postpartum depression

Not getting enough rest as a new mom can really acerbate PPD. Can you get help from friends or other family members once your husband goes back to work so that you can get enough rest?

You're right on top of this, getting therapy and meds. Having a strong network of supportive family and friends is also important. PPD does go away. It usually goes away once the series of tidal waves of hormones stop crashing around inside you.

I had depression and anxiety issues both before and after my baby was born, but those were from pre-existing crud, not PPD. So I can't speak from that point of view, but I can say that the thing that saved me was sleep. Being able to take naps when the baby slept is what kept me sane. Especially since I was breastfeeding and never got more than four hours of sleep in one go for longer than I care to think about.

Is there a PPD support group in your area or online that you can go to to talk?
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"If you want your children to be bright, read them fairytales-- if you want them to be brilliant, read them even more fairytales" Albert Einstein

I have a lot of family members who have taken medication for different types of depression. You are right that 3 weeks is not very long, plus sometimes people find they need to increase the dose eventually. So I want to be encouraging that they will likely start to work.

Hi Tara,

I wish I could say more to help, but I know that when you are really depressed it is hard to believe that things will get better, now matter how often you hear it. Nonetheless, it will, and good for you for taking action to speed your recovery along. For us "in control" types, it helps to feel that we're taking all the steps we can to feel better, even if change doesn't come as quickly as we'd like.

As you know, not only will the medication become more effective in the next few weeks, but it's very likely that your family will start to adjust to the new addition, and he/she to your family, and that will also give you some relief.

As far as the financial burden of getting some help with childcare -- do it! You have your whole life to "catch up" with any additional expenses you have now, but you know from experience that infancy is brief, and with your second child it will seem even shorter. Also, intervening with some good help now will very likely be less expensive than whatever expenses you face if you don't take care of yourself and require, say, hospitalization (it happens much more often than most people realize!).

After my first daughter was born I had very severe PPD, and on the advice of my therapist I joined a MOMS group, something very counter to my usual non-joiner nature. It was a true lifesaver and I am forever grateful that I followed her advice. Other moms understand and want to help -- they can offer free childcare or just a friendly place to hang out and have a cup of coffee if you feel the walls are closing in!

Take care of yourself, keep praying, and please check in with us often!

Shaun
"Home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks."
   -- G. K. Chesterton

I had terrible ppd and pp anxiety attacks after my last child (now almost 2yo) He was my 4th child and Id never had symptoms that were bothersome with any of the others though I do now realise I had some subtle warning signs with them. It was probably the hardest couple months of my life. Just knowing what was wrong with me was the biggest relief but nothing really made it go away not even meds. Time was the only thing that healed it. I also breastfed and got little sleep as he ate almost every hour and a half the first few weeks. My husband was also his primary care giver as I was too afriad to hold him long or give him a bath. I found the best thing I could do for myself was get out. A half hour walk. A trip to the grocery store. Just some little time I could steal away for just me. The ladies here at THN were a huge help too. Whenever I felt like it was too much I would just come here and pour my heart out. Talking about it to someone who will listen and be entierly sympathetic helps. My husband doesnt work at this time (he is disabled) so I never had to face him going back to a job. I definitly encourage you to get that nanny or if you cant afford it maybe you can make a list of people you know, trust, and like, and see who will come sit with you and what days of the week they can. That way you can have a rotating group and dont over extend anyone. Grandmas most of the time will be glad to come even if you dont want to tell them what your going through just asking if they can help out a couple of days a couple of weeks makes them happy. Use the time for yourself. It is OKAY to be selfish right now. Your body has went through a whirl wind and hormones are not always kind to us women. I wish I could tell you a date to mark on your calendar that it will go away but it isnt like that. It goes away very gradually. Celebrate every day you feel even a little better. Im pregnant with baby five and I have been thinking alot about if i will go through it again. Im preparing this time by talking with my doctor and writing down just what I felt before in a journal so later I can be comforted that nothing I go through means im "nuts" or a "freak".
I can tell you a good mother your doing everything you can. You just allow yourself to feel what you do. The guilt can be one of the worst parts. Make it your mantra every day not to give in to guilt that will feed the depression. You will go through alot of emotionally hard times as your baby grows into a child and one day this will be a memory of a battle you won. One of many, Im sure.

In the end the best help I can give you is to tell you, you are not alone. Alot of us moms feel these things and its different for each of us. Its hard for all of us. Keep your head up and remeber all of us here are thinking good thoughts for you.

I've never experinced it or if I have it was very mild so I don't have advice so much as just another ear to listen.

Hope all is well and please check in soon.
Jamie Lea