Postpartum Depression: Weathering A Stormy Journey into New Motherhood

Postpartum Depression: Weathering A Stormy Journey into New Motherhood


The other day, one of my good friends and colleagues reached out and shared that she was experiencing postpartum depression. As a newly minted mama, Sarah forlornly explained to me that “I’m still crying daily and just not connecting with Olivia as much as I thought I would. I think I had a lot of pressure on myself, and everyone sort of makes it out to be this magical time with a newborn. But my reality just didn’t meet those expectations, and I feel very guilty, as if something is wrong with me because my entire life hasn’t found meaning in the dirty diapers or incessant wails of my newborn yet.” Sarah, while your feelings are very real and a bit scary to acknowledge, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and you are not “wrong” to feel the way you do.

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects many mothers every year. In fact, if you’re a mom, you are most likely a member of the “baby blues” posse that comprises up to 80% of new mothers. Don’t believe me? Ask yourself if you remember or currently have “feelings of sadness, anxiety, crying, worrying, and mood swings” during your first year, post-delivery (American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2010). And these are considered the more mild cases.

According to the AAP, up to 25% of pregnant and postpartum women suffer from depression, which is characterized by stronger symptoms, longer duration, and may require therapy treatment to recover. While it is estimated that approximately 400,000 babies are born to depressed mothers each year, about 1 to 2 in 1,000 women experience a severe condition called postpartum psychosis. Remember the tragedy of Andrea Yates who admitted to drowning her five children in 2001? Not a good memory to recall, perhaps, but relevant to keep in mind.

Although I am shocked to read these statistics, it actually makes a lot of sense because the symptoms, especially, were a common topic of discussion among the newbie moms of my own circle. In hindsight, thinking back to these intimate chats, I realize that we mothers had a tendency to self-doubt or deny the fact that we were experiencing some form of the baby blues or PPD. To be sure, there are many internal reasons for this denial, but if we chose to ignore our symptoms, our children may end up being the biggest losers in the end. According to HelpGuide.org, postpartum depression has negative effects on child development. If PPD is left untreated, your child may develop:

  • Behavioral problems, including aggression, hyperactivity, and sleep problems.
  • Delays in cognitive development, such as learning to walk and talk later than he would otherwise.
  • Social problems, including being socially withdrawn and unable to make friends at school, due to difficulty in establishing secure relationships.
  • Emotional problems, such as having low self-esteem and anxiety or being less independent.
  • Depression early in life due to possible exposure from their depressed mothers.
  • Less attachment to you because of less effective bonding and inconsistent care.

If you are feeling ANY of the symptoms mentioned, no matter how small and inconsequential it may seem, seek help. Start by checking out the rich resources we’ve provided here and then open up to someone who cares about you and wants to help, whether it is your partner, a family member, a friend, or your doctor. Keep these statistics in mind and realize that YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Find strength in numbers, reach out, and start the process of healing and feeling better for yourself and your baby. And always remember what poet and writer Maya Angelou astutely observed, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” While your metamorphosis on becoming a mother can be challenging from day to day, the journey will result in an abundance of love, strength, and joy.

 

Sources:

To locate the resources used in the article and learn more about postpartum depression, please visit the sites listed below:

Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne, MD. Postpartum Depression. eMedicineHealth.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/postpartum_depression/article_em.htm.

MedicineNet (2012). Definition of Baby Blues. MedicineNet.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26210.

O’Keefe, Lori (2010).  Pediatritian’s Role: Each Year 400,000 Infants Are Born to Depressed Mothers. How You Can Help. AAP News (The Official Newsmagazine of the American Academy of Pediatrics), online. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://aapnews.aappublications.org/content/31/11/29.extract.

Tartakovsky, Margarita, M.S.. What Everyone Needs to Know About Postpartum Psychosis. PsychCentral.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2012/what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-postpartum-psychosis.

Smith, Melinda, M.A., and Segal, Jeanne, Ph.D. (2012). Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues. HelpGuide.org. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm.

eMedicineHealth. Postpartum Depression. eMedicineHealth.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/postpartum_depression/article_em.htm.

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Yvette Hwee

CEO & Founder at Playful Bee
I'm the momma of Gemma, a curious 3-year old, and Foxin, a rambling 1-year old, so I'm deep in the trenches every day, just like you. I'm deeply passionate about early childhood education and policy. On any given day, you'll find me 1) running a mile a minute chasing after my tots, 2) busy at work with Playful Bee, 3) cuddling with my dogs, 4) chowing down on a delicious meal with my hubby, and 5) enjoying a bit of zen during a hot stone massage. As young parents, our days may be long and years short, but ahhhh...life can be good if we let it.
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