Postpartum Depression As A New Mom

How To Manage Postpartum Depression As A New Mom

It’s a thing that stops postpartum moms in their tracks. It’s something no mom ever plans on experiencing, yet it happens. Postpartum depression. How can a joyous occasion like having a baby bring such darkness to moms? Postpartum depression is a real thing that needs to be addressed and talked about. The vital thing to know is that postpartum depression is not your fault. You didn’t cause it to happen. Let’s sit down and chat about postpartum depression. We’ll talk about recognizing the symptoms, and how to cope and heal from this difficult situation.

What is Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a period of depression experienced by moms after giving birth to a baby. It can happen soon after having a baby or anytime during the first 12 months of a baby’s life. Many factors cause a mom to fall into depression due to many changes in the mother’s life. Changes such as hormonal, physical, emotional, and behavior. Why does this happen? After a mom has a baby, her body transitions back to pre-pregnancy form. When you mix in hormone changes from breastfeeding, to sleep deprivation, to chemical changes in the brain, depression can set in. Moms don’t plan on getting postpartum depression. They didn’t do anything to bring this on. It typically is an involuntary response to all of the things mothers go through in the first year of their baby’s life.

Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression

It is totally normal for new moms to feel sad, especially in the weeks following having a baby.

What’s the difference between having the baby blues and having postpartum depression?

When you have the baby blues, you typically may have the urge to cry for no particular reason. You might feel sad or have anxiety for a period of time. The key with the baby blues is that the sadness naturally fades away, and you go back to feeling like yourself in about two weeks after feeling down. Knowing what the symptoms of postpartum depression are can help you see the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression.

What Are The Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a much more serious condition. Moms who experience the following symptoms for two weeks or more may have postpartum depression. Signs to look for include:

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or despair
Feeling incapable of caring for your baby or completing basic tasks
Frequent crying, sometimes for no reason
Feeling like you can’t bond with your baby
Loss of interest in things you enjoyed
Change in sleep habits not associated with taking care of a baby
Loss of focus or trouble remembering things
Change in appetite

Symptoms also interfere with daily functioning. You may notice in yourself or a loved one things like having a hard time getting out of bed, changing diapers, or doing basic self-care tasks.

Can Moms Prevent Postpartum Depression

Since most of the causes of postpartum depression are out of the mom’s control, there isn’t one thing a mother can do to prevent it. A mom can’t say, “I’ll only think happy thoughts” to avoid PPD (Postpartum Depression). The two things mothers can do to “prevent” postpartum depression is knowing their risk factors and what to do if they suspect they have PPD.

Postpartum Depression Risk Factors

Research has shown certain factors can increase a woman’s risk for developing PPD. According to Web MD, these include:

Past depression or postpartum depression
A family history of depression or mental illness
A traumatic life event during pregnancy — a death in the family, for example
Alcohol or drug abuse
Trouble during childbirth or issues with the baby’s health
Mixed feelings about the pregnancy

No strong support system

If you have dealt with one of these factors, you do have a higher risk of getting postpartum depression, but it doesn’t mean you will get it.

What To Do If You Believe You Have Postpartum Depression

Knowing what to do if you feel you have PPD is the best thing you can do to deal with this. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will be on your way to coping and healing.

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Call Your Doctor

The first step to recovery is making a call to your doctor. They will talk with you about your symptoms and how you are feeling. You may complete a PPD questionnaire or screener and have a blood test to look at your hormone levels. Once your doctor determines if you have PPD, he or she will guide you on treatment options.

Treatment For Postpartum Depression

Treatment for PPD typically involves therapy and taking prescribed antidepressants. PPD is different for everyone, and treatment varies. Some moms see a counselor, and some just take medication, and others do both. You and your doctor will figure out a plan that works for you. Seeing a mental health therapist will give you a person to talk to. You will have a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings and get expert guidance on how to deal with everything you’re going through. Prescription medications can help relieve you of your depressive symptoms. Most antidepressants are safe to take while breastfeeding with the right dosage. With treatment, you will see an improvement in your postpartum depression. There are other things you can do to cope as you deal with PPD.

How To Live With PPD

Living with PPD can be difficult because you still have a baby to take care of. While you work on treatment and see improvements with your PPD here are some things you can do to help with your healing:

Talk to your spouse, trusted friend, or family member.
Take time to do something for yourself, even if it’s just for a short break. Ask someone to fill in for you while you’re out.
Journal. Express your feelings by writing them down.
Celebrate the small things, like a parking space close to the door, baby falling asleep easily, a sunny day.
Ask for help when you need it. You are still a great mom if you need help.
Find support in friends, family, or a support group. Try not to isolate yourself.
Eat a healthy diet.
Get some exercise, a simple walk around the block is good.
Take it easy and get rest when you can.

Get help right away if you ever feel like you have thoughts about harming yourself or your baby.

Things To Remember With Postpartum Depression

You are not alone living with postpartum depression. You have loved ones and professionals here to help you through. Many moms deal with postpartum depression too. This topic may not get talked about, but 1 out of 10 moms experience PPD. Having PPD does not make you a bad mom. Postpartum depression is a medical condition. You can’t control if you get a cold. Same with PPD. There is nothing you did wrong to get this. Postpartum depression is very treatable, and you will be able to move on from this season in life and get back to enjoying life with your baby.

My Postpartum Depression Story

Mommy, you are not alone. I have suffered from postpartum depression. I know it can be frustrating and confusing as to how it can happen to you. But, just know, the best thing you can do is get help. You need to be at your best to be all you need to be for your family.

I suffered from depression way before my postpartum stage. I went through a traumatic event before getting pregnant. On top of that, I was sent my pregnancy alone away from my husband because he had to go back overseas (dual military). I was over 400 miles away from my “local” family with no car (car with my local family).

To add on, I was now in transitioning out of the military, which I didn’t plan on before my traumatic event.

My whole world was taking an extreme U-turn and rerouting itself to another destination.

While I was pregnant, I was seeing a therapist, and I was offered medicine but my body at the time didn’t accept it (which was fine with me, because I didn’t really want to take any meds while I was pregnant).

After I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, I noticed a can of worms was opened that I didn’t know was in the works.

My depression reached a whole new level. I was bothered by traumatic events from the past ten times more than before. I grew super protective and possessive with my daughter. But at the same time, I would have random suicidal thoughts. I came to the point that I felt like I NEEDED MEDS for my condition.

So, I got help, and I’m super happy I did. Because Lord knows, what could have happened if I didn’t?

I did end up changing meds again after a while because the first medication wasn’t right for me.

But the overall point and take-home message is to get help, momma!

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Postpartum Depression

You are not alone! It is not your fault. You will make it through! Please don’t let my heartfelt story go to waste. If you are feeling like you are suffering from Postpartum Depression, please get help. As always, please share this post with your friends and family on social media (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). Help change someone’s life for the better! Please feel free to encourage a fellow mother in the comment section below and or share your postpartum depression experience.

How To Manage Postpartum Depression As A New Mom