I felt completely awful about myself when going through postpartum depression, or more specifically in my case, postpartum OCD. Full of shame and guilt and ickiness. If there was a place lower than Hell, further South than Antarctica, darker than a black hole, I was there. I needed someone to help me see that rather than being weak and defective, I was strong. I didn’t feel strong, yet I was. Because as sick as I was I still tried to make it through each day the best I could. Even though I was violently ill, I made the effort to hold it together as much as I could to care for my baby, with breaks of falling apart in between. Looking back on it now, and knowing as many of you as I know who have been through perinatal mood and anxiety disorders or are going through them, I see you as strong, beautiful women who are growing, albeit painfully, into strong, beautiful mothers. You are my Warrior Moms.
Thus the inspiration for the Postpartum Progress logo, the Warrior Mom:
I’m so proud of all of you and your Warrior Mom pride.
Oh, and guys reading this site, don’t worry. I’m not ignoring you. In fact, if you’re a guy and you read Postpartum Progress you are a hero as far as I’m concerned. We need more men like you taking a proactive approach to learn all you can and support your wives, sisters, friends, daughters, girlfriends and partners. You can be Warrior Dads.
And for that matter, other people reading this site who haven’t had postpartum depression, who I’m going to call Other People Reading This Site Who Haven’t Had Postpartum Depression, we love you too. Thanks for taking the time to inform yourself about our world. Support from all sides is paramount.
If you need Warrior Mom badges, click here.
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