A Joyously Dark Time - How to Deal with Postpartum and Still Enjoy your Baby

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A Joyously Dark Time - How to Deal with Postpartum and Still Enjoy your Baby

Postpartum depression (PPD) is often referred to as “baby blues” and not understood by the majority of society, many times least of all the new mother! More than 50 percent of women who give birth experience this form of depression in some degree. The length of time that postpartum depression lasts can vary from a few weeks to months or longer. A woman’s body is going through immense hormonal changes and this may one of the factors that initiate postpartum depression. Add to that the new mother is sleep deprived, the baby is crying and requires what seems like non-stop attention and the normal reasoning can be thrown right out the window. Usually the new mother’s body rebounds, the hormones level out, the routines are figured out and everyone is smiling and hopefully sleeping again.

There are some new mothers and even mothers who have had more than one child who do not follow this pattern and they will experience a severe from of postpartum depression. Along with the normal new mother experiences she will also experience anxiety, insomnia and irritability along with difficulty concentrating and a deep, overwhelming sadness that she can’t seem to explain and of course this will magnify all the other symptoms over again and she is now in a horrible cycle of depression. Other factors that contribute to this form of depression include, lack of family support, possible history of depression either in herself or other members of her family and negative experiences in her life. The new mother will respond well if she takes antidepressants, which will help balance, those hormones once again.

Along with mild and moderate forms of postpartum depression approximately one percent of women will experience postpartum psychosis which, as its name suggests depression with psychotic tendencies. Women who have been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder or schizophrenia have a risk of this type of postpartum depression. This type of postpartum depression is what most people hear about in the news and receives the greatest attention. Women who suffer from this form of depression are more likely to cause harm to their children and/or themselves because they have hallucinations that their child/children are evil in some manner and they are trying to save them. Prompt treatment is imperative in these situations.

Coping strategies for the new mother coping with postpartum depression:

Ask for help in cooking, cleaning – don’t be afraid to get some help then you can spend time with your baby.

When your baby is sleeping don’t stay up and read you lie down also and get some much needed and deserved rest.

Expectations that you must do everything now – throw that out the window.

Have someone watch your baby and you take some time for yourself or with someone special

If you are medications that do not allow you to breastfeed, remember that if you don’t take care of yourself you will not be able to take care of your baby.

When your baby is sleeping through the night, which means you will too, this is the perfect opportunity to begin an exercise program to get your body into the shape you want, this will give your self-esteem a great boost.

There are three phases for treatment of postpartum depression:

Acute – the goal is to bring the symptoms into remission

Continuation – the goal is to stabilize your mood and hormones, aid in recovery, and prepare a long-term plan to prevent repeat occurrences.

Get help as soon as feel the baby blues have lasted too long or get worse. There is nothing to be ashamed about and treatment will help you regain control quickly. Do what is best for you and the bond with your new baby. The medications and resources available today have greatly improved. Getting quick and aggressive treatment in the beginning will bring you to a better place and then it is about maintenance. Make sure you take time for you, eat right, get adequate rest, and don’t have too much stress. All these things along with medication and therapy can make the difference on how you enjoy your baby, your life, and most importantly you. Postpartum doesn’t have to take over your life.