|
Post Partum Depression can strike about a week to ten days after your child is born. Your child birth instructor or doctor may describe it as the "Baby Blues" or tell you that you may feel a "little down". Unfortunately, for some women Post Partum Depression can be more extreme than feeling a little down. If you happen to be one of the many women who experience more intense depression, anxiety, insomnia or lack of interest in your infant, there are some steps you can take to help you through this incredibly trying experience.
*Get Plenty of Exercise: Studies have shown that exercise can help alleviate the symptoms of PPD. Make sure you only do exercises that have been approved by your OBGYN depending on your delivery. Regardless or the type of delivery you had, there will be some exercises you are permitted to engage in no matter how small they may seem. Even a little exercise can help boost your seratonin levels which will help with symptoms of PPD.
*Get As Much Rest As Possible: Getting adequate rest is no small feat when an infant is involved, especially if the child has colic or there are older siblings in the house. This is the time to accept any and all help offered to you. Don’t be a martyr. If someone offers to help take some of the load off your back, take them up on it! Getting enough rest also requires knowing when to let things go. Let your spouse or other family member help with chores for the first few weeks, and sometimes you just have to let things slide. The laundry will be there waiting after you’ve had a little nap.
*Talk About Your Feeling: Not speaking your mind can exacerbate the symptoms of PPD. If you are feeling particularly stressed, frazzled or weepy—talk about it. Tell your spouse exactly how you feel. If you need some time alone, turn the baby over for an hour or so and do something for yourself. Take a hot bath, read a good book, or watch a favorite TV show. Simply expressing yourself and letting those feelings out can make you feel better. Taking time for yourself can do wonders for a new mother who is feeling overwhelmed.
*Talk To Your Physician: If your symptoms seem to be getting worse or last longer than two weeks, talk to your physician. Some women take longer to get over PPD, especially if they happen to have a more severe case. Some women will require medication to get past this hurdle. Although the number is among the lesser frequent cases, it still exists. You must treat PPD the way you would any other illness. If you need help, seek it out. Now is not the time to take more on your shoulders.
*Call A Hotline: Most major hospitals have a resource for women who have just given birth. This information will be given to you either after the birth or possible before by your physician. Take advantage of these hotlines to speak to experienced counselors who will be able to offer you more than a shoulder to cry on. They can help you talk through you feelings and possibly evaluate your situation to determine if you need to take further steps.
PPD is more common with women who experience PMS. Also, if you have PPD with your first child, your odds are greater of experiencing it again with your second child. If you are prepared, PPD need not be a traumatic experience. Above all, you must remember that it is temporary and that no matter how bad you feel, or if you seem to feel cut off from your baby and others, you are not a bad mother. PPD will pass and you will be able to enjoy your child without the frazzled feeling brought on by your shifting hormones.
| 
