Every new mother has to worry about postpartum depression. This is actually something that you should start thinking about long before you give birth to your new baby. This allows you to completely understand what causes this form of depression so you know how to deal with it once it sets in. The following tips will help you deal with depression after giving birth, whether you have already given birth or are still waiting for that big day.
Depression is Blind
It doesn't matter whether this is your first baby or your tenth. It doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank or who you are married to. It doesn't even matter where you live or how much sunshine you receive on a daily basis. Postpartum depression is largely a hormonal thing that can happen to literally any woman.
When you become pregnant hormones surge in order to develop and support the growing foetus. You may be well aware of the mood swings and crying spells that this can bring on during pregnancy, but what you may not realize is that those high hormone levels must normalize after giving birth. This can take some time and may lead to depression in the meantime.
So, remember that depression is blind. Don't lead yourself to believe that it can't happen to you, because it can!
Depression has no Rules
There is no definite period of time by which postpartum depression will pass. For some women it will last a very short period of time while for others it lingers on for months. In some more critical cases, depression can last for a year or more. There may be other circumstances of life that cause it to last for those extended periods of time, or in some cases it is simply a matter of difficulty normalizing the hormones after the birth.
There are also no rules predicting what you will feel while suffering from postpartum depression. For some women it is minor emotional irritation while for others it is an extreme condition that could interfere with the baby/mother bonding experience. You may feel different from someone else, but that doesn't mean your condition is any more or less important than theirs.
Postpartum depression is an individual experience, so don't compare yourself to other women and assume you are okay or worse off. There are no rules to how you should feel!
When to Get Help
Every woman must know when it is time to seek help for postpartum depression. It is best to arm yourself with this knowledge prior to having the baby because it is difficult to recognize the signs of depression once you are living through it. The more you know about the issue prior to giving birth, the more likely you are to know when you need help and when you are okay.
The time to seek help for postpartum depression is the moment you start to suspect you may be suffering from it. Once you notice any symptoms or start feeling like you aren't bouncing back to your pre-pregnancy emotional state, it doesn't hurt to bring it up to friends, relatives, your spouse, or a doctor.
Those who love you should always be aware of how you are feeling so they can help you recover. Never try to hide feelings of sorrow or desperation!
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