Women and their families throughout the Valley are invited to attend. Registration is $20.00 and includes a dinner.
Fresno mom and business owner, Gena Kirby celebrates the joy of motherhood with customers that become friends at her northeast Fresno maternity boutique and parenting resource center, "Mommy Matters."
But there was a time when she suffered some dark days...after giving birth to her second daughter.
She believes it's crucial to talk openly about her postpartum depression.
Kirby said, "I woke up crying and couldn't stop crying."
She tells the story of her crisis point when she thought the unthinkable.
While walking with her two children along a busy street, she fought the urge to step into traffic
"Then everything would be better and I wouldn't feel this way anymore and they wouldn't have to have a horrible mom...and that thought when it occurred to me, didn't sound crazy. Then two seconds later, oh my gosh, did I really think that?" said Kirby.
Kirby received therapy and chose homeopathic treatments to recover along with the help of family and friends.
Research shows, you or a woman you know, likely suffered from postpartum depression.
"It's the most common complication of pregnancy" said Jeannie McNair, Director of Maternal Child Services at Community Regional Medical Center.
McNair said it's critical to show women, they can get treatment for unsettling feelings that are more than just the baby blues.
Symptoms include "feeling like they are not happy on a daily basis. Not the come and go kind of thing. It's consistent and they typically don't enjoy things they usually do", McNair said.
Gena Kirby said she's grateful she found her answer and makes it her mission to help other moms.
"Giving yourself permission to feel like that is really important and to know that you're not the only person", Kirby said.
Postpartum Depression Seminar
UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education and Research
155 North Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93702
March 25, 2008 - 5:15-8:30pm
Parking will be allowed in the UCSF Fresno permit only lot for this seminar.
Contact: (559) 499-6532
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