Of the most amazing moments in life is experiencing the birth of your very own child.  From discovering that you are pregnant, to finding out the gender, to the challenge of labor, the greatest reward is the new addition to your family.  It is awesome!

The very first thing for mom to do after birth is to physically bond with her child, skin-to-skin.  While nature knows this to be true, the medical process of childbirth has lowered this invaluable experience on the priority list.  Judith Goldsmith, author of Childbirth Wisdom from the World's Oldest Societies, discusses that the failure to experience this immediate bonding "can lead to confusion, depression, incompetence, and even rejection of the child by the mother."  We also understand that nursing is both a physical and physiological exchange between mother and child that is irreplaceable.  The first latch instills a great confidence in a mom as a nurturer and provider and sets the tone for an optimal nutrient exchange.

Even with a seemingly optimal birth and delivery that follows natures path, as many as 10-20% of new moms may experience postpartum depression, which can be personally debilitating and can have serious consequences for the baby.  The good news is that the ability to experience the immediate first bonding as been associated with a reduced incidence in postpartum depression.  It also reduces the probability of mental illness in the baby’s later life, and can increase his or her intelligence.

What else can be done?  The feeling of being alone and lacking a support system is extremely important to consider.  In fact even fathers can experience a form of this depression. Societally, a number of organizations, including the Anxiety and Depression Initiative in New Jersey have worked to help remove the negative stigma associated with moms afflicted with this challenge and provide support programs.  Dr. Michael Magwood, a family chiropractor practicing in New York City and Clifton, NJ, certified in Pediatric and Prenatal Chiropractic Care and member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, has been working to be part of the support system for moms as well, from both an emotional and clinical perspective.

Providing neurological based chiropractic (torque release technique) and auriculotherapy (microcurrent to stimulate cranial nerve function), Dr. Magwood's chiropractic team has made great strides in collaborating with Bernadette Silva, MA, CRC and her counseling services for those suffering from anxiety and depression, as well as any related addiction and compulsive behavior disorders. Combining these services with in house physical fitness and custom nutrition programs has generated a unique formula for success.

Bernadette Silva, MA, CRC also provides group and individual therapy and serves patients at Pure Balance Center.  She holds a Master’s degree from New York University in Counseling and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Baruch College. She opened up her practice in 1998 to provide individual counseling with a specialty in career counseling.

For more information, call the Pure Balance centers at (212)661-5656 in the Murray Hill neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan or (973)773-8244 in Clifton, New Jersey. Also visit the websites linked above.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional advice from your physician or other qualified health provider if you have any questions about a medical condition.