Most first-time mothers are unprepared for the major life changes and hard work that accompany the advent into motherhood. It takes time to adapt to any major life transition and a woman's transition to motherhood is one of the most difficult and overwhelming life transitions she will experience. Unfortunately, Western society idealizes motherhood so much that many expectant mothers have fairy tale expectations of what it will be like to become a mother. In this sense, they approach impending motherhood more like Sleeping Beauties than informed mothers-to-be.
Some women read books about what to expect when they're pregnant and then move on to books about what to expect after their baby is born. Unfortunately, most books only cover the caretaking responsibilities of baby and the recovery of the new mother. They do not cover the many other aspects of new motherhood that affect a woman once she gives birth. As helpful as these books can be for learning about the physical aspects of a woman's pregnant and post-birth body, or the practical aspects of meeting the needs of a newborn, they cannot prepare you for the tumultuous postpartum period that you are about to experience. Consequently, far from feeling like a benevolent maternal figure after the birth of your baby, you may find yourself in a whirlwind of chaos and confusion as you struggle to care for your new baby, while also trying to adapt to the major life change you are going through. Even if you are excited about becoming a mother, you may long for the simplicity of your old life.
Your life will change dramatically once you bring your baby home. You will be immersed in the needs and the wonder of your baby, all of your time will be devoted to the duties of motherhood, and you may feel completely isolated as you tend to the almost hourly needs of your newborn. You will not be able to socialize like you used to, and you will most certainly not be able to do any hobbies that you used to do. You will not be able to "get up and go" like you were used to, or even watch TV or read when you want to. Your time and attention will be completely usurped by this new experience and by your little bundle. But this will only last for approximately three months and then, as your baby continues to grow you will become more experienced at motherhood, your baby won't need to be tended to quite as often as when she was a newborn, and she may even begin to sleep for longer periods of time (the operative word here is "may").
As you find yourself more confined to your home during those first three months, and as you put 100% of your attention and focus onto your baby, you may begin to feel like you don't exist any more or that you no longer matter. This is a normal reaction for many women. Again, it is a temporary phase. It is natural for you to have an undivided focus on your newborn because it helps you learn how to be a mother, meet your baby's needs, and bond with your baby. However, you will need to take some breaks, for your sake and for your baby's. Almost every mother I have met has said that in hindsight, although she didn't want to leave her baby for a second, she should have taken breaks now and then so that she could nap, get out of the house, and simply take care of herself.
Rare is the new mother who doesn't experience stress, confusion, anxiety, or even resentment when she becomes a mother for the first time. So, don't expect to "breeze through" your first three months (unless, of course, you are a star in Hollywood and can afford a full-time nanny, housekeeper, and cook!). Take it one day at a time, make sure you spend time caressing your baby, rocking her, singing to her, and talking to her, and try not to worry too much. Things will fall into place. It may not feel like they are going to while you're in this learning phase, but time will pass, you will breathe again, and your baby will get cuter and cuter. :)
Original post on New Mom Central.
[expectant mothers]
[first-time mothers]
[women]
[motherhood]
[postpartum]
[life transition]
[new mother]
[mother]
[newborn]
[baby]
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
New Mothers and First-time Mothers: A Sense of Isolation
One aspect of the transformation to motherhood that comes as a surprise to many women is the sense of isolation they feel from being restricted to the house every day to care for their newborns. This isolation is felt more keenly if a new mother has little or no support and few visitors. After the excitement of the birth of my babies had died down and my husband returned to work, I found myself on my own to care for my newborns. That is when I experienced my first sense of isolation. It took time for me to switch from being active and independent one day, to suddenly finding myself alone with two preverbal newborns all day.
Many women are shocked to discover just how restrictive being at home all day, every day, can feel. I believe being housebound plays an important role in the amount of stress and depression a first-time mother experiences during her first three months postpartum. Her baby is still too young and has too many immediate needs for her to spend much time away from home yet, so she finds herself at home virtually every day and night. This lack of freedom to come and go can be very difficult to adapt to. She may even feel like she is in prison at times, in spite of her love for and devotion to her new baby. The only escape she has from this "domestic prison" is visitors. If she does not have many visitors, then the happiness she feels being with her newborn can become overshadowed by feelings of isolation and loneliness.
A woman can experience this sense of isolation even if she did not work prior to becoming a mother. Most women are at least out and about with their friends and family and not sitting at home alone all day. But after a woman has a baby her world shrinks. Once the excitement of the birth is over visitors often slow down to a trickle, leaving a new mother feeling isolated and alone. She can no longer just “get up and go” whenever she wants to, not even for a quick trip to the grocery store. At first, she may not be aware of how much time she is spending at home because she is so busy with her new responsibilities and so happy with her new bundle of joy. But after the first month or so most women are “itching” to get out of the house. If she is planning to return to work soon she will at least have this to look forward to as a way of getting back into the “real” world. But if she has decided to be a career mother or a full-time SAHM the sudden transition to being at home every day can be a difficult adjustment for her to make.
If you receive adequate support from your partner, friends, and family to allow you to continue doing some of the same activities you enjoyed prior to becoming a mother, e.g. going out to eat, seeing a movie or play, or just hanging out with friends, it will help you feel like you still matter as an individual. Granted, you will not be able to go out as often as you used to, but a few outings now and then will help you to feel more like your old self and reduce the isolation you feel. The only way this will happen is if someone else is around so that you can take time for yourself. The good news is that the need to be housebound is temporary, although it can sometimes feel like it will last forever. Eventually, most mothers forge friendships with other mothers, connect with mothers at local kiddie parks, and join mother’s groups, allowing them to get out of the house, to socialize, and to feel more like themselves.
If you are a new mother, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting out of the house, both with your baby AND by yourself, once in a while so that you don't feel lonely and isolated being at home by yourself all day. If you have enough visitors and don't want to go out by yourself, that's fine. But take some time for yourself and away from your baby. As much as you love your newborn, sometimes you need a break. If you don't want to take my word for it, here's a link to an article that may give you some idea why it's important to take time for yourself. :)
Original post on New Mom Central.
[new mothers]
[first-time mother]
[isolation]
[motherhood]
[mothers]
[postpartum]
Many women are shocked to discover just how restrictive being at home all day, every day, can feel. I believe being housebound plays an important role in the amount of stress and depression a first-time mother experiences during her first three months postpartum. Her baby is still too young and has too many immediate needs for her to spend much time away from home yet, so she finds herself at home virtually every day and night. This lack of freedom to come and go can be very difficult to adapt to. She may even feel like she is in prison at times, in spite of her love for and devotion to her new baby. The only escape she has from this "domestic prison" is visitors. If she does not have many visitors, then the happiness she feels being with her newborn can become overshadowed by feelings of isolation and loneliness.
A woman can experience this sense of isolation even if she did not work prior to becoming a mother. Most women are at least out and about with their friends and family and not sitting at home alone all day. But after a woman has a baby her world shrinks. Once the excitement of the birth is over visitors often slow down to a trickle, leaving a new mother feeling isolated and alone. She can no longer just “get up and go” whenever she wants to, not even for a quick trip to the grocery store. At first, she may not be aware of how much time she is spending at home because she is so busy with her new responsibilities and so happy with her new bundle of joy. But after the first month or so most women are “itching” to get out of the house. If she is planning to return to work soon she will at least have this to look forward to as a way of getting back into the “real” world. But if she has decided to be a career mother or a full-time SAHM the sudden transition to being at home every day can be a difficult adjustment for her to make.
If you receive adequate support from your partner, friends, and family to allow you to continue doing some of the same activities you enjoyed prior to becoming a mother, e.g. going out to eat, seeing a movie or play, or just hanging out with friends, it will help you feel like you still matter as an individual. Granted, you will not be able to go out as often as you used to, but a few outings now and then will help you to feel more like your old self and reduce the isolation you feel. The only way this will happen is if someone else is around so that you can take time for yourself. The good news is that the need to be housebound is temporary, although it can sometimes feel like it will last forever. Eventually, most mothers forge friendships with other mothers, connect with mothers at local kiddie parks, and join mother’s groups, allowing them to get out of the house, to socialize, and to feel more like themselves.
If you are a new mother, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting out of the house, both with your baby AND by yourself, once in a while so that you don't feel lonely and isolated being at home by yourself all day. If you have enough visitors and don't want to go out by yourself, that's fine. But take some time for yourself and away from your baby. As much as you love your newborn, sometimes you need a break. If you don't want to take my word for it, here's a link to an article that may give you some idea why it's important to take time for yourself. :)
Original post on New Mom Central.
[new mothers]
[first-time mother]
[isolation]
[motherhood]
[mothers]
[postpartum]
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Expectant Mothers and First-Time Mothers: The Loss of Your Personal Life Rhythm
A woman completely gives up her personal life rhythm once her baby is born. Just as she sacrifices her own needs in order to meet her baby's needs, so she gives up her own personal lifestyle to fit the needs of her new baby. This can be a very difficult adjustment to make. Her whole world can feel like it has been turned upside down as she adjusts her life to fit her new baby's needs. Eventually she will begin to get some of her own life rhythm back, but during her "training period" (i.e. the first three months postpartum) it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under her as she struggles to gain a foothold on her new life.
Before having my own babies I lived a relatively unfettered life. Although I had my own personal routine, I could deviate from it whenever I wanted to without repercussions. But having babies changed all that because a baby's routine is pretty much the same from one day to the next. They are usually predictable in their eating and sleeping patterns. For instance, most newborns need to eat and sleep every 1-3 hours. When you aren't used to this, it takes time to get used to living your life so predictably and according to someone else's schedule.
A person's life rhythm is an integral part of who she is. Every adult has one. There are few occasions where someone's personal life rhythm is suddenly eliminated, short of prison or a major debilitating accident. Even then, the person alters his life rhythm to adjust to the situation, but does not completely give it up. His life is still about him. Even a new mother's partner continues with her or his personal routine of getting up, taking a shower, and going to work. Once he comes home from work his schedule may be different from the way it was before, but overall his routine is relatively similar to how it was prior to parenthood. This can cause the new mom to feel jealous and even resentful of her partner, as she struggles to retain some sense of her own personal rhythm while still trying to provide her baby with everything he needs.
During the first three months postpartum you can expect your life to be turned upside down (unless you have a nighttime or daytime nanny, housekeeper, and/or go back to work). But this is a temporary phase. Eventually, although you will not get your "old" life rhythm back, you will be able to get back some of your old routine and do the things you used to enjoy. You will always have a schedule that revolves around your baby (and then child as she grows), but you will be able to develop a schedule that fits your needs, as well.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[expectant mom]
[expectant mother]
[life rhythm]
[sleep]
[new mother]
[woman]
[first-time mother]
[motherhood]
Original post on New Mom Central.
[expectant mom]
[expectant mother]
[life rhythm]
[sleep]
[new mother]
[woman]
[first-time mother]
[motherhood]
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
First-time Mothers and The Stages of Transition to Motherhood
Becoming a mother does not happen in one event--birth. It is a process that begins at conception and ends months after the birth. Understanding this process can help prepare an expectant mom for what lies ahead. I have heard many new moms say that they wish someone had told them the truth about what to expect when becoming a first-time mom. Unfortunately, it is often hard to find the truth behind the fairy tale images that are presented to women about the process of becoming a new mother. It is incomprehensible to me that over the space of 9 months of pregnancy (give or take) not a word is spoken to the expectant mother about the reality of what she can expect once she crosses over the threshold to motherhood. There are many advocates (including mothers!) to the "secrecy" around the reality of becoming a mother. The fear seems to be that to tell an expectant mom the truth will only "scare" her. As a result, many women are surprised, and sometimes shocked, by the reality of caring for a newborn and the responsibilities of motherhood.
I do not subscribe to this secrecy "conspiracy." There are many things wrong with hiding the truth from expectant moms and painting a rosy picture of the experiences they can expect upon becoming a mom for the first time. First, we infantilize them by presuming that we must "protect" them from the truth, as if they are not capable of handling the truth. Expectant moms are not little children who need to be protected from the realities of life. They are women who deserve to know what to expect as they make one of the biggest transitions in their lives. Second, we deprive them of the right and the ability to plan for what's coming so that they are better prepared. Third, we take upon ourselves the roles of parents, thereby patronizing expectant mothers by usurping their rights to knowledge, understanding, and validation of their experiences (something men have been doing to women since patriarchy began). And fourth, knowing what is to come gives us a reference point from which to understand our experiences and make sense of them. To a new mother who is expecting a fairy tale version of her advent into motherhood, the shock of discovering just how hard it can be sometimes can make her feel like there is something wrong with her because her experience does not match the fairy tale version that she expected. Rather, by arming a woman with the information she needs to know about what to expect as she makes her foray into motherhood, and letting her know that every woman's experience is different and that her experience is her own and should not be compared with other women's, we make her stronger, wiser, and more confident.
The transition to motherhood occurs in three stages: pregnancy, birth, and the first three months postpartum. When a woman is pregnant she is in the first stage, what I call the “engagement” stage. Everyone knows that she is going to be a mother and she is excited and looks forward to the big event. Then she gives birth and enters the second stage, or the “honeymoon” stage. The baby has arrived and everyone shares in the joyous occasion. Friends and family come to see the new addition to the family and the new mother basks in the celebration of her new baby. It is not until the excitement has died down and she finds herself alone with her newborn that reality suddenly dawns on her—I am a mother!
The third stage occurs after the birth and lasts for approximately three months (adjusted for babies born prematurely). I call this the “training” stage. It is an initiation period during which a transformation takes place in a woman’s psyche as she develops the skills and confidence she needs to become a mother. This is also the most difficult stage when she must push herself beyond her usual limits of endurance, strength, and emotional capacity in order to meet the new demands of motherhood. There are two phases to the training stage. Phase I occurs after the initial post-birth period when a woman is still adjusting to the idea of being a mother. Phase II occurs when the hard work of becoming a mother begins and her transformation from an independent woman to a mother crystallizes. (You can read more about Phases I and II in the author's paper: The Stages of Transition to Motherhood.)
There is no doubt that babies, and becoming a mother, are one of the greatest joys in a woman's life. But to ignore the very real aspects of this experience is to bury your head in the sand. And to deny the knowledge of what to expect is to betray expectant mothers who are looking to us more experienced mothers to prepare them for this journey of a lifetime. My goal is to inform, educate, and help prepare expectant and first-time mothers so that they can have the confidence they need to become the mothers they are meant to be.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[stages]
[transition]
[first-time mothers]
[stages of transition]
[babies]
[motherhood]
[expectant mother]
[birth]
[mothers]
I do not subscribe to this secrecy "conspiracy." There are many things wrong with hiding the truth from expectant moms and painting a rosy picture of the experiences they can expect upon becoming a mom for the first time. First, we infantilize them by presuming that we must "protect" them from the truth, as if they are not capable of handling the truth. Expectant moms are not little children who need to be protected from the realities of life. They are women who deserve to know what to expect as they make one of the biggest transitions in their lives. Second, we deprive them of the right and the ability to plan for what's coming so that they are better prepared. Third, we take upon ourselves the roles of parents, thereby patronizing expectant mothers by usurping their rights to knowledge, understanding, and validation of their experiences (something men have been doing to women since patriarchy began). And fourth, knowing what is to come gives us a reference point from which to understand our experiences and make sense of them. To a new mother who is expecting a fairy tale version of her advent into motherhood, the shock of discovering just how hard it can be sometimes can make her feel like there is something wrong with her because her experience does not match the fairy tale version that she expected. Rather, by arming a woman with the information she needs to know about what to expect as she makes her foray into motherhood, and letting her know that every woman's experience is different and that her experience is her own and should not be compared with other women's, we make her stronger, wiser, and more confident.
The transition to motherhood occurs in three stages: pregnancy, birth, and the first three months postpartum. When a woman is pregnant she is in the first stage, what I call the “engagement” stage. Everyone knows that she is going to be a mother and she is excited and looks forward to the big event. Then she gives birth and enters the second stage, or the “honeymoon” stage. The baby has arrived and everyone shares in the joyous occasion. Friends and family come to see the new addition to the family and the new mother basks in the celebration of her new baby. It is not until the excitement has died down and she finds herself alone with her newborn that reality suddenly dawns on her—I am a mother!
The third stage occurs after the birth and lasts for approximately three months (adjusted for babies born prematurely). I call this the “training” stage. It is an initiation period during which a transformation takes place in a woman’s psyche as she develops the skills and confidence she needs to become a mother. This is also the most difficult stage when she must push herself beyond her usual limits of endurance, strength, and emotional capacity in order to meet the new demands of motherhood. There are two phases to the training stage. Phase I occurs after the initial post-birth period when a woman is still adjusting to the idea of being a mother. Phase II occurs when the hard work of becoming a mother begins and her transformation from an independent woman to a mother crystallizes. (You can read more about Phases I and II in the author's paper: The Stages of Transition to Motherhood.)
There is no doubt that babies, and becoming a mother, are one of the greatest joys in a woman's life. But to ignore the very real aspects of this experience is to bury your head in the sand. And to deny the knowledge of what to expect is to betray expectant mothers who are looking to us more experienced mothers to prepare them for this journey of a lifetime. My goal is to inform, educate, and help prepare expectant and first-time mothers so that they can have the confidence they need to become the mothers they are meant to be.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[stages]
[transition]
[first-time mothers]
[stages of transition]
[babies]
[motherhood]
[expectant mother]
[birth]
[mothers]
Saturday, December 29, 2007
First-Time Mothers and the First Three Months Postpartum
Your life circumstances at the time you give birth can have a big impact on your experience during your first three months as a new mom. There are many factors that influence a new mother’s experience during her first three months postpartum. Here are just some examples:
The first three months after you give birth may be one of the most difficult aspects of your transition to motherhood because, let's face it, you have never been a mother before and have a lot to learn. But it is also a unique period of time for enjoying the miracle of your new baby and building that all-important maternal bond with her or him.
* If you have depressive feelings that never seem to let up, please talk to a professional right away.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[first-time mothers]
[first-time mother]
[postpartum]
[first three months]
[birth]
[first baby]
[newborn]
[maternal bond]
[hormones]
[prematurity]
[new mom]
[new mother]
- How much support you have
- Your financial situation
- Your age
- If you have multiple newborns to care for
- If you have a caring and involved partner
- Whether or not there are breastfeeding or other newborn problems
- Current and/or prior mental health issues
- Hormones
- How you feel about yourself and about becoming a mother
- The temperament of your newborn
- The prematurity of your newborn
- Complications from the birth or a ceasarean birth
The first three months after you give birth may be one of the most difficult aspects of your transition to motherhood because, let's face it, you have never been a mother before and have a lot to learn. But it is also a unique period of time for enjoying the miracle of your new baby and building that all-important maternal bond with her or him.
* If you have depressive feelings that never seem to let up, please talk to a professional right away.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[first-time mothers]
[first-time mother]
[postpartum]
[first three months]
[birth]
[first baby]
[newborn]
[maternal bond]
[hormones]
[prematurity]
[new mom]
[new mother]
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Becoming a new mother
The first three months after the birth of a woman’s first child is one of the least understood aspects of motherhood, yet it is also one of the most important times during the transition to motherhood. Rarely is the woman who does not remember her first three months postpartum after the birth of her first child. Why is the first three months so significant in the transition to motherhood?
The first three months postpartum is a time when mother and baby are getting to know each other and adjusting to the major life change that has brought them together. For the new mother it is a time for getting her bearings on her new life role and developing her maternal skills by learning how to take care of her newborn. For the newborn, it is a time for adjusting to life outside the womb with a body that is not quite fully mature yet and can sometimes cause him discomfort or pain. This is also the time during which colic develops, a painful experience for the newborn that gets it.
In addition to adjusting to the idea of being a mother and getting to know her new baby, there are a variety of issues that can affect a woman after she gives birth—especially if she is a first-time mother. Her emotional and mental state will affect her mood and her initial experience of being a mother, which in turn can affect her confidence in herself as a mother. The types of issues that can occur vary, e.g. mental health problems, physical and hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, difficult personal situations, the absence of an adequate support system, the physical strain of labor or C-section delivery, fear of pre-term delivery, the break-up of a primary relationship or another major loss, a history of depression or other mental illness, etc.
It is important for women to understand that there are many factors that affect their experience as first-time mothers. It isn't always joy and bliss, and it isn't always anxiety and exhaustion. It just depends on your situation. However, for far too many mothers in the U.S. (and other Western cultures) there is little help or guidance on doing one of the most important tasks for our species: taking care of its young. So, as a result, many women do not know what they are doing and feel very overwhelmed and nervous when they have their first baby. Even a woman's mother is often unable or reluctant to assist her in developing her maternal skills. Becoming a mother is one of the most life-changing events that will ever happen to a woman and she needs some guidance and help if she is to get through it with the joy and bliss that she expects. So, try to make sure that you get help if you are going to have a baby. And, don't wait for others to offer help, ASK FOR IT! Never be afraid to ask for what you need. Everyone needs help sometimes, and new mothers need lots of it. That being said, I am aware that there are women who feel they need no help and that is fine. Maybe they have experience, maybe they have a natural inclination, maybe they have a nanny or regular daily help from their mothers. Whatever the case, it doesn't matter. Every woman's experience is different and every woman needs different things to get her through one of the most difficult periods of motherhood--the first three months postpartum after the first baby.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[expectant mom]
[mother]
[new mom]
[postpartum]
[women]
[newborn]
The first three months postpartum is a time when mother and baby are getting to know each other and adjusting to the major life change that has brought them together. For the new mother it is a time for getting her bearings on her new life role and developing her maternal skills by learning how to take care of her newborn. For the newborn, it is a time for adjusting to life outside the womb with a body that is not quite fully mature yet and can sometimes cause him discomfort or pain. This is also the time during which colic develops, a painful experience for the newborn that gets it.
In addition to adjusting to the idea of being a mother and getting to know her new baby, there are a variety of issues that can affect a woman after she gives birth—especially if she is a first-time mother. Her emotional and mental state will affect her mood and her initial experience of being a mother, which in turn can affect her confidence in herself as a mother. The types of issues that can occur vary, e.g. mental health problems, physical and hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, difficult personal situations, the absence of an adequate support system, the physical strain of labor or C-section delivery, fear of pre-term delivery, the break-up of a primary relationship or another major loss, a history of depression or other mental illness, etc.
It is important for women to understand that there are many factors that affect their experience as first-time mothers. It isn't always joy and bliss, and it isn't always anxiety and exhaustion. It just depends on your situation. However, for far too many mothers in the U.S. (and other Western cultures) there is little help or guidance on doing one of the most important tasks for our species: taking care of its young. So, as a result, many women do not know what they are doing and feel very overwhelmed and nervous when they have their first baby. Even a woman's mother is often unable or reluctant to assist her in developing her maternal skills. Becoming a mother is one of the most life-changing events that will ever happen to a woman and she needs some guidance and help if she is to get through it with the joy and bliss that she expects. So, try to make sure that you get help if you are going to have a baby. And, don't wait for others to offer help, ASK FOR IT! Never be afraid to ask for what you need. Everyone needs help sometimes, and new mothers need lots of it. That being said, I am aware that there are women who feel they need no help and that is fine. Maybe they have experience, maybe they have a natural inclination, maybe they have a nanny or regular daily help from their mothers. Whatever the case, it doesn't matter. Every woman's experience is different and every woman needs different things to get her through one of the most difficult periods of motherhood--the first three months postpartum after the first baby.
Original post on New Mom Central.
[expectant mom]
[mother]
[new mom]
[postpartum]
[women]
[newborn]
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Postpartum Depression
The risk of postpartum depression (PPD) is at its highest during the first three months after a woman gives birth to her first baby (data on adoptive mothers is not available). This does not mean that you will get it, but you should be aware of the symptoms if you do. Taking steps to help yourself if you are experiencing PPD will be beneficial to both you and your baby because it will help you feel better, which will affect your interactions with your baby, as well as your energy level in caring for her or him.
Here’s a link to a recent article that outlines the specific symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). If you are a new mother and are experiencing these symptoms, first of all do not be alarmed and, secondly, talk to your doctor, a friend, your mother, anyone who will take you seriously. You need to be able to talk about what you’re feeling and to get the appropriate help if you need it. Certainly, if your depression becomes severe enough so that you start hearing voices or feeling like you may harm yourself or your baby, see a professional IMMEDIATELY.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/2007/10/09/postpartum-depression-and-national-depression-screening-day/
Original post at New Mom Central.
Here’s a link to a recent article that outlines the specific symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD). If you are a new mother and are experiencing these symptoms, first of all do not be alarmed and, secondly, talk to your doctor, a friend, your mother, anyone who will take you seriously. You need to be able to talk about what you’re feeling and to get the appropriate help if you need it. Certainly, if your depression becomes severe enough so that you start hearing voices or feeling like you may harm yourself or your baby, see a professional IMMEDIATELY.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/2007/10/09/postpartum-depression-and-national-depression-screening-day/
Original post at New Mom Central.
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