Atlanta women's OBGYN confirms that the period after a mother has a baby, she can be filled with countless emotions. You may feel anything from joy to fear to sadness. If your feelings of sadness become severe and start to interfere with your everyday life, you may be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD).

These symptoms usually start within a few weeks of delivery, though they may develop up to six months afterward. There are things you can do at home to help cope with everyday life. Let's dive in.

Exercise when you can
Atlanta women's OBGYN says that researchers in Australia explain that exercise may have an antidepressant effect for women with PPD. In particular, walking with a baby in a stroller might be an easy way to get in some steps and breathe fresh air. Can’t fit in a long exercise session? Try working out for 10 minutes a few times during the day. Simple workouts that you can do without any equipment works.

Maintain a healthy diet
Healthy eating alone won’t cure PPD. Still, getting into the habit of eating nutritious foods can help you feel better and give your body the nutrients you need. Try planning the week’s meals on the weekend and even preparing healthy snacks ahead of time. Think of whole foods, such as chopped carrots and cubed cheese or apple slices and peanut butter, that are easy to grab on the go.

Create time for yourself
Atlanta women's OBGYN says that sometimes, mothers may feel stuck on the couch breastfeeding. Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed by work, household responsibilities, or other children. Instead of dealing with these stresses alone, reach out for help. Take up your mother-in-law on her offer of free babysitting. Let your partner or another trusted adult take the baby for an hour or two.

When to see your doctor
Atlanta women's OBGYN says that although many women experience the “baby blues” in the first several weeks following delivery, PPD is marked by deeper and longer-lasting feelings of sadness and agitation. These feelings can get worse and become chronic depression without medical help.

It’s a good idea to make an appointment with your OBGYN if you notice feelings of depression after birth, especially if they don’t fade after a couple of weeks or get worse with time. Only around 15 percent of women ever seek treatment for their symptoms, despite the importance of treatment. Your doctor can point you in the right direction to get the support you need.

Top Atlanta women's OBGYN
Should you require an OBGYN in Atlanta? Worry no more. Just book a consultation with your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Your OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta this week wants to talk about orgasm during pregnancy. It can feel like pregnancy changes everything.

In some ways, it does. You’re skipping your favorite sushi place and reaching for well-done steak instead. The smallest odors seem to have you rushing to the toilet to throw up, and even sitcoms can leave you in an emotional puddle of tears. You’ve asked your OB everything under the sun, from whether you can have beef jerky to if your belly button will become an outie — and why.

But there’s one subject you’re wondering about that you’ve felt a little uncomfortable bringing up: the big O.
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So, is it OK to have an orgasm during pregnancy? 
Let’s take a closer look at orgasm safety, sensations in the first, second, and third trimesters, and a big myth about orgasms bringing on labor — debunked. Grab a glass of tea and let's get started.

Is it ever not safe to have an orgasm during pregnancy?
OBGYNs say, when it comes to sex during pregnancy, there’s a lot that can cause hesitation: You may not feel “in the mood,” thanks to hormones and morning sickness; your partner may worry about “poking the baby” or otherwise hurt you, and you both may have concerns about orgasms and uterine contractions.
Always check with your doctor about whether you, specifically, are OK to have sex. But if your doctor hasn’t told you otherwise, and your pregnancy is low risk, it’s generally completely safe to get it on between the sheets.
However, if you have any of the following, your doctor may indeed tell you to abstain from sexual activity:

• spotting or bleeding
• incompetent cervix
• Vasa Previa
• placenta preview

Also, don’t have sex if your water has already broken. Amniotic fluid forms a protective barrier between your baby and the outside world — without it, you’re more at risk for infection.

What is pelvic rest?
If your doctor puts you on “pelvic rest” and hasn’t explained what that means, absolutely ask questions. It usually means no vaginal sex because your pregnancy is considered high risk. Since you can achieve orgasm without penetrative sex, it’s worth clarifying what’s off-limits.

Best OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
​Pregnant and wondering if you could get under the bed sheet or not? We know this is an uncomfortable topic but it's totally fine to wonder. Call us today to learn more about your pregnancy status, should you need a pelvic rest, or if you are good to go O! Book a consultation with your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.