What is Postpartum Depression… and what you can do about it
Postpartum depression can happen after labor and delivery; however, symptoms can begin in pregnancy. During pregnancy, four hormones elevate and drop dramatically after giving birth. These are Placental lactogen, cortisol, estradiol, and progesterone. The rise and fall of these hormones can contribute to the ups and downs in our mood.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression include:
Scary thoughts/Intrusive thoughts: These are thoughts that pop into our head randomly. They can be scary because many times they are about someone you love getting hurt, like your baby or ways you could hurt your baby or someone else.
Hopelessness: the feeling that nothing can be done to change your situation or the possibility that something can be different does not even come to mind.
Thoughts of death/dying: This may include thinking of suicide or that you or your family would be better if you were not here.
Rage: Feeling easily irritated, yelling, losing your patience over things that didn’t faze you in the past or that would not have bothered you as much.
Inability to feel pleasure or joy: You may lack interest in activities you used to enjoy or you do them but they don’t lift your mood like they used to.
Other symptoms include weight change or appetite disturbance, sleeping too much or not being able to sleep, fatigue, excessive guilt and poor concentration and indecisiveness.
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
The recommended treatment for postpartum depression is a combination of medication and therapy; however, you get to decide what is right for you. It could be only medication. It could be therapy alone. It could be both.
Joining a support group can be helpful. Postpartum Support International has many support groups held virtually and locally. You can find them here.
But here is what you can do today…
Activate your support system
Who are the people around you? Your partner or spouse? A parent or sibling? Or a friend who was in your shoes not too long ago?
Tell the people around you what you need. Is it time to sleep? A shower or a meal? Some time out of the house? Everyone finds different things helpful so they may not know how to help. If someone can’t help, it’s ok, move on to the next person. There are many more years of being a parent and they might come through at a different time.
Add movement into your day
Whatever movement you can do will help. Walk around the house with your baby. Take some time to stretch. As long as you have been cleared by your doctor, making a habit of movement can trigger those endorphins that help lift our mood.
Establish a schedule
Adding a little predictability to such an unpredictable time can also help. It can look like establishing a routine of walking before baby’s first nap or having a routine with a support person who you can visit, text or call at lunchtime.
Find time to sleep
I hate to say this one because it can be so hard to come by restful sleep in those earlier weeks but getting sleep when you can will help you get the energy you need to fight through some of the feelings and worries.
Again if you are struggling with the symptoms named above, reach out for support to your medical doctor, a support group or a mental health professional. This information is not therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy. There are virtual support groups and many places have local in-person groups if that is your preference.
As a mom that struggled with the transition to parenting, I know how hard it can be get started and understand what you need. I can help you sort out the thoughts and feelings that may be keeping you from feeling like yourself.
If you are curious what therapy with me would be like, click here for more information.
Email me at lillybeth@therapysecure.com or call/text me at (916) 905-3368 to schedule a free 20 minute consultation.
