Sisterly Advice: Post-Partum Depression
I got a message a few weeks ago from user Shani M. asking if I’ve experienced Post-Partum Depression, or PPD as it is commonly called. I'm so glad she asked, because it's a topic that I think a lot of mommas need to know more about! I was so worried that I was going to get it because I have experienced depression before, and let me just tell you that it is no fun at all (obviously). It’s a very scary situation to go through, and I was especially worried about going through it again after having Aden. Luckily, I didn’t get it – but, I did do enough research to feel like I would be prepared if I did. I wanted to share that with you since I know there are mommies out there who have been asking for advice.
First, do your research. Know that there is a difference between PPD and “baby blues” – baby blues are normal and 50-80% of moms experience them. The symptoms are mild, with some ups and downs, weepiness and stress after the baby is born. Remember though, baby blues only last about two weeks after delivery! Anything longer is considered PPD. If you do think you have PPD, educate yourself on the issue. Knowing if you’re showing symptoms or at risk can help you be prepared if it arrives, and soften the blow.
Second, if you do have PPD, build up a support system to be there for you. Believe me, you will need them! Your spouse and friends will be the key to getting through this – and you will, I know it. Just make sure to get in touch with a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in the field if you suspect you have PPD. He or she will be able to give you a roadmap to recovery, with sleep and nutrition plans and physical and emotional support.
Third, talk to your specialist about medicine. There natural remedies that have been shown to be effective like fish oil and Vitamin B, but sometimes you need prescription medicine to do the trick. It completely depends on the individual woman and her own needs. Just make sure to let your psychiatrist know if you are breastfeeding so you don’t get recommended something that may affect the quality of your breast milk.
Last of all, know that you are not alone! PPD is not “weird” and you are not a loser or considered “weak” if you get it. Around 20% of women experience PPD – it’s the most common postpartum mood disorder and affects around 1 in 7 mommies in the world. If you think you have PPD, just do your research, surround yourself with loved ones, and find a good specialist who will be able to help you get through it. You deserve to be happy and your baby deserves a healthy mommy!
You are not alone, mommas! Have any of you experienced PPD or baby blues after pregnancy? Share your stories with me in the comments below.
Xx,
Tamera
Photo credit: Pink Sherbert Photography
45 comments
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Today I stepped out of my comfort zone and took a leap of Faith! I did what I have never had the courage to do before. I posted my story about my experience with PPD on my blog. It was by far the most intimidating, terrifying, yet freeing experience of my life and I have you you thank for my courage. When I was deep into my depression, I happened to watch an Episode of your show, which discussed the very thing I had been living with for the past 10 plus months. I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your strength, courage and motivation. You have given so many of us a voice and now I will do my best to support as many fellow PPD Mom's as possible. If you would like to read about my story, you may find it at http://lovelylittlep.blogspot.ca -
I experienced PPD with my first born and it was horrible. I was at the point that I wanted to commit suicide. I couldn't take care of my daughter and couldn't function from day to day. I didn't know what to do with myself. I begged my husband to stay home with me because I was so afraid. To top it all off my daughter suffered colic. She cried for hours on end and I couldn't figure how to appease her. This made my PPD worse because I felt like such a failure as a mother. I finally spoke to my mother who traveled from Florida to help me. I begged her not to leave me and even packed my things to move in with her. I was able to seek help from a therapist who assured me that things would get better. She helped me to develop a routine where I was able to take care of myself a little more. I began to feel a little weight lift off my shoulders and could see the silver lining. My daughter was 6 months old before her colic calmed down and it was then that I started to feel normal and could fully begin bonding with my little girl. By the time I gave birth to my little boy I was able to see the signs of PPD and knew what to do before it could worsen.
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Hello all, I have experienced ppd with my 2nd child. The sad part is I didn't know. But the crazy thing is I exhibited pre-partum and my doctor saw something but was not trained in seeing these signs. I carried full term with a healthy girl 7lbs 5oz, but I hardly ate as much as my first baby and I was losing weight each month, I started out 150lbs and after having her weighed 135lbs because I craved water, so I would forget pretty much to eat because I was full. But unfortunately the doctor and nurses threatened me and told me that at the delivery of my daughter they would have division of youth and services involved because they said I was abusing her before birth. So when I did experience ppd, you know I kept my mouth shut. I was 22y/o and felt so sad that I did not connect with her the way I did with my son, but God is good and I prayed on it and after about 2 months it started to subside. But I feel those feelings robbed me of the joy I should have had with my new baby girl. To anyone who may experience this, please speak up and get some help. Don't be shame this is just our hormones acting out, you will be fine. -
Yes I did experienced PPD ! With my 1st child briefly . I had a lot of support from my Mother & Husband . I could not explain why I was so sad & sacred @ the same time . I didn't feel like myself . I would be so exhausted , it made me feel like I was dying . My body wasn't use 2 being a mom . Or use 2 just having a baby . After the second week of being a new Mom & having a lot of support & prayer . A big amount of weight was lifted off my shoulders . Talk 2 Ur Mom she can help U through this . Because she has already experienced being a new Mom . I hope this will help someone . I took a chance & reached out . My Mom & Hubby reached out & helped me up ! -
Tamera, you and your sister have beautiful families, not to mention those beautiful babies. I am glad to see this web site. Your are talking about very practical issues that women face. I love being a mother myself and would not change the experience for anything. I must admit their are some mornings where I hope to make it through the day since I had very little sleep the night before. I am a very unorganized mom who would love any tips on how to keep your car clean. ways to organize diapers extra outfits and wipes to keep in your car for emergencies. I am bringing in groceries, babies and bags at the end of the car ride. The last thing I think about is spending the next half hour organizing my car from the car ride. It gets to be a lot and before I know it my car is filled with stuff. It can be overwhelming even when it comes to cleaning and organizing my home. If I start to clean my child starts dumping cheerios and stomping on them for fun. well that does not help my situation in the cleaning department. So would you please give helpful advice for not just decorating the home, because my children do an awesome job with cheerios but maybe cheap ways to organize the car, baby closets, and simple rules to help keep your car clean. It seems obvious but when your attending school and have two children and all you seem to need is more time during the day it begins to rule you. I think organization is key but I lack skills in that department. Even advice on how to keep your toddler entertained while cleaning or doing homework. I sit down to do homework and find my children fighting within minutes. Thanks for any help or advice you could give.
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I am so glad you brought this up, it is nothing a woman should ever be scared to talk about...but we are. I actually experienced this even as an adoptive parent! I did research, talked to my Dr.and I was suffering from Post Adoption Depression, same symptoms as PPD. It was the scariest, darkest time of my life when it was supposed to be the happiest. Since then, I have made it my mission to spread awareness on this topic in the adoption community. Thanks for keepin' it real and helping women know where/how to get answers! -
Thanks for answering! I'm glad you didn't experience it and neither have I (no children), but I witnessed a few people very dear to me go through it, so I just wanted to see how everyone dealt with it. -
Blessings to all of you women who have brought LIFE into this world we live. As a woman in my early 30s who plans to have my 1st child before I hit 40..I am learning so much about so many different situations that may occur during a woman's pregnancy.
@Adibba your story was so touching..it's wonderful how much support from everyone you received. -
Tamera, I am just praising the Lord right now!!! You truely have been in my thoughts and prayers since the the epsodie aried about you worring about depression. I could relate to you, I myself have sufered from deprssion on and off all my life and I was so thankful that you gave a voice to it. All though I do not have childeren,I do know what depression is like and it is no fun at all. Thanking the Lord that you did not suffer from it after having that new and wounderful blessing!!
God's Best To and Your Family
Love You Sister In Christ,
Janice -
Tamera, is PPD the reason you chose to encapsulate your placenta? My best friend recent had her second chile, a little boy in November and she did the placenta encapsulation and said it helped SO MUCH with her mood swings and hormones. She noticed a difference when she forgot to take them. I'd never hear of the process before her and then I saw it on your show, now I'm completely fascinated!! -
I had my daughter 4 years ago, I suffered from PPD very badly,my daughter was 3 months only and weighing 1lb 1oz and it was one of the worst things I ever had to deal with in life.I was grateful for the support from my mom,my boyfriend and the nurses at the hospital they were there from the beginning to the end and til this day I appreciate them to the max.... -
Yes I agree! I just had my beautiful baby girl and my nurses went over all the ins and outs of PPD with me. Since this is my 4th baby 3rd pregnancy, I knew alot about it, thankfully I didn't have it with my twins in 2011, nor my 13yr old, and I do believe God willing I wont have it this time. And truly learning all you can about it helps! All woman who have had children and anticipate to have them should learn all they can about PPD and also the baby blues, because they are 2 separate things, and they occur often, with the baby blues you don't have to see a Dr. about it, but it is still important to talk to those we trust and address any feeling we feel after giving birth. -
I had my son 8 years ago, I suffered horribly from PPD!!! I don't know where I would have been if it had not been for the support of my husband and other family members..but most of all my belief that God would pull me out of it. Having a baby is hard, but doing it by yourself would be harder!!! My advice is wait til you have a husband and do it together. It doesn't prevent PPD, but it softens the blows from it!! -
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I'm wanted advice later on in the future about parenting amd stuff like that no way near it yet but i'm getting alittle close every year it's my birthday is july 7 and I'm close to 20 thought I love you guys keep on giving us advice
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I had PPD with my second child and it was a nightmare! Had it not been for my husband and all the prenatal classes and books I read it could have been a lot worse. I had uncontrollable crying fits, I didn't eat or sleep for seven....yes, seven straight days. That's when my husband said enough was enough and he told my doctor he had to prescribe me something because all the natural remedies weren't working. I was afraid my daughter was going to have shaken baby syndrome because I shook so bad. Had it not been for the medication calming my nerves and putting me to sleep I don't know how I would have made it. When I had my son my doctor was ready just in case and he also kept me in the hospital for two extra days to monitor me and sent me home with a prescription just in case. I armed. And ready that time. I didn't take the medication I just got in a quiet spot sat down and meditated. It's very serious and you have to know when to ask for help it's nothing to be ashamed of.
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I'm not a mom so i'm just joining it.because for whenever I do get pregnant but it's alot women/girls getting pregnant
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It's girls ages 12 and up they getting pregnant also what do them young girls have like women have during or after pregnancies? I'm young I love you guys.
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I'm so glad that there is help for all the mother out there today because when I had my first child there was no help out there for me I had to go through it all by myself. I use to cry all the time, n then feeling so bad n and thinking that I was a rubbish mom,and I didn't have any 1 to tell me otherwise. So im really glad there is proper help outthere i would not wish that feeling on my worse enemy
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My daughter just turned 6 months old this past Saturday. I was just recently (3 weeks ago) diagnosed with "untreated ppd"! I've dealt with depression in my past. I just wish I was as strong as Tamera during my pregnancy...strong enough to do the research and actually talk to someone about it. I was a bit depressed throughout the pregnancy because about 80% of the time, I felt like I didn't have anyone! Dont get me wrong, I have a huge family, great friends, and a husband of two years. I think the worst feeling is having all these people around you but still feeling alone. After watching the episode of Tia & Tamera when Tamera speaks out about her depression and talked to a professional and someone who has dealt with it, I finally swallowed my pride and sought professional help! I also keep in touch with another new mommy who has gone through similar issues. Now I have a better outlook on life and I feel like I am a better mommy to my Isabella! -
OMG this is the one thing that makes me not really want to have any children of my own...Dont get me wrong i have many neices and nephews(bout 15 or more) and i love love being aunty...but after having suffering from PTD for the past 8yrs of my life i could not imagine going threw it being a mom. I will say this God My family and friends were a very good support team that help me alot...also i did seek any help i could get meds groups ect...when your in that much pain it doesnt hurt to try anything once...you never know what will be your remedy.
Bless -
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I suffered from severe PPD after the birth of my first so 11 years ago and then again with my second. I was clinically diagnosed with severe depression at 13 and it has lasted my entire life even up to this point, what I had to learn were the triggers and to seek help and surround myself with positive people when I am going through it. Having a very strong support systems in extremely important and beneficial.
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