Coping with Postpartum Depression

In the past, a new mother who did not seem absolutely giddy was considered strange. But now people have a better understanding of the hormones and effect of lack of sleep and exhaustion have on a new mother. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers' often spent several days in the hospital before returning home, now only problematic pregnancies require such long hospital stays. This does not allow a new mother to get the rest that they need and this is a major factor in postpartum depression. Therefore it is important to be able to recover and recoup before caring for your new child. Even when a mother deeply loves and wants her child, this does not mean she intuitively knows what to do, and such feelings when compounded by being tired can be overwhelming. Even if a mother did not have problems with postpartum depression with a first child may have bouts with subsequent children. It is important to become educated to post partum depression if you or a friend might have it and recognize what help is needed. Much like the flu or a concussion or any other illness or condition where the body is weak from stress or trauma, postpartum depression is a physical condition that needs to be addressed for it to go away, and there is no shame in admitting needing help with Postpartum depression. Some ideas that can help include:

1. Talk about your feelings. If none of your friends or relatives has experienced this syndrome, ask your OB/GYN for a local support group or find one online.
2. Do not be afraid to take medications if you need them. You have to think of the long term good of yourself and your child. This is in part a chemical issue; there is nothing wrong treating that chemical issue like any other chemical issue. Since some medications can contaminate your breast milk, let your doctor know if you want to breast feed.
3. Get a doula if you can afford one. See if your health insurance policy allows for any assistance and under what circumstances. Ask others to help you with child care, chores, and errands.
4. Most conversations and gifts will be focused on the baby now, make sure to do something that is about just YOU. Find time to do something positive for yourself, like exercise, taking a bubble bath, reading, listening to music or taking a walk. Even if you can only do a few minutes a day, this will help you to relax.
5. If you are able to exercise, this will help elevate your mood and release endorphins. Everyone feels better if they are getting their figure back a bit. At first, just walking may be all you can do, or some light stretching or yoga. Many "baby and me" type classes exist to meet other mothers and get of the house and get some exercise that is reasonable for how tired you are.
6. Make a list of reasonable goals to get done each day. If you only get one thing done, it is still an accomplishment. Some days this will not be possible, There may be days when you cannot get anything done. There will be good days and bad days, try not to stress about bad days. Make sure to get dressed, put on sneakers even if you will just be in the house, and add structure to the day.
7. Try not to be alone - get out in public. Get dressed each day, even if just to take a walk around the block, Fresh air and a change of pace will be good for both you and the baby, even if just to the corner store or the library.
8. Try to carry a lighter handbag. It sounds silly, but now you are carrying a baby and the baby bag and your own heavy bag, your back is probably not used to lifting all that weight, you might need to revise that a bit to have less physical stress.
9. Make sure to eat healthy and keep up with your own medical check-ups since your body has been through a lot and is now sleeping less and always carrying and lifting a child and usually a baby bag and your own bag.
10. Improve your sleep by comfortable sheets and pillow; consider springing for luxury sheets or silky soft pajamas to maximize the sleep you get between feedings.