Let's be honest, becoming a new mom is a lot to take in. Sometimes when you bring a new human being in the world, your body brings you some new overwhelming hormones and emotions. Postpartum depression is a scary thing for new moms and it's a hard topic to bring up but let's start talking about it.
When it comes to postpartum depression, one in nine women suffer from postpartum depression in the US according to the CDC.
Postpartum depression is overwhelming. It can bring the happiest of moms down and anyone can be a victim.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in postpartum women.
After giving birth, hormones in the female body are all out of whack and sometimes we call the sadness caused by these hormones, "baby blues." The main difference between baby blues and postpartum depression is postpartum doesn't go away on its own but baby blues usually go away after about two weeks. While postpartum can last weeks or months without treatment and this is why it's important for mothers to reach out for help.
There are signs to when you have postpartum depression and here are some: a loss of interest in things, eating more or less than normal, overwhelming sadness, excessive crying, anger, sleeping too much or not enough, withdrawing yourself from loved ones, and thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
Admitting you have postpartum depression is insanely hard as a new mom. It's hard to admit after bringing a beautiful tiny human into this world, that something feels wrong. Postpartum depression may make one feel like a bad mom and it may feel embarrassing to admit feelings of depression and not feeling like yourself, but it's important to remember that it's a disease and it's curable with help, one must just reach out.
I had my daughter eighteen-months ago. I had my daughter early, at 33 weeks, after facing some early problems. My daughter got put inside the NICU for about a month, so for the first few weeks after I believed I was just having normal baby blues since I didn't get to bring my baby home. As time went on my depression got worse. I was becoming irritable, constantly upset, and distancing myself from my friends and loved ones. Then my friends and family started pointing out that I may be going through postpartum depression. There was just one problem: I didn't want to admit I had postpartum depression.
I believed that admitting I had postpartum depression made me a bad mom, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
It wasn't me, it was hormones. My body, as well as myself, had gone through a lot. From problems during pregnancy, having my daughter earlier than expected to my husband leaving for a while because of his job, it was a lot to take in for only being twenty-two. So I decided it was time to start talking and get help from my doctor. It was crazy how much better I started feeling after treatment. I slowly became happier with time, my doctors help, and the support of my loved ones.
Treatment is very important when dealing with postpartum depression. When you or a loved one is feeling depressed after childbirth, it's important to reach out to a doctor. Treatment varies depending on what works for you and your body. Talking works for a lot of people, there are support groups filled with moms who have gone or are going through what you are and psychiatrists. While medication or hormone therapy may work for other moms. Just remember if taking medication for anxiety or depression that those medications can sometimes make symptoms worse, so watch out. And if you ever feel like hurting yourself or your child, put them in the crib, walk away, and call a loved one for help.
Remember postpartum isn't who you are and it's important to ask for help so you can become the best, happy mom possible for your little ones.
If you or a loved one is suffering from postpartum depression, the support line for PPD is 1-800-944-4773 or visit postpartum.net.
