How to survive Post Partum Depression

Baby blues are one thing, but post partum depression is another. It makes you feel isolated and abnormal. The following steps can help you through this low time in your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Pen
• Someone to talk to

1. First, recognize that what you have is postpartum depression (PPD). The hospital probably sent you home with some reading material about PPD. Look over it. Admitting that you are suffering is the first step to getting better.

2. Try to get some extra sleep. That can be impossible with a new baby but if at all possible, get someone else to take the night shift at least once a week to give you a break. Things don't seem nearly as bad when you have had a good night's rest.

3. Write down your feelings. Start your own blog, or just write it all down on paper. Sometimes just getting those feelings out helps.

4. Understand that PPD is not your fault. PPD doesn't mean you are weak or can't handle motherhood. It simply means that your body is having a hard time adjusting to the hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy.

5. Give yourself time. Sometimes PPD makes it harder to bond with your new baby. That's OK. You will still bond and have a great relationship with your child, even if it takes longer than what seems "normal" to you.

6. There are many medications available that can help you get through this time. Again, taking them doesn't make you weak! Taking a medication for PPD can really help your body to get back to normal if it's not getting back to normal on it's own.

7. Believe that you are not the only one. Sometimes PPD makes you feel like a freak. You have a beautiful new baby and yet all you can do is cry. You don't want to get dressed or even get out of bed. You feel like a failure or at least unappreciative of this new baby. You aren't alone. It's more normal than most women will admit.

Tips & Warnings

• If at any time you feel that you may hurt yourself or your baby, tell someone immediately. Talk to your OB or midwife. They can help.

Resources

• Down Came the Rain by Brook Shields

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 2/21/2009 Good tips for dealing with the new baby and PPD. Thanks for this important information. 5*

[anniewrites]

on 2/9/2009 Great tips from a great lady. Thanks for sharing!

[Beckybugg]

on 1/25/2009 Very helpful article

[klnygaard]

on 1/21/2009 great information- post partum depression hurts many women, especially as they feel something is wrong that they are not "a happy mom" which just makes them feel worse. 5 stars

[hlthychoclitnut]

on 1/21/2009 This IS very important info so people don't think they are bad for feeling this way