You can do this.
Postpartum depression, or PPD, can occur when you don't expect it the most and it's very different from the best known “infant” that some women experience after birth.
For single moms, attention may not be given to postpartum anxiety or other signs of postpartum depression because you may not have someone there to tell you that you are not completely acting like yours. So if you are having a child as a single parent, or if you suspect that you have some postpartum problems, there are steps you can take to help you feel. better.
What is postpartum depression (PPD)?
Postpartum depression is defined as "a type of mood disorder associated with birth, which can affect both sexes. Symptoms can include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying periods, irritability, and changes in sleep or eating patterns. Onset is usually between one week and a month after birth. "
It is important to understand that postpartum depression can affect moms, fathers, and even adoptive parents. Indeed, up to 32 per cent of adoptive parents may experience signs of postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression or "postnatal" is a real concern for any new mother – especially single moms – because postpartum depression statistics can affect up to one in seven new parents.
For single moms, postpartum depression can be particularly difficult because they don't have a partner who can share the load of caring for a new baby or can notice signs of depression when it starts to appear. Depending on their support network, they may not have emotional support.
So what can you do if you suspect you are struggling with postpartum depression as a single mother after giving birth?
I recently interviewed two single bombs who experienced postpartum depression – Ann, who gave birth to twins, and Jackie, who had a little girl – to learn about their experiences dealing with PPD, as well as their top tips. after going through it.
Jackie describes her experience with postpartum: "One of the things that didn't reconcile in my mind is that […] this was my lifelong dream to be a mom and this is an amazing newborn, beautiful, healthy in my hand. All I wanted to do was sleep and never wake up that I didn't think about hurting – hurting myself, hurting myself – and making it all go away and not have to deal with it. ”
If you have felt the same way, you are not alone. Here's how to say sure you're suffering from postpartum depression, as well as ways to make you feel better if the blues keep you down.
Here are 6 ways to deal with postpartum depression from one moms that have been there: t
1. Expect the unexpected
Jackie explains that postpartum depression was something she knew of, but not something she thought she would ever happen to her. She didn't know much about the effect she could have, emotionally or physically.
When she went to her audit two weeks after getting her daughter, she completed the survey that she was given as honestly as possible but was surprised when the doctor expressed concern about her answers. As a first time mother, Jackie had assumed that the way she felt was normal and had no idea that she was actually suffering from moderate to severe depression.
When Ann went for her examination, she thought the questions were like how you feel, t “Very awkward and very kind.” She knew that the simple thing to do would be to write that she felt great, but ended crying as she answered the survey.
Although you can be financially prepared and have practical support to organize, it's very difficult to prepare for the emotional side of having a baby. The best you can actually do before time is to know that postpartum depression and other complications are possible and could happen to you. Make sure you have a good support network and be prepared to press them.
2. Don't let shame overwhelm you
It is important to remember that depression is an illness and a common one on that. It can happen to anyone and nothing you could have done would have been caused.
Having depression doesn't also make you a bad person, and your baby won't be removed from you because of that.
3. Don't delay asking for help
It is important to get help as soon as possible as postpartum depression symptoms can worsen over time. There's no point having trouble and hope the problem will fix itself.
Your doctor or healthcare provider should be trained to recognize the symptoms of the illness and be able to refer you to help. There are a variety of methods that could help, from lifestyle changes to therapy and medication.
Ann's advice is to trust other people to be kind and supportive, even if that doesn't come naturally or easy for you. “Give people the chance to help you, to be kind, to enjoy this experience with you. Because a boy, and it's just lonely. ”
Jackie gives the same council. She recommends talking to your closest, safest friends, and being as open as possible. If you can afford it, you can hire a night nurse or a mommy assistant, or even arrange for various people to come and visit you so that you are not alone with your baby through the day.
4. Remember you are not alone
One of the reasons Ann arrived was because she felt alone during her experience of postpartum depression as well as during other periods of her journey to maternity. She liked other people to be able to search online for people's stories in situations like their situation and find the information they need.
There are people out there who know what you are going through and who can help you realize that this is not your fault or a sign of your parenting abilities. Try to get them out and get the help you need.
5. Remember that you don't have to love the neonatal period
Almost everyone loves babies; we have our biological programming to find them cute. So Ann was surprised that she didn't really like the newborn stage. “It's fun to have newborn babies in other people – not so many catching them for three o'clock in the morning,” t She says. When you're constantly tired and nobody thanks you for all your sacrifice, it's easy to get upset.
“It was very tragic at the time, but I can remember them sitting in front of their Rock Pla Plays and I'm sitting on the sofa crying,” t Ann remembers. “I remember thinking,‘ Who can I call to give them? What did I do? What did I find myself? ”
“That was invalid. I always thought, ‘Oh, people say this is empty. They are mad people. 'No. It was like this liquidation that was interesting. ” Ann explains how she is crying on everything and then inevitably feels guilty about the way she felt. Especially if you have had a hard time getting pregnant, suddenly wanting everything you wanted so bad can make you feel selfish and unsuccessful, which only adds to the emotional load.
Now, Ann can look back at pictures of the time when her children were newborn babies and thought they were sweet. Sometimes she finds her desirable that they are small yet and she's thinking about the idea of having a third child so, when looking back, not all are bad. But in the moment it can feel unnecessary and hopeless.
But the newborn stage ends and is followed by a wide range of ages that each comes with their own questions, difficulties, and delights. Nowadays, Ann enjoys the “True little innocent little ghosts” that is her children. “I don't even know how to describe it. I am only the most rewarding thing now that I have these two men mentoring them. I have a chance to show them life. And the love they give you is amazing. It is very neat. ”
The fact that life is difficult now does not mean that it will not always be.
6. Remember that your baby will be fine with a bottle
On a fortnight's postpartum check, she had to fill in a questionnaire about how she felt. Eventually, he was crying. When she saw her doctor, she suggested she tried medicine. She assured her that her babies would be right on a formula. “It is more important for these children to have a mum who can act against these breasts is the best thing”.
Ann shouted for twenty-four hours after not feeding her children from the breast before calling her and saying she was okay. He then pumped everything he could until she took her first pill.
Within a day of taking the first tablet, everything turned around. “It was like, I went to the bed one day and woke the next a brand new person.” Ann recognizes that this is not a normal reaction to post-court depression treatments and that it would usually take longer than this to feel the effects, but credit the tablets with the she needed a little boost to see that life was amazing. Overall, she was taking medication for six to eight months before she weaned herself.
Postpartum depression is a real and serious thing that you should not try to treat alone. If you recognize depressive symptoms in yourself, talk to your doctor about it. Remember also that Jackie and Ann had no idea they had depression. So, if someone says they are worried about you, listen openly and act to find out.
Seeking help, practical help from friends and emotional support from those with experience with the illness can also take weight off your shoulders. The fact that you have chosen to become a single mother does not mean that you have to take this on your own.
