Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Having a baby is a huge life change.  It's hard enough adjusting to the needs of a newborn and changing lifestyle.  Mom's have the (obvious) challenge of dealing with the aftermath of birth.  Dealing with the normal body postpartum issues (after birth bleeding, bowel movement challenges, sore abdominals, breastfeeding challenges, etc), and hormones, and some women may have some mild depression and/or mood swings. Most of the time, hormones level out after a few weeks and mom adjusts to this new life. This is all normal.  

Some women, however, may not adjust so well.  Postpartum depression is a serious issue that can last for weeks or even months.  It should be addressed as soon as possible.  There is absolutely no shame in going to talk to your provider or other trustworthy resource in order to get help.  Your life, your family life, and maybe even your newborns life depend on you to get the help you need to move on.  

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Some signs and symptoms of postpartum depression include:

• Feeling of being overwhelmed, worthless, hopeless, and guilty
• Feeling irritated, angry, and having no patience
• Feeling disconnected, not able to concentrate or focus
• Lack of interest in your baby, negative feelings towards your baby, and worrying about hurting your baby
• Lack of concern for yourself, feeling nothing, emptiness, sadness, numbness
• Lack of pleasure, energy, and motivation
• Changes in appetite, weight, and sleep patterns
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

What you can do to help yourself:

• Stay healthy and fit by sleeping, resting, and eating healthy
• Ask for help from your partner, family, and friends and share your feelings with them
• Lower your stress – slow down, put the baby in a stroller and go for a walk, breathe some fresh air
• Talk to your midwife or doctor if your feelings last more than a week or two

What your partner and family can do to help:

• Be there and listen to you
• Take care of him or herself
• Help with taking care of your home and parenting
• Enlist family and friends to help around the house, cook meals, and take care of the baby and children

Resource: Strong-start.org

Do you have Postpartum Depression? Not sure? Check out this link at parentingpod.com for a checklist and lots of other great information on many parenting topics.

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Online Resources:
Strong-start.org
Postpartumprogress.com
parentingpod.com
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Local Resources:
​Your OB or Midwife - go to them first!
WI Department of Health Services - scroll down to the county you live in for resources