A new born baby deserves to have a healthy mother and the mother deserves the chance to enjoy her baby and enjoy her life. So if you are experiencing symptoms of depression after giving birth, tell someone close to you so they can get help and treatment for you from your midwife or doctor.
The first steps you need to take to help yourself are:
• Accepting that there is something wrong and that you have a problem
• Talking to your husband or partner, or a friend or family member about how you are feeling
• Knowing that you will get better
There are certain steps that your doctor will take and these include:
• Medication – you may be prescribed anti-depressants though these may not be possible when breastfeeding. If you do take anti-depressants, these can take up to 2 weeks to start working and are helpful with some of the physical symptoms of depression such as poor appetite, insomnia, lack of energy etc. Side effects such as tiredness or a dry mouth may be a problem for a short while.
• Therapy – studies have shown that this is very effective for postpartum depression and your therapist will talk with you about how you are feeling and thinking at the moment, as well as exploring any relevant issues from the past.
There are other steps you can take to help yourself such as:
• Try to get as much rest as you can. When baby naps, then you must nap too.
• Stop putting pressure on yourself to do everything. Do only what you can and leave the rest.
• Find someone you are comfortable with to talk to and tell them about your feelings. This can be your husband or partner, family member or friend.
• Establish a social support network so that friends and family members can help you with child care, household chores and errands. You need to find some time for yourself so you can rest.
• You also need to find time to do something for yourself – such as reading, exercising (a 15 minute walk will make all the difference) or having a good soak in the bath.
• Keeping a diary will help you to express your emotions and feelings.
• Take it slowly – don’t try to do all the steps the first day – one step at a time and gradually increase the steps. If some days, you take a step backwards don’t let it upset you.
• Find a support group in your area – when you know there are others in the same boat, this can be quite a help and you can exchange experiences and help and support each other.
It is important for you to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and this is an illness from which you will recover.
Jen Carter is team member and writes regularly about baby blues and morning sickness and other common conditions for Amoils.com.
