The following article, a conversation with a friend, and a lot of time passing have all encouraged me to share this.
Postpartum Depression is not talked about enough. Before I experienced it myself, I barely knew what it was and wasn’t even sure it was a “real” thing.
As a lot of you know, three weeks after having baby #2, we moved. Not only did we move, but we moved in with my in-laws until our house was renovated. So, new baby, a move, I had quit my job of 7 years a few months earlier…….it was an understatement to say I was overwhelmed with change.
Thank God my doula had talked to me about PPD, its triggers and its signs and symptoms. I always just thought it was “being depressed after you had a baby.” SO WRONG. For me, it was extreme irritability and sudden rage. I am not proud of how I acted and I am thankful and hopeful that my then two year old will probably not remember how awful I was. I fully can understand why no one talks about it. But that needs to change. My doctor brushed it off. My husband felt helpless. It turned out to be a blessing that we were living with my in-laws because it meant I was not alone and my mother-in-law is an amazing woman and frequently would take care of the kids so I could go outside and get some fresh air and walk or run.
Eventually my hormones leveled out and I have an amazing support group which I believe got me through that period of my life. But if you or someone you know is maybe going through PPD, reach out. Even if you don’t know what to do or how to help, just take the first step of talking about it.
Here is the link to the mentioned article.
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