Topic : Dealing with Postpartum Depression

My husband I were married about 2 years when I finally got pregnant with my son.  We tried for a year (on hormone therapy) to get pregnant, and a month after my grandmother died, we found out that I was pregnant. I was THRILLED!!  I had a pretty easy pregnancy, although I did have gestational diabetes which they found in my first trimester.  I controlled my blood sugar with healthy eating and oral medication.  I didn't have to take insulin, thank God!  In the beginning of my 8th month, I was at my OB for a routine visit, and he found that I was in early labor....they had me rush to the hospital and luckily were able to stop the labor and I was put on bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy.  I was CRUSHED!!!  Here I was....happily pregnant...lookinf forward to this beautiful baby...and then...BOOM...every move I made I had to worry if it would make me go back into labor. Suddenly, I found myself horrribly depressed...my marriage started to unravel...it was awful.  Then, I made it to full term, and I was induced because of the diabetes....I had 10 hours of labor...then my son's heartbeat kept dropping so they rushed me into an emergency c-section.  I was HYSTERICAL!!  My son was born healthy and his APGAR scores were perfect...but I couldn't help but feel I was "gipped" out of a positive birthing experience.  After we came home, I couldn't stop crying...had awful panic attacks...I stopped eating...and of course, I got no sleep.  When we took my son in for his first visit, I spoke with our doctor about having PPD, and he immediately presribed me medication once he looked at me, and heard all of my symptoms.  My husband and I went to counseling after our son was born (which I am SOOOOOOOO glad we did) and we now have a loving, supportive mutually respectful marriage!  My son is now 11 months old, and I've had to have my medication adjusted to a higher dose, but I really feel blessed to be with him every day...to have a loving family and a FABULOUS Doctor.  We will probably start trying for baby #2 early next year...and then, I feel, our family will be complete.  Peace and love to all of you....and may God bless each and every one.

I'm 19 yrs old and this past June I had my daughter. I found out in July that I had postpartum depression. I say I found out b/c I never knew I had it. Some people may think that I'm just being a normal teen but I've always been depressed. I was never really happy with myself. So after I had my daughter Hailey to me the way I acted was normal. To my fiancé something was definately wrong. One morning we were supposed to go to his grandfathers and I just didn't feel like it. I didn't feel like doing anything but sitting on the couch staring into space. I just felt blank. He wanted to take our daughter with him but I didn't want him to. At that point he had never been alone with her and I took care of her 24/7. So I refused to feed her unless he let her stay. I figured then he'd just give in. So I ended up going to the hospital to get an evaluation. Well it turns out that I have PPD which I still don't feel like I do. My depression only came once in a while. And my fiancé told some family and friends and I just get embarrassed. I don't want people to know my personal life plus sometimes I think that they'll see me as a bad mother because I couldn't deal with being a mother.

You are very lucky to have a husband who's supportive and loving.  My husband is, too.  My oldest son is five and a half years old and I was diagnosed with PND(Australian term) early on.  He was about three weeks old when I went to see the doctor.  I honestly wasn't coping well as I thought I should with him.  He was constantly hungry and I couldn't feed him enough.  But, once I was diagnosed and we got him fed enough, things started to level out.  I now have three children and while I don't have the depression anymore, things get a little hairy towards the end of the day and I have to be careful.  My temper has become very short in the last six months.

Back on subject. Please don't be offended, that is most definitely not my intention.  Your husband sounds like a wonderful man.  Trying to explain to others.  You talk about your in-laws as lacking in understanding and not offering to help.  Have you asked for it?  You know, gone up to them and specifically asked for their help?  Sometimes they don't know you need help, because they think you've got it together.

Your "friend" might need some time to let your condition sink in.  She obviously doesn't realise how widespread this disease (yes, disease) is.  Not everyone is like those two you mentioned.  Most are like you and I, who realise there's something wrong and seek help before it gets to that stage.

Just remember, you are doing the best job you can.  It's a pretty good job too.  Your babies are healthy and happy, your husband is loving and supportive.  What more could you ask for?  (Except to be free from PPD, of course. lolz).

I wish you all the best for the future and things will get better, even if you can't see that at this moment.

Bye from Australia

Ruthieg