| Intended Parents have several concerns before, | | | | -Risk factors include previous major depression, |
| during and after they have a baby through surrogacy. | | | | psychosocial stress, inadequate social support, and |
| Some, but not all, have a great relationship with their | | | | previous premenstrual dysphoric disorder (If the |
| surrogate and worry how she is going to react once | | | | surrogate has had previous bouts with depression |
| the baby is born. Is she going to feel attached to the | | | | she may not make a good candidate in the first |
| baby? Is she going to want to bond with the baby? | | | | place) |
| Is she going to feel used and lonely once she is no | | | | -Symptoms include depressed mood, tearfulness, |
| longer pregnant? These are very valid concerns for | | | | inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, trouble |
| the Intended Parents. These questions are part of | | | | sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, suicidal thoughts, |
| the reason a psychological evaluation is required | | | | feelings of inadequacy as a parent, feelings of |
| before any medications or embryo transfers take | | | | rejection, and impaired concentration. |
| place; to allow the potential carrier to think about | | | | -Postpartum depression interferes with a woman's |
| these issues. However, even when IP's are at home | | | | ability to care for her baby. (Or in a surrogate's case, |
| with their newest family member, it's important that | | | | her own family). |
| they show their concern for their (now) past | | | | The causes of Postpartum Depression are the same |
| surrogate. | | | | in everyone who has just given birth...it can happen in |
| Although a surrogacy pregnancy is very different | | | | a surrogate situation, to a birth mother who has |
| from having your own baby, some of the same | | | | given her child up for adoption or a mother who has |
| issues regarding Postpartum Depression are often | | | | planned her pregnancy. As hormones play a huge role |
| magnified by the surrogacy arrangement. A surrogate | | | | in Postpartum Depression with levels of cortisol, |
| may not be worried about feeling detached from the | | | | estrogen, and progesterone decreasing significantly |
| baby but may, instead, feel lonely for her IP's. | | | | within 48 hours after delivery, some women can be |
| Remember that Intended Parents and the surrogate, | | | | very sensitive to these changes. Other risk factors |
| along with her family, have spent a huge amount of | | | | might include, but are not limited to, poor support |
| time building a relationship via phone, e-mail, and face | | | | system at home, conflict in relationships including a |
| time. Personal details and intimate experiences have | | | | surrogacy relationship, feeling of loss of identity (she |
| been shared. (What is more intimate then carrying a | | | | is now a past surrogate and no longer in the |
| baby for someone else? Some IP's are even in the | | | | lime-light), feeling less attractive physically, pain and |
| Exam room when the embryos are transferred!) | | | | recovery of pregnancy with no baby in hand to |
| Let's toss the possibility of postpartum depression | | | | distract her, and feeling overwhelmed with enormity |
| into this already unusual situation and you can easily | | | | of the birth "handing over of the baby" to the |
| imagine how a surrogate can end up feeling lost and | | | | Intended Parents. |
| confused after the birth. The message has been sent | | | | Although Intended Parents can be sensitive to the |
| that feeling detached at birth is a good thing which, | | | | needs of their now past surrogate by making an |
| by human nature, is not a normal emotion when a | | | | effort to call, e-mail and check up on her in general, |
| baby is brought into this world. We want moms and | | | | there are things that she can do to help herself. She |
| babies to bond...but in this case it isn't what the | | | | should be setting realistic expectations for herself and |
| Intended Parents want to have happen unless it's | | | | her recovery, try to avoid isolation, surround herself |
| them doing the bonding! Add on top of this the fact | | | | with supportive friends and family, make time for |
| that the Surrogate has become very attached to her | | | | herself and talk to other surrogates. If the |
| Intended Parents. Because communication usually | | | | depression lasts for longer than 2 weeks, she should |
| ramps up near the end of the pregnancy, with more | | | | talk with her OB or midwife for recommendations. |
| phone calls, appointments and plans, IPs and their | | | | There are tests and medications available for severe |
| surrogate can be closer emotionally then ever before. | | | | postpartum depression. |
| Although the Surrogate is preparing her family for the | | | | Remember that Postpartum Depression in a |
| eventful day and the Intended Parents are checking | | | | surrogacy situation does not indicate that the match |
| their list to make sure all is in order on their end, the | | | | or relationship between the parties was flawed or |
| possibility of some sort of depression or even regret | | | | that the surrogate wanted to "keep the baby"...every |
| sneaking in can take everyone involved by surprise. | | | | Intended Parents nightmare. Instead it is a medical |
| Let's take a look at some of the signs of postpartum | | | | side effect that can happen in any birth situation. |
| depression some of which are listed on eMedicine | | | | Being concerned and aware of this possibility is not |
| Health: | | | | only wise but shows caring and respect for someone |
| -Postpartum Depression occurs in about 10-20% of | | | | who has offered the greatest gift to her Intended |
| women, usually within a few months of delivery. | | | | Parents, the gift of life. |