Poll: Did You Have Postpartum Depression?
Wednesday August 26, 2009
Mothers, did you have depression after the birth of your baby? How severe was it? To learn more about the spectrum of postpartum affective disorders ranging from a mild case of the "baby blues" to postpartum psychosis please read "More Than Just the Baby Blues".
Comments
Yes, I had severe postpartum depression after my second child was born and moderate depression after my first was born. I spent 7 days in the hospital after my daughter (2nd child) was born. I am so grateful for all of the awareness that is being raised out there on the web. Thank you!
Yes, I had depression for about 4 years after my first child was born. I believe that it came about because of hormonal imbalance, coupled with ceasarian surgery that left me unfit and an environment that was child unfriendly. I was burnt out from work, isolated as a mother, in an unhealthy relationship and when I returned to work after 6 months, I was exhausted constantly. I did not take medication, but eventually fixed those things in my life that were depressing.
Two of my friends died the month my child was born, and another committed suicide when my child was a year old. I used prayer to overcome my suicidal thoughts and feelings.
I have seen new mothers become addicted to prescribed drugs, and not be able to withdraw from them years after they were needed to treat depression. I believe that physiotherapy rehabilitation following ceasarian and psycho social supports for new mothers are crucial to our mental and physical health following childbirth.
I had severe depression after my twins were born. Not knowing what to expect emotionally and physically was overwhelming enough but add to that the depression…I was calling my doctor just a few days after I got home from the hospital. He didn’t prescribe me anything although if I’d known better I would’ve insisted. There was no depression whatsoever when our third baby was born. I still battled depression for several more years and later I was ultimately prescribed an antidepressant. Wow! I would never go back to not being on meds, it has made such a huge difference.