Womb to Bloom - Maternity & Beyond

Post partum depression can be a very scary thing to deal with. There are so many news articles about crazy mothers who do terrible things to their kids because of post partum depression. Don’t worry. These cases are very rare and on the extreme end of things. While post partum depression is no walk in the park, it can be managed.

I have a history of depression that started in my early teens. I went through some very difficult times between bad relationships and a very negative self-image. When I met my husband I improved significantly, but never truly stabilized completely. While I had been on meds for a while, by the time I got pregnant for the first time I was off meds and doing very well.

Pregnancy was an emotional rollercoaster for me. My darling hubby put up with me throughout, and in the end we had a darling baby boy. At first things went well. Sure, I had the baby blues, but that was normal. Or so I thought… Three months later my mood had not significantly improved. I wasn’t getting much done and was having a tough time coping. With my doctor’s help I decided to go onto medication and seek treatment.

Being depressed with a little one is very difficult. It is hard to feel motivated to get anything done. The house gets messier every day and you feel like a failure for not keeping up with the things that you imagine that every other mother should be able to manage. The thing is, you are not alone. A remarkable number of women suffer post partum depression to some degree or another.

Having a history of depression definitely makes you more likely to have difficulties after your child is born. The hormonal ups and downs of pregnancy are hard even on those who do not have imbalances before hand, and they can really topple you over the edge if you are already prone to depressive episodes.

Fortunately there is a lot of help out there. If you are even slightly concerned about depression, talk to your doctor. There are lots of medications available that are safe for breastfeeding and can help you with your moods. Sometimes a little medicine is all it takes to lift you from the depressive state and allow you to function at a normal level. Most anti-depressants are not addictive and are easy to wean off of when you are ready to move on.

You can also look for counseling. Sometimes all you need is someone you can talk to about your concerns and difficulties. A person who will not tell you to “buck up”, or suggest that you are somehow lacking because you can’t cope. Often friends and family members are helpful, but many don’t understand the nature of depression and can in fact make things worse rather than better.

When I had my second child I was prepared. Knowing that post partum depression was an issue with my first I spoke to my doctor ahead of time and warned her that I might need medication. After my daughter arrived the first night was great. The second night however was terrible. She cried and cried. I cried and cried. After sending her to the nurses to let them care for her so I could get some sleep, I decided not to take any chances and talk to my doctor in the morning. My prescription was written the very next day. While I might have only been suffering baby blues, I was not taking any chances. I have not regretted my decision. Caring for my daughter has been a joy thanks to my more stable emotions. I do not have the fear of depression hovering over my head. I know that I made the right decision for myself and for my daughter.

If your “baby blues” last more than a week or two, or you are concerned that you are not able to cope with your child, don’t be afraid to seek help. You don’t need to be crippled by those feelings. Whether you decide to take medication, or try counseling don’t be afraid to ask for help. Post partum depression is a very real thing and if untreated can escalate into an uncontrollable spiral of ill feelings. There is lots of help available and it is nothing to be afraid of.

Any previous history of depression makes it far more likely that you will become depressed after pregnancy, so be prepared and talk to your doctor about it before your baby is born. Explore your options so that when you are in an emotional turmoil you will already have a plan to set into action. You won’t regret it.