Do I carry the Postpartum Mood Disorder (PPMD) gene?  Did I pass the gene onto my babies?  By the time my 13 and 10 year old daughter have children will they be tested for the PPMD gene?  Could I have passed the gene onto my son who may pass the gene onto his daughters if he has any?

What about women who don't carry the gene?  Could they still get PPMD?
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>So many questions - yet maybe we are finally going to get some answers.  There's</strong> <strong>exciting news in the world of research surrounding Postpartum Mood Disorder - a small study by John Hopkins researchers have discovered that there are <a title="Genetic Predictors for PPMD" href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130521105256.htm" target="_blank">Genetic Predictors for Postpartum Mood Disorder.  </a></strong></p>
So if I knew I carried the PPMD gene would that have changed the outcome?  I didn't have many noticeable symptoms when my first daughter was born.  With my second it was extreme mood swings and OCD.  By my third it was debilitating anxiety  - so if I had carried "the gene" would I have been receiving a different level of care from my doctors?  Would I have still just been offered an anti-depressant and that's all? Would it have changed the fact that I didn't even know about postpartum OCD? or postpartum anxiety?

<strong>I'm thrilled with this new research and hope that larger studies will confirm that a blood test could be a useful tool.  It doesn't mean we can drop the ball on awareness about all the types of PPMD and all the different options to treatment.  </strong>

Postpartum Mood Disorder can take many forms including anxiety, OCD (intrusive thoughts &amp; visions), depression, bi-polar and life-threatening psychosis.  Postpartum Psychosis is a medical emergency if you suspect you or someone you know is suffering seek immediate medical attention.

To read more of my blog posts about PPMD:

<a title="Is Half a Postpartum Plan Better Than No Plan at All?" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/is-half-a-postpartum-plan-better-than-no-plan-at-all/">Is Half a Postpartum Plan Better Than No Plan at All?</a>

<a title="Screening for Thyroid Disorders Before Pregnancy" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/screening-for-thyroid-disorders-before-pregnancy/" target="_blank">Screening for Thyroid Disorders Before Pregnancy</a>

<a title="My Postpartum OCD" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/my-postpartum-ocd/" target="_blank">My Postpartum OCD</a>

<a title="PPMD: Balance my Body Don’t Shock My Brain" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/ppmd-balance-my-body-dont-shock-my-brain/" target="_blank">PPMD: Balance My Body Don't Shock My Brain</a>

<a title="PPMD not PPD please" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/ppmd-not-ppd-please/" target="_blank">PPMD not PPD Please</a>

<a title="Postpartum Anxiety Part 1 – My Heart did Loop-de-loops – I thought I was dying…" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/my-heart-did-loop-de-loops/" target="_blank">Postpartum Anxiety Part 1: My Heart Did Loop-de-Loops - I thought I was dying </a>(trigger warning)

<a title="Postparmum Anxiety Part 2 – I thought I was dying…again…" href="http://www.hormonesoup.com/postpartum-anxiety-part-2-i-thought-i-was-dying-again/" target="_blank">Postpartum Anxiety Part 2: I thought I was dying again</a>  (trigger warning)

PPMD

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