What is Postpartum?
The dictionary states that the word postpartum comes from a Latin phrase which means “after childbirth”.
The postpartum period begins immediately after birth and lasts for up to six months.
That’s the amount of time that it takes a woman’s body toreturn to a pre-pregnancy state.
Now anyone that has given birth will tell you, the majority of the time it takes a hell lot longer than 6 months to feel back to yourself.
Let’s be honest, after giving birth, your body will look and feel different.
You’re sleep deprived, saddened by frustration, and endless feeding schedules.
Maybe you are struggling with anxiety and fear?
Most soon-to-be-parents are not being warned about other feelings that they’ll likely have after their baby is born.
It’s so important that new parents understand that these feelings are extremely normal and common.
Just by knowing this will help them be more mentally prepared and cope better.
If new parents have these feelings beyond the typical “baby blues” period of just one month, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re experiencing “postpartum depression”.
Though symptoms are most commonly seen in the first few weeks after birth, they can occur anytime within the first year and beyond. Emotional, behavioral and cognitive changes may be caused.
Take a look at the list of more commonly feelings and actions;
- Feeling of sadness and anxiety
- Sleeping a lot or too less
- Eating too less or too much
- Unexplained aches, pain or illness
- Anxiety, irritation or anger for no reason
- Sudden mood changes
- Poor concentration
- Difficulty in remembering things
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt and hopelessness
- Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide
- Lack of pleasure in things that were earlier enjoyable
- Feeling disconnected with the baby
Following up from the list taken from Psychology today [source Medica], in my opinion it’s best to write on the one I feel is one of the most important to talk about.
Feeling disconnected from your baby
Your thoughts run through your head saying, “How in the world can I feel this way towards my own baby?”
Who will understand me, who do I turn to?
They are going to think I am crazy.
Will they take my baby away from me?
Am I an unfit parent?
What will my Husband/Wife think of me?
Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is an extremely severe form of postpartum depression and requires emergency medical attention.
This condition is relatively rare, affecting only 1 in 1,000 people after delivery.
The symptoms generally occur quickly after delivery and are severe, lasting for a few weeks to several months.
“It is not caused by relationship problems, stress, or doubts about your pregnancy. Several things seem to play a part in postpartum psychosis. Your family history and genetic factors are important 6 – you are more likely to have postpartum psychosis if a close relative has had it.”
Hope After Postpartum
Never feel alone, nor embarrassed.
There is medical help with medication and talk therapy to help you cope with your feelings.
You are not broken, you will rise up.
Never feel like you are less worthy of being a parent or you don’t feel love.
Postpartum is real and so common, talk about it, don’t try to hide it.
Quotes From Others’ Experiences of Postpartum Depression
- “I thought I was going to avoid postpartum depression. When I gave birth, the doctor told me about postpartum, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m doing good right now, I don’t think that’s going to happen.’ But out of nowhere, the world was heavy on my shoulders.” –Cardi B
- “I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy, and I think I did go through postpartum depression. I was trying to stay positive when it felt like my whole world had flipped upside down. Creating a human takes a toll on women’s bodies. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough love or patience about that.” –Danielle Brooks
- “I didn’t have postpartum [depression] the first time, so I didn’t understand it because I was like, ‘I feel great!’ The second time, I was like, ‘Oh, whoa, I seewhat people talk about now. I understand.’ It’s a different type of overwhelming with the second. I really got under the cloud.” –Drew Barrymore
- “I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me. … My knowledge of postpartum — or postnatal, as we call it in England — is that you don’t want to be with your child; you’re worried you might hurt your child; you’re worried you weren’t doing a good job. But I was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate; I felt like I’d made the worst decision of my life. … It can come in many different forms.” –Adele
- “The place of true healing is a fierce place. It’s a giant place. It’s a place of monstrous beauty and endless dark and glimmering light. And you have to work really, really, really hard to get there, but you can do it.” –Cheryl Strayed
This post was written by Lauren K., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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