Many years ago, women did not really talk about postpartum depression because the condition wasn’t fully understood. You couldn’t admit to not feeling a connection with your baby without people judging you or calling you a bad parent. So, they kept it bottled up inside. Today, it is recognized as a real “thing.” It’s okay to talk about it, and there are things you can do to help you get through it.

The Facts

Postpartum anxiety and/or disorder affects approximately 10 percent of women, and these are only numbers based on reported cases. These feelings generally surface within the first couple days after birth, but they can come on gradually for a full year.

New parents are highly sensitive and reactive to everything going on around them, especially sound. Crying can sound like it is coming through a megaphone. Your body stresses, produces adrenaline, and causes a burst of panic.

Sleep deprivation also plays a huge role. Even if you are exhausted and you actually have the opportunity to sleep, sometimes you just can’t because your mind is racing.

Don’t Apologize

Women often feel as though they should apologize for how they are feeling. You don’t have to explain, defend, or justify your feelings. Mothers are constantly put in positions where they have to defend their actions. Whether it is a sibling arguing over their potty training techniques or a parent voicing their disapproval of their diet, there always seems to be something they are not doing “right.” No wonder they don’t want to tell people when they are depressed! Therefore, they shut down, suffer in silence, and desperately try to just get through another day. If this sounds like you, understand your suffering matters. You are not alone, and you are not doing anything wrong. If people judge you it is their problem.

Tips for Getting Through

• Talk About It – Whether you talk to a loved one or a stranger in a support group it will help. You may find that it is easier to talk to a stranger who knows how you feel than a friend or family member who doesn’t understand.
• Create a Calm Environment – Your home needs to be soothing. If you can’t fall asleep, wall fountains can help. The sound of cascading water will quiet your mind, so you can fall asleep when you have some time rather than getting lost in your thoughts. Many stores like Luxe Water Walls offer wall fountains if you are interested in learning more.
• Therapies – Seek for expert help with your postpartum depression. Mothers who lost their babies after giving birth are asked to undergo doll therapy with the use of life-like baby dolls such as this doll from Kiss Reborn.
• Fresh Air and Sunshine – Being cooped up all day can really affect your mood. You need the vitamin D from the sun, which is proven to prevent and treat depression. Make a point to go outside throughout the day, even if it is just to walk around the yard. The fresh air is good for the baby, too.
• Make Time for You – It is essential that you make time to just do something for yourself. This could be as simple as going for a quick run in the morning or attending a yoga practice, art class, or book discussion once a week. Even an hour focusing on you will help recharge your inner battery and improve your mood.