Post Partum Depression. - Jamestown,NY

I know what you are going through. My son is 16 months old and I was suffering with major p.p.d. I finally went to my Dr. for fear of ending up divorced. He couldn't prescribe meds because I was breast feeding. What he did prescribe was exercise & lots of rest. I thought he was crazy, I didn't even want to get out of bed how was I suppose to exercise. I realized that I was snapping at my 2yr lil girl for no reason. I pushed myself to exercise, a little walking on the treadmill. Trust me I know it is hard but it really did work for me. Good luck. I know it isn't going to be easy.

talk to your dr and get help. i had ppd pretty bad after my second son and went on lexapro- it saved me. even if you dont want to go down that road, i would still urge you to get help.
C.

Let me say first, congratulations on admitting that you have depression. Many people don't and try to ignore it on their own. I have depression myself and while it's fustrating, the good news is that it is treatable.

I would highly suggest finding a therapist to talk to. If you would like, i can give you my own's name and number. She is in Somerset and admittedly that may be a drive. Or you can contact your local mental health board and ask for a name. If money is an issue ask about a sliding scale where you work out a fee that is affordable. Also check out local hospitals and ask about new mom groups and/or dpression support groups. I know you have an older child, but each child is different and in a sense you are a new mom.

Keep in mind that this will take time. Your fiancee can help you a lot, and maybe going to a session with a counselor may help him understand you better as well.

Good luck

I just want you to know that many women go through this. I am a mother of 5... Ages 21,17, 12,4 and 2. I found myself involved in the depression during my last two pregnacy's and I didn't want to take any medication.... I did finally allow my doctor to give me lexapro... which didn't give me any complications.... it helped me stay focused and it helped me not to stay soo down! It is important for you to realize this is a REAL illness, and for you and your fiance to treat it as you would a flu... this isn't YOU this is a condition that will pass!!!!! My email is ____@____.com if you need any other advice.... I finally feel like myself!!!!

Have you spoken to your OB's office about this. That is where I would start. They can suggest support groups or if needed medication to help. PPD is very serious and you should get help as soon as possible.

S.,

I can relate. I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. With my first I was fine, but after I had Hailey I had such bad post-partum depression. I even wanted to give her up for adoption (which was making her father quite angry). Now when I look back I can't believe I had those thoughts. Don't be too hard on yourself. You may want to explain to your fiance' about post partum and maybe even print out some info about it. You may want to consider medication. There are doctors that can help, don't feel ashamed(your not alone). You may just need some medication for short term until you can get through this. Hey, it's not easy being a mother!

Hi Sam,

Maybe this is not my place only because I had the baby blues but no post partum depression, but something that might be very helpful is to go to talk to someone about this. Someone who can help you through this and allow you to openly discuss your feelings in a safe and non-judgemental atmostphere.

Brooke Shields wrote a great book that you probably have heard of, Down Came the Rain. As a mom I found it very enlightening and helpful.

You will probably find a host of moms out there who have shared your experiences. Good luck and I hope that things get better for you.

Hi, didn't see the other responses there so I'm really just repeating what everyone else has already said. And I second what one of the posters said, this is not something that you just get over. Seek help from someone you trust, your OB, a therapist. But don't let it go.

I would first speak with your doctor and see if there is something that can be given to you that might help with the anxiety/moodiness you are feeling. It's great that you sought help and need to continue to do just that, allow people to help you and know that with two small boys you are going to be overwhelmed and need to take a break sometime. Its most important that you speak with your doctor though, this is not something that they can punish you for. The mind is tricky and if you are having these feelings the worst thing to do is to ignore them.

You have got to talk to your OB and get a referral to a psychiatrist (can RX meds) or a psychologist (can not RX meds). It's not something that you can ignore or just get over. It can get worse if you don't get yourself treated at the very least with therapy.

Things that can help:
1. Be sure to shower and get dressed every day.
2. Try to get out of the house once a day or every other day.
3. If you can get out alone a couple of times a week, do it, even if it's just for a walk or running an errand while someone else stays home with the kids.
4. Be sure you have someone you can call when you need it most. Sometimes just having a sympathetic ear to vent to can help.
5. If you feel overwhelmed and the kids are crying or giving you a hard time, make sure they're safe in their room, put the baby in the crib or play yard, and lock yourself in your room or sit on your porch with a big glass of your favorite drink. Sip your tea or lemonade or whatever slowly. Do breathing exercises like you did during labor. Do not move from that quiet spot until you've finished your drink completely, even if the kids are calling. They can handle being without you for a few minutes, especially if it means you're calming yourself down.
6. If you can get some exercise, that can help your mood. It releases endorphines and naturally boosts your mood.
7. Nap when the kids are napping. I don't care if you have "one more load of laundry." If you're not rested enough, you're more prone to depression and getting sick as well as gaining weight.
8. Keep up with your vitamins, especially B complex vitamins.
9. Don't be afraid to allow your psychiatrist to prescribe an anti-depression or anti-anxiety medication. Sometimes, some of us really do need the additional help and there's nothing wrong with that.

As you can tell, I've been there. I didn't have my PPD properly treated after dd#1 or #2, but finally after dd#3 weaned herself from breastfeeding at almost 6 months old, my PPD kicked into high gear. She's going to be 2yrs old next month and I'm still being treated. It started as treatment for PPD but soon became treatment for other underlying anxiety and depression and OCD issues. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. You can private message me if you want to talk more.

Hi How are you? I have battled depression off and on for years. My postpartum didn't hit me until almost 2 months after I had the baby but it wasn't that I didn't want my daughter but I was sick of the family getting involved and everything piled on everything and I just wanted to cry all the time and I was moody.

It is very hard until the "sleep well through the night" and you probably feel like you have to do everything...I know thats how it was for me. There is no way to just get over depression. Our hormones are insane. Did they put you on birth control? Did you ever have depression before? Those were questions they asked me when I had my daughter.

The only things I can say are talk about things to people and maybe you will have to go on a mild antidepressant. I never went on one and since being off the pill, trying to conceive my second I think once I do have the next baby I will try to get an antidepressant. I am not one for a cure all pill, but sometimes it is necessary. You are the one that knows your limits. You also have to try to take time for yourself because you may be getting overwhelmed and that is fueling the depression. I have also found that since I have been walking everyday or going to this stroller fit class it has helped my mood dramatically.

I know I ramble but just know that you aren't alone in this battle and it does get better eventually but you might be wise to see someone.

hello
try seeing your obgyn about maybe she can refer you to see a specialist for depression and maybe some meds too.do you think about hurting your son? even thugh you know your not going to do it.
is it hard for you to love your son?cause if this is true yes you have postpartum and now your son is 5 mos old your post partum should have been over by now.when i had my second child this happened to me too and i was put on meds and now almost 4 years later i'm still on meds i feel like i dont need them but i'm scared to get off them.at first i didnt want to take them cause i didnt want to become dependent on them which i think i am.but you be your own judge on what you wanna do maybe you can just see a treripest so you can talk so things out
good luck!!!

Hi S.. My son is now 17 months old, and I suffered from severe postpartum depression after his birth. I am now pregnant with my 3rd and I will fight it again if it comes my way. I believe very strongly in meds. It took me awhile to find the right combination of them but I believe that is what helped me the most. I also joined a local support group too. I am not sure what area your from, but if your in or around Buffalo, NY (I am in a suburb) I can direct you to them. There is also an amazing website i found, that I am still a member of. www.ppdsupportpage.com Click on communicate and you can read all of our stories. Just to know that I was not alone in the illness, made my days brighter. I was very very ill, and ended up not being able to return to work for 5 months after my son was born. Please get the help you deserve. It kills me to see women suffer from this, when there really is so much help out there. Unfortunately we just have to find it....Good Luck. K.

Definetly talk to your OBGYN - you are not alone. I too had post partum after my first daughter six years ago. They put me on Zoloft which i take at night as it was making me tired during the day. My dad killed himself in November and I also now have my 6 year old and a 15 month old. I was not doing well and they upped the dosage 25 mg - it has been GREAT!!!

Also - don't try to be supermom - sleep when your baby sleeps and you will enjoy life a little more!!!

J.

I am no expert but I too was going through that and I cant say that my sex life has gotten any better, but I realized that the moodiness had a lot to do with my uncomfortableness and lack of feeling like I had control. I think the best thing to do is to do things you like to do, rent a funny movie take a hot bath, start a journal for ashton writing about your time with him and your feelings, wash your hair, take a walk or just take a nap. Its important that you try to embrace this new you so that you can see what is causing the changes.

Hi S.,

I battled post partum also. It was very hard telling myself I had it at first. But than I started getting very moody to everyone including my kids for no reason. I sought out help through my doctor. She prescribed zoloft for me which helped and it also helped the I talk to her as much as I needed.

First, I think that you should seek help. There are alot of support groups also. This helped me also. Your doctor may chose not to give you anything also.
I am a mother of four children ranging from 8-2 years. For all of that time it was never about me but my doctor advised me that it is okay to think about me first. Now I agree because if you are not okay it will affect everyone around you. I hoped I helped and good luck.

T.

Get help. See your doctor. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Your doctor sees people with post pardum depression all the time and can help you. I know. I had it and needed to go on medication. I felt 100% better and it made such a difference in my relationship with my baby and my husband!