If you find yourself feeling unhappy, drained, and depressed rather than elated about finally building your own family with the help of your relatives and friends, you might be suffering from postpartum depression.
While nobody has yet discovered a way to avoid postpartum depression for sure, you can minimize the risk of developing it, and help yourself recover from it with some simple steps.
The first step you should always take if you suspect you have postpartum depression is talking to your doctor. He or she will be able to advise you on the symptoms and how best to deal with it.
Next, educate yourself. Read as much as you can about it online and in parenting books. Some books are written specifically about postpartum depression — how to avoid it, how to recover from it, and why it occurs. Knowing that postpartum depression is caused by hormone changes that naturally occur, and that many women suffer from it, may help you realize that it is perfectly normal. The rapidly-dropping progesterone levels in new mothers’ bodies after childbirth cause mood swings, depression, and other PPD symptoms.
Try to come up with ways to combat postpartum depression on your own. These usually include exercise and a healthy diet, which everyone should include in their routine anyway. It can be challenging to incorporate these things into your crowded, sleep-deprived schedule, but it’s important to take care of yourself so that you can take good care of your child. Just a daily ten-minute walk down the street and back or jog on the treadmill will improve your mood and energy level.
Let others help you out during this trying time. Enlisting the support of your partner and willing friends and family members will help you a lot. Don’t feel that you have to do everything on your own! Others can take care of regular household tasks, cooking, and other chores, while you get some much-needed rest and bond with your new child. Even if nobody can cook for you, someone else can shop for you and pick up frozen dinners, pre-packaged snacks, macaroni, and other easily prepared meals. Sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, and any tasks above and beyond basic cleanliness can go to other people as well or wait until you’re back on your feet.
Support doesn’t just come in the form of relief from regular chores, either. It’s crucial to build an emotional support network, whether it be your friends, family, partner, a postpartum depression support group, medical professionals, or a combination of the above. Having someone understanding and caring to talk to when you need a shoulder to cry on or are frustrated and exhausted will be invaluable.
Above all, remember that motherhood is an emotionally, mentally, and physically tiring experience, particularly right after childbirth. Be patient with yourself, and give yourself time to relax and recover! If you find yourself still unusually depressed after a few weeks, ensure you are eating right, exercising, getting as much sleep as you can, and see your doctor.
Postpartum depression cannot be avoided entirely, but its effects can certainly be reduced!
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Tags: Avoid Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Depression Symptoms