Postpartum Depression

I was lucky to be pregnant with Caroline at the same a few of my girlfriends were pregnant, and we made a pact.  Since postpartum depression can be hard to spot in yourself, we made a pact to watch out for each other.  Postpartum depression can be very serious, obviously.  When you’re a new mom it’s easy to get caught up in taking care of your baby, and taking care of yourself is the last thing on your mind.  Some moms instantly know—“something is wrong with me and I need help now.“  Others, can’t see postpartum depression in themselves and it takes a loved one to step in and say, “let’s go get you help.“  Amen for girlfriends, I tell ya.

For many women, there is nothing better in life than giving birth to a new baby, but 80% of new moms go through some soft of postpartum depression.  I didn’t realize it was that high, but it makes sense.  Now, there is some new research out today about why we go through it.  It has to do with hormones (no kidding!) and how blood flow affects our hormones.  We’ll be talking about this on First at 4 today, but I wanted to give you all a heads up on it.  This research comes out of the Medical College of George, and comes down to blood flow in the weeks after birth and how it plays with our serotonin levels.  Darn those hormones!

I thought this was HUGE, because if we can figure out why, then we can learn more about treating it, too, and hopefully helping women enjoy being a new mom instead of being stuck in the baby blues.  80% of us go through it—wow—that just floors me.  There is no reason NOT to get help, and we really have to look out for each other. 

Did you struggle with postpartum depression?  If so, what finally worked for you?  Let’s chat…

Happy Thursday….the weekend is right around the corner!
Ellie

i had luci in late november. it was cold, i had a c-section, i struggled with breastfeeding, we traveled for the holidays and i couldn’t stop crying.  i cried and cried and cried.  my husband was worried, i was worried.  i didn’t know what to do.  when january came and i got back into a more “normal” routine, i felt so much better.  i knew i suffered from a little PPD but i blamed it mostly on the cold, winter weather and i was sure i’d be fine the next time around.

so jack came in july.  the weather was warmer, i was not going to try to breastfeed, i was familiar with having the c-section.  i would be totally fine.  wrong!  again, i cried and cried and cried. 

i never wanted to hurt myself or the babies, but i wanted to be anywhere but where i was. and even now, as relive these emotions as i type, i still can’t even really get a grasp on what i was feeling.  it is such an indescribable, out-of-body experience.  both times, it gradually went away after about 6 or 8 weeks.  i didn’t need any medication or strong intervention, just support from my family and my girlfriends and i eventually felt like myself again.  i think what i had was more than just the baby blues, but definitely not to the extent that many women suffer, and my heart really goes out to them.
this is such an important topic and i think it’s wonderful that you are going to be talking about it today!

~CENA
http://www.RealMomsRock.com

My experiences were mild but I had a great support system.  My husband was absolutely wonderful.  Our first was colicky and being a first time mom I wanted to be everything to her.  When she couldn’t be soothed my husband kindly took her from me, laid her down in her crib and lead me out of her room.  I of course was bawling and thinking she hated me.  He reassured me that that wasn’t the case and I slowly came to realize it was well.  Funny thing is each time it took less and less time to calm down and fall asleep on her own.

When daughter #2 came around I was more confident in myself as a mother.  The blues were less than the first time around. I mostly cried because I was just so darn tired from of taking care of a newborn as well as having an active 2 year old. This is why I believe the lack of sleep and the stress of adjusting the “to do” list (laundry, meals, cleaning, etc.)can play a hand in addition to the whole hormones being out of whack.

I would agree, just being able to talk about this goes a long way!  Many of the extreme stories we have heard or read about seem to have the same common theme, lack of support.  We have to keep talking and stick together!!

It all started for me about a month before I had my son - and got worse. I felt awful, and like no one really understood how I was feeling. It was so overwhelming - like being a first time mom isn’t overwhelming enough! Thankfully I had a wonderful obgyn who talked with me and tried to help. I started taking medication about a month after my son was born, but it didnt seem to help. My cluody skies finally began to clear up about the time my son turned one. Things really seem to be going well now - and I am so thankful for the beautiful child who is the light of my life every day!