PPD
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a very real and serious matter. Although you were probably excited and happy to be bringing life into the world with your precious baby, you may be having very different feelings within the first year of your baby's birth.
"Please take him! Get him away from me! Mother, you can have him, will you please take him?" my aunt pleaded with her own mother.
"Please take him!" she would beg over and over again as she tried to hand her child to his grandmother.
My aunt had been happily married for years. This baby boy was her second child.
But for reasons she didn't understand,
she didn't want to be around her baby.
She wanted to give her baby away.
She pleaded to her own mother to take him.
My aunt was never diagnosed with PPD. No one had really heard of it in the 1970's or how to recognize it. No woman talked about disliking her newborn. No one shared thoughts about hurting her own baby.
It's only now, looking back, that my mom and her family could realize their sister (my aunt) had Postpartum Depression.
I don't know the details of how or when my aunt surpassed this hard, scary time in her life, but what I do know is that she was able to move forward. She was able to return to being herself: a kind, caring, faithful woman. My memories of her are full of love. To this day, she gives my children and me little gifts when she sees us.
There is hope!
If you think you may be experiencing PPD,
please know that it is NOT your fault!
The internal biological workings of your body, coupled with any stress you may have had during and after your pregnancy, are the cause for your altered feelings...
and it is more common than people may realize because many new moms are reluctant to share their dark and scary feelings with others out of fear,
but
1 out of every 7 women experience PPD.
Do not think you are the only one.
You are NOT alone.
If you are having similar thoughts/feelings, feel disconnected from your baby, do not want to care for him/her, please reach out for help.
People care about you and your baby!
If you don't know where to seek help, call/connect with one of the following PPD support organizations below:
Postpartum Support International 1-800-944-4PPD (4773) From their website: PSI’s toll-free HelpLine serves over 1,000 callers a month and is staffed by a volunteer team of PSI trained responders who rapidly refer callers to appropriate local resources, including emergency services.
The HelpLine also offers Spanish-language support – press 1 for Spanish.
To check side effects of your medications, particularly while breastfeeding: LactMed
Corpus Christi Maternal Mental Health Coalition: (361) 207-0157 Treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD. This was recommended by several moms in Corpus Christi, TX area. They also meet the second Tuesday of every month.
The Catholic Psych Institute Has teletherapy available. From their website: We offer short and long term individual therapy for adolescents and adults. We treat many kinds of issues from Anxiety and Depression to Personality Disorders, Addictions, Trauma Disorders, and Severe Mental Illness.