at Women and Infants Hospital in RI. According to the website its averagely a 7 day program where you stay there for the week with your baby and they have all kinds of therapy sessions available as well as lactation consultants, etc. My main issue and goal is to feel better so I can be a happy and confident mama. I'm just nervous that I'm going to be constantly watched over like a child like I was when we were in the nicu after his birth...

Does anyone know anything about this program? Sorry for the long post! I'm just looking for some advice/opinions on this...

[annettemarie]

It sounds like an amazing program! You may actually want to post this in your geographic area in Finding Your Tribe. Best of luck to you!

[braidmama]

that's a good idea...thanks annettemarie

[happyhats]

I know nothing about this program, but it sounds like it could be really great. Only you know how you're doing, and if you need help, but I also implore you to not be so hard on yourself. Some babies really need and enjoy the stimulation that comes from bouncers and swings. My dd needed space to really relax if she was having an off time or was overly stimulated. And it's okay that you need time to relax and recharge as well.

That said, I'm not trying to dismiss your ppd AT ALL. Or tell you not to get help. I think it's great that you are looking into getting the help that you need. I have experienced a lot of depression during my current pregnancy and it was very hard to open up to even my dh about the issues I was having. Getting my feelings out and getting the extra support has truly been a lifesaver for me though. There is no shame in ppd and no shame in needing help.

[crunchy_mommy]

I had (have) a high-needs baby too & struggled so much. It's HARD.

I'm in RI & I never even heard of this program, I looked it up just now & it sounds very unique.

I got the impression from their website that you leave your baby in the nursery while you attend the sessions. So it sounds like to your baby it would be kind of like a daycare. I couldn't really figure out what they do with the babies & how much interaction you'd get with them throughout the day???

I have done other 'day hospital' programs (for anorexia & depression) i.e. at Butler which is affiliated with W&I & they were interesting (unfortunately I tend to be treatment-resistant but I imagine they'd help most people!) I didn't feel they treated me like a child at all -- it was kind of like college, you'd go to your 'classes' and in between you'd have short breaks to do whatever and then at 4pm you went home. The 'classes' were group therapy or learning relaxation techniques or individual therapy etc. I've been in & out of hospitals a lot and the day program was nothing like being a patient in a hospital (especially because you don't have a nurse, a bed, etc.)

One thing I should point out though that if your insurance doesn't cover 'mental health' I don't know that they'd cover this kind of program either since it's mental-health focused. But you never know -- I'd just call and ask first to know what you're getting into as far as costs etc.

Hope that helps some & also hope you can begin to feel happier!! Are you getting out & about? I found that helped me a ton. I'm in a natural moms group that I love, PM me if you want more info on it, just being around other moms & chatting/sharing ideas/venting and making friends has helped me to feel so much happier & more confident as a mom.

[MsStarbuck]

Did you ever end up going? I was referred to it, but not sure if I want to go.