Let

Postpartum depression

Let’s talk about postpartum depression.

It can happen to anyone.
Christine B. has joined a club she never wanted to belong to and is helping new moms recognize some of those negative feelings that aren’t normal to experience. After all, she really does have it all together. She’s successful, she has no financial worries, she’s happily married and the list goes on. If she can suffer from postpartum depression, anyone can.

Celebrities who have come forward to confess their postpartum issues, including Brooke Shields, Courteney Cox and Gwyneth Paltrow. While it may hit them, it can hit anyone.

“They get up, they go to bed, they cry, they laugh,” said Anne Smith, nurse practitioner and president of Postpartum Support International. Experts say postpartum depression affects about 75 to 80 percent of new moms. Sometimes the symptoms disappear within two to three weeks without intervention. But many new moms aren’t so lucky. It reminds me of the saying that morning sickness only lasts three months, some women have it almost until the end of their pregnancy.

Getting rid of the stigma
This is not a new problem. It is not openly discussed. As a recent New York Times article noted, “Indeed, defining postpartum depression has been a centuries-long quest, hampered by a social stigma that prevents many women from acknowledging they have a problem. Women struggling with the sadness, anxiety and suicidal thoughts associated with the condition – first noted by Hippocrates in 400 B.C. – have long been told it’s all in their heads, or blamed themselves for not being good enough mothers.”

We hope that by sharing this information, we can let new moms know that they are not alone. Postpartum depression deserves to be brought to light and discussed so that new moms don’t feel ashamed of these feelings and seek help.

Asking for help
First and foremost, you need to take care of yourself in order to be the best parent you can be. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact specialists from newborn care to Doulas to sleep consultants, there are many qualified professionals to support you, feel free to contact us we know some in our team of maternity nurses.