Post-Natal-Depression Have Any Questions? Please Call Us Now on 0870 220 3221, We Are Here To Help. Bright light and pregnancy TO CORRECT YOUR CIRDADIAN RHYTHM DISORDER BROUGHT ON BY YOUR HORMONE CHANGES DUE TO YOUR PREGNANCY, YOU NEED TO HAVE LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME OF DAY EACH DAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN CONTINUE THE LIGHT TREATMENT In addition to light being used for prenatal depression, light may help pregnant women sleep better. 8 out of 10 women have disrupted sleep during pregnancy, partly because of circadian rhythm hormone changes, (please read the side index bar named circadian rhythm CRD for more info) and partly because of the moving fetus. Light can help with sleep by strengthening the circadian rhythm. Please move straight to the bottom of this page for our New Bluewave bright light treatments. Bluewave Light treatment naturally increase serotonin and helps stabilise regular sleep patterns. Pregnancy can be a difficult change for women. Their body is growing, they can’t do many things they enjoyed, and their hormone levels are fluctuating. These changes may be why 10% of women suffer from depression during or after pregnancy. Prenatal and postpartum depressions are depressive disorders that occur during or within a year after pregnancy. A woman may be fine during pregnancy but then become depressed after delivery. However, most women with prenatal depression will suffer after birth as well. Many women report that this depression is unlike anything they have experienced before. Prenatal & Postpartum Symptoms An expectant or new mother may experience some of the following symptoms: Sluggishness, Fatigue, Exhaustion Feeling sad, worthless or hopeless Feeling tense, anxious or ‘on edge’ Mood swings, emotional outbursts or unexplained crying Irritability, anger, short temper or argumentative Sleep problems; either too much sleep, sleep at the wrong time, or insomnia Changes in appetite Loss of concentration, memory problems or confusion Feeling overwhelmed or thoughts of suicide Overprotective or overly concerned for the baby Fear of harming the baby or yourself Lack of interest in sex Prenatal and postpartum depressions are among the most serious mood disorders for women because they impact the health of the fetus and newborn. An expectant mother will not take as good care of herself, which may harm the fetus. Studies also show that depressed mothers don’t care for their babies as well as other mothers. They talk less, show less affection and don’t’ respond as well. As a result, their babies have more problems socially; they withdraw, and are less animated than other babies. Commenting on the long-term consequences, Dr. Barbara Parry, Women’s Health researcher at UCSD states: “Children of depressed mothers are at increased risk for anxiety disorders in childhood, major depression in adolescence, and alcohol dependence in early adulthood. Furthermore, depressed offspring of depressed parents have a longer duration of episodes, more impairment, more medical problems and receive less mental health treatment. In addition to having more serious and recurrent depression, they are more socially and vocationally impaired. Thus, to reverse these adverse consequences of maternal depression, treatments need to be instituted early in the course of the illness.” –Barbara Parry, M.D., Journal of Affective Disorders, 60 (2000) 201-212 Why expectant and new mothers become depressed Pregnancy and delivery causes hormone levels in some women to be too low. During pregnancy, the body clock releases hormones that increase the body’s ability to deal with the added stress of having a baby. These hormones take their toll though, by depleting reserves of serotonin, the hormone associated with wellness and mood. During the third trimester and just after birth, serotonin levels are as low as those found in people with major depression. This is why over 70% of new mothers experience the ‘blues,’ and 10% suffer from depressive illnesses. In postpartum depression estrogen levels fall after birth, which may also be a cause for depression. Estrogen and serotonin replacement have been helpful in improving symptoms of this depression. Pregnancy and postpartum depressions affect the body clock Researchers have also noted a strong connection between circadian rhythms and pregnancy related depressions. Symptoms are generally worse in the morning time, and the sleep problems are a result of disrupted circadian rhythms. Since light is known to produce serotonin as well as reset the body clock, researchers at Yale and UCSD have had success in treating women with pregnancy related depressions. In this case, the specialized light is used in the morning time. News that morning bright light is helpful is important because anti-depressant medication is undesirable during pregnancy and nursing. Wake Therapy Women who suffer from severe depression symptoms should consider wake therapy as a viable option to anti-depressant medication. Scientists believe that depression may cause the body clock to 'shut down', and wake therapy is just like rebooting a computer. ‘Wake therapy’ means waking the patient early, from about 2:00am on, when the body clock is most active. Since the body clock doesn’t get the sleep feedback it needs, it reboots its system. Adding morning bright light keeps the circadian system from shutting down again. Several clinical studies now confirm that using bright light with wake therapy produces an immediate and lasting antidepressant response. Research also shows that when wake therapy is combined with traditional medications, the effect is even more pronounced. "It appears that bright light combined with wake therapy and medication might produce a much better antidepressant response much more rapidly than our available antidepressant drugs." - Bright light augments antidepressant effects of medication and wake therapy, Depression and Anxiety, 16: 1-3 (2002). HEALTH TIPS Bluewave Therapy 15-30 minutes in the morning can help produce serotonin and reset your body clock. Resetting your body clock will also allow you to fall asleep easier and sleep better throughout the night. Bluewave light is specially designed to produce the active hormone, serotonin and suppress melatonin. Melatonin is often called the ‘hibernation hormone’ and is thought to restrict other hormones that promote a healthy menstrual cycle. Your body produces higher levels of melatonin during the winter, and when you don’t get enough bright light. PMDD is also worse in the winter. Wake Therapy has been used successfully with women for stronger symptoms of postpartum depression. With the guidance of a physician, try waking up early, around 2:00 am (for one morning only) before your period starts, and use Bluewave light each morning through the first week of your next cycle. Increase Serotonin Levels. Low levels of serotonin are related to depression, mood, irritability, low concentration and pain. Women are more vulnerable to serotonin deficiency than men. Increase vitamins and minerals. Since post pregnancy is marked by a deficiency in several vitamins, calcium and magnesium. The Mood Tracker The mood tracker is a reliable way to tell if you have a pregnancy related depression. Keeping the log for several months will convince your doctor that you have a condition, because the mood tracker will show the pattern and severity of your symptoms. Healthy lifestyle. Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco all increase depression symptoms such as irritability, stomach problems and insomnia. Salty foods help retain water and contribute to blood pressure problems. Refined sugars and carbohydrates increase insulin, which depletes serotonin. Exercise moderately. A consistent exercise plan increases energy and mood and cuts down on cramping and body aches. Late afternoon is the best time to exercise; less cortisol is in your system, which means less risk to your heart. Your body burns energy better, and muscles respond quicker in the afternoon & evening. Don’t exercise within 4 hours of bedtime, though. This may make it difficult to sleep. Reduce Stress. Post partum depression may often be the cause of stress, because of the discomfort and emotional problems it causes. Post-Natal-Depression (Showing: 1 - 4) Code: AH-GOLITE1. Weights less than 2lbs! PRICE DROP - IN STOCK - S.A.D., Depression, Insomnia and CFS are all related to having a Circadian Rhythm Disorder End Ypur Symptoms In a WEEK! £147.99 Now you know about CRD you can correct it in a week. Light therapy products have been selling for many years, The Golite is NEW Technology giving off a more effective Buewave light. Code: ICE-CB Light Bright - LED 10,000 Lux Portable SAD Light. Another Great Light Helping End SAD CFS & PND, CRD & All Symptoms Related to These Illnesses, eg, Anxiety & Depression £79.99 Code: M2 New More Portable NEW M2 Golite - PRICE DROP! S.A.D - Depression, Insomnia and CFS are all related to having a Circadian Rhythm Disorder This Light Will End Your Symptoms in Approx ONE WEEK!. £177.99 IN STOCK SAME DAY DISPATCH on this product only..... The goLITE M2 keeps all of the same features as the goLITE P2 but improves upon it by adding a longer lasting Lithium-ion battery... read more... Code: Sun Light Alarm Clock Sun Light Alarm Clock - Was £89.99 now £65.99 DOUBLES UP as a SAD LIGHT and an SAD Alarm, Great Helping End SAD, CFS & PND, CRD & All Symptoms Related to These Illnesses, eg, Anxiety & Depression, Insomnia, £65.99 Cannot find the product you are looking for? Please contact us by telephone 0203 303 0543, fax , or email: info@adsshop.co.uk. 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