Postpartum depression

epeytonw

My son is 1 month old and instead of this being the happiest time of my life, like it should, be I am a complete mess. My doctor put me on medicine yesterday, but any recommendations on what I can do until it kicks in? I feel like I spend all my time crying. I feel like a terrible mother because I get so worked up and overwhelmed sometimes and just have to get away from my son for a little bit. I love him so much and want so bad to be enjoying this time, but cannot seem to get over this sadness that just makes no sense to me. So ready to feel better and normal again, I do not understand why I feel this way.

doremi29

I'm sorry you're dealing with PPD.  Hopefully the meds will help ASAP!  Until then, try to get outside, get some fresh air, go on a walk, etc.  Hang in there mama!

Gris0630

I had PPD after my first and it was eye opening. Hormones and utter exhaustion are to blame, not you. First of all, you are not a horrible mom. You are a very strong momma for reaching out! Remember that. Second, you're not alone and you will get better in time. I also started meds about 4 weeks PP, and while they don't reach a fully therapetutic level for 4-6 weeks, they do start to help sooner. After about a week, I noticed I didn't hate every second of my life. That may have been the meds starting to help or maybe it was just knowing I had reached out and help was on the way. After about 3 weeks on meds I noticed I was having a lot more 'good' days and a huge decrease in crying. The most important thing is to have a strong support system, and they may not know what to do to help, so you may actually have to tell them what you need. Do it! If it's having your husband do some night feeds, then tell him. Or if you need to get out, tell someone how they could help that way, whether going with you (I craved adult interaction during those days) or having them sit with baby. Sleep and eating healthy will help you also. You may benefit from a few counseling sessions. If you go that route, make sure the therapist has experience with PPD. Go to Pospartum Support Internationals website, www.postpartum.net and check under local resources.  They have volunteer peer support people listed out for each state. They can talk with you and often help find your community resources and your area may have supprt groups listed there. PPD sucks and blindsides you, but stay in the fight and you will get better! Take care!

ClandestineX

You are not a bad mother, PPD is a chemical/hormonal thing that your conscious self cannot control... It happens to some women, at least you are getting the medication you need, it takes a week or two to kick in I hear.

A natural way to curb depression is exercise and better diet, not even kidding. 

SPIJaimie

doremi29:

I'm sorry you're dealing with PPD.  Hopefully the meds will help ASAP!  Until then, try to get outside, get some fresh air, go on a walk, etc.  Hang in there mama!

This exactly. I had a sadness/overwhelmed/anxious feeling for 2-3 weeks. It helped SO SO MUCH to get out and walk.. even for 20 minutes. Know that LO loves you right back and that in a few short weeks they will start smiling and laughing (some of the best medicine around!). I will definitely be thinking and praying for you!

jaime52005

SPIJaimie:

doremi29:

I'm sorry you're dealing with PPD.  Hopefully the meds will help ASAP!  Until then, try to get outside, get some fresh air, go on a walk, etc.  Hang in there mama!

This exactly. I had a sadness/overwhelmed/anxious feeling for 2-3 weeks. It helped SO SO MUCH to get out and walk.. even for 20 minutes. Know that LO loves you right back and that in a few short weeks they will start smiling and laughing (some of the best medicine around!). I will definitely be thinking and praying for you!

Agree! Hang in there

CrazyMary77

I was very depressed for the first 3 weeks PP and felt no connection to my LO even though I knew I should have been so happy. We can't help it. It's not our fault. What helped me a lot was talking to my mom and DH about how I felt. Talk to someone who is supportive. Don't keep your feelings to yourself. And do activities you enjoy when you can. If you have someone who can watch your son while you go out and do something, like shop or get your nails done or take a walk, etc. Force yourself if you have to, and you won't regret it. Hang in there! This will pass.

epeytonw

Thank y'all for the advice and support! Its a relief to know its not just me. I will definitely try these things

ka2shaz

I had it wit my first. For me, the meds helped within days, and I hope it happens quickly for you, too!

Annelea

You are not a bad mother, all the crazy hormones & imbalances can do a number on your body. Hang in there!  My new saying is being a new mommy is not for wimps! 

 

dalzien

Our daughter was born in March, and my husband is actually going through PPD. It seems like one day after she was born he just forgot how to smile. He is going to weekly counseling with a doctor to help, and if talking doesn't help he will have to start taking medication. He has an evaluation next week. The doctor told him to try to get outside more, and to attempt to do things that he loved to do before our LO was born. He also showed him how to do some breathing techniques for when it all becomes too overwhelming. Just remember that it is always alright to just walk away when you feel you are at the end of your rope, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

MelTwe

Another suggestion would be to have your thyroid checked.  Having my daughter triggered Graves' disease for me.  I never had negative feelings toward the baby, but was very overwhelmed and emotional most of the time.  Many of the symptoms of thyroid issues are hard to distinguish from just having a newborn.  I hope your medication works quickly for you.

lmilab

Sorry you're facing that. Sometimes physical exhaustion and postpartum pain could drive anyone to the brink.

As mention above the best was to combat is walk/run with baby or without in fresh air, preferably in the sun. Take at least one hour to yourself in the day, it might be when little one naps or sleeps at night. Read or watch something for fun.

Take pain meds if you feel any kind of pain: headache, backache, any kind of ache = you do not need that kind of load on top of baby care. I had a c-section with my last and it WAS bad, I had taken THE drug and between the doses i took Motrin.

Healthy diet if possible (my little guy can't tolerate me eating veggies or fruit even if its cooked), so I make sure to supplement with vitamins and nuts.

Fish oil has great benefits to lighten your outlook, try 5 grams (5capsules) a day. Another natural supplement to lift the mood is St. John's Wort.

Best of luck and do not despair, hormones will stabilize soon and you'll be back enjoying your every moment with your little one!

ChristyFalco

I just read a fantastic article titled The Postpartum Brain by Anna J. Abramson and wanted to share a few points regarding Postpartum Anxiety | Depression:

• Postpartum Anxiety and/or Depression is the #1 complication of childbirth. 
• Symptoms can appear any time during pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth.
• Some cases of postpartum depression may be linked to changes in women’s hormone levels after they give birth, particularly in mothers who are already vulnerable to depression. 
  
• Postpartum depression likely has a genetic basis 
  
• Symptoms of depression and anxiety can overlap
  
• "Listening to their babies cry triggers a deeply anxious neural response even in parents who hadn’t been diagnosed with a psychological problem."
  

I would like to echo the comment above by Gris0630. Postpartum Support International is the best resource for finding support for this issue. Their website has a simple search tool for finding information in each state regarding crisis hotlines, counselors, support groups, events, etc.

A great blog for moms experiencing Postpartum Stress, Depression and/or Anxiety: Postpartum Progress by Katherine Stone - a PPD/A "survivor" and advocate.

Finally, don't forget the dads! This is a great site that serves as an informational resource for dads whose partners are suffering from Postpartum mood/anxiety disorders. It is called Postpartum Dads and is chock full of advice and real stories.