I have a problem with asking for help.
Not when it came to postpartum OCD, though. Since I was convinced it was a given that I'd be carted off to jail or a padded room, I was pretty unafraid of reaching out to a doctor. I had given up, accepted defeat, raised white flag. I made that call and … well, nothing bad happened. In fact, I got better.
My problem is asking for help with this blog. I have devoted six years of my life,thousands of hours and MANY thousands of my own dollarsat this point to create it and keep it going. I don't regret it for one nanosecond, because I love y'all and I love Postpartum Progress and I truly believe it is important to have a place where women can find information in "plain mama English" about postpartum depression and other mental illnesses related to childbirth. I plan to keep going for as long as I need to. As long as someone out there can still benefit from this blog. As long as you still aren't tired of me.
My husband keeps telling me that there are those of you who, if I just asked, would contribute to keeping Postpartum Progress going. I don't ask, though, because that horrifies me. Asking for money?! Are you kidding?!!!!!! I don't know why that is. I just don't feel worthy. It feels mortifying.
The truth of the matter is though, that this is an ENORMOUS, life-consuming undertaking for which I could use any support that someone is willing to offer. I don't have a paying job anymore so that I can devote my full energies to writing this blog, answering all the emails, and guest writing at other sites so that moms will have the best and most comprehensive info on PPD. So …with that said, I'm going to swallow my pride …
You can now find a donation button on the right-hand side of your screen, just under the search feature. It looks like this:
I have been inspired to do this by Liv from the blog Choosing Beauty, who out of the blue sent me $100 smackers (wow!) to support Postpartum Progress. She was my first ever donation. Unsolicited even! Read what she wrote about "paying it forward" and her decision to give money to this blog here. I'm still so honored by her generosity. Thank you a million times over Liv!
If you feel that Postpartum Progress is an important service, or you feel that you or someone you loved was truly helped by the information and support offered here, I hope you will consider donating so that it can continue to exist and grow and so that other new moms and moms-to-be can benefit.
If you would like to donate:Click on the donation image — clouds with a heart in the middle –in the right-hand sidebar of this website. (Don't click on the image above as that is not a live link — only the one in the sidebar.) Clickingwill take you directly to PayPal's secure server. Then you just enter the amount you'd like to donate in the little box. If you have a PayPal account, you can sign in and complete the donation that way. If you don't, you can still donate. Just look to the left of the login box and you'll see a message that says "Don't have a PayPal account?" and click the "continue" link.
Now I will go hide under a rockto avoid furtherembarrassment.
You are amazing lady! There is no shame in asking for help. You provide a VITAL service to all of us. You have helped me out more than you know and for that, you deserve the world!
Thank you for all the hard work you do!!!
Love the image you chose for your button. I have a hard time asking for money too. :::shudder::: But if it means helping you continue your work, then I say brava to you for making the request!
There is ZERO shame in it. Now to plan so I can pay it back to you.
I think this is a splendid idea. Politicians should be ashamed of asking for money……I have yet to understand what service they provide. Postpartum Progress, on the other hand….this has been a wonderful resource and life-saver!
This may be off topic for this post but I was wondering…has anyone experienced a relapse after going off medications? I had PPD and was a year into recovery when I began to wean off AD, with ok from my psychiatrist, of course. I've been off AD for three months now and the past few nights I've had trouble falling asleep. Anyone else experienced this? I'm deathly afraid of a relapse. Thanks.
I'm so glad you are doing this Katherine! One question…is it possible to set up a recurring monthly donation on paypal? That way some of us could donate a larger amount over time but pay monthly with an automatic charge to a credit card or bank card? I've done this with other charitable donations and it is a big help to a busy working Mom.
Ann, I've had this happen to me as well and it generally means your doc weaned you off too early. In my case, I hadn't been entirely honest about EVERYTHING I went through with my ppmd so I actually needed more time with the meds then my doc initially figured. This was no fault of hers of course but had to do more with my feelings of shame and guilt. In the end, I had to go back on for a while longer. Better to do this then fall back entirely.
Now back to what the post was about,
No probs Katherine. You do provide a great service, so I know I'll be donating!
Katherine,
This has so been a life saver! As soon as I can, I will be donating.
Have you looked into getting non-profit status? Then donors would have the tax write off and you could apply for some grants! Send me a message, I work with grants at my non profit job and maybe we can start planning for the future!
Thank you for your support Kimberly!
Yeah. Very uncomfortable. But my husband challenged me to get past that, and so here we are.
Thanks girl!
I'm so glad you don't think this is a stupid idea! Thanks Carrie!
Good idea. Let me get to work on that.
Yes, I do need to get non-profit status but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be able to apply for grants.
Hi Katherine:
You have been a life line for me, through the blog, and taking time to answer my emails. I PROMISE as soon as we dig ourselves out of the huge medical debt that has been accrued between my son's stay in ICU and my own PPD issues you will be the first to receive a donation. Next time I even have a spare $20 I'll send it your way as this has meant and helped me so much. Plus, all of the work that you do, I think it's only fair that you compensated.
This blog was my Beacon for sure when the OCD hit hard and scarious!!!! I like the monthly donation idea!! I would totally support that… don't be embarrassed please… you have saved sanity and provided lifesaving information and comfort to alot of PP women….. glad to help.
I had a relapse about 4 months after stopping my AP. I found it was once my periods came back and my cycle returned to normal that my first "relapse scare" happened the last two weeks of my cycle. It was terrifying…and then once I got my period and felt better, I was just baffled. I haven't had an episode that bad again since, but I'm still trying to work out the best treatment options with my doc. In my case, my doctors are leaning hormonal.
Let your support system and your doctors know what is going on – better to head it off and be prepared than to just hope it will go away. Hopefully it's just a couple of rough nights, but if it's not at least you won't waste any time. But try not to get ahead of yourself. That "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling will diminish with time.
Hi Ann, I had the same experience as Susan. In the months following my complete weaning, I would have relapse scares in the 5-10 days before my period. I feared that I still needed meds but my therapist suggested I pay attention to when the symptoms were and they were always at my period. I hope this is the same for you!! Maybe 5 months later and even those symptoms were gone…
Thank you! I appreciate any donation people are willing to give!!
Oh Joan! Please don't give unless you have extra! It's more important to pay those medical bills. Trust me, I understand!!
We got your back. Next chance we have you will be getting something from us. "a worker is worthy of her wages" 🙂
I wish I had found you six years ago… Reading your blog, everything I experienced finally makes sense. I will make a donation as soon as I am able, but in the meantime I will tell everyone I know about your blog. You are providing information and support to a group who do not always receive it when they need it the most. More people need to know about this!
Oh, and I LOVE the word scarious.
Thanks Kim!
I wish you had found Postpartum Progress six years ago too, if only so you wouldn't have felt alone. It's the worst feeling — I felt it too. Let's hope that in the future there will be fewer women who feel that way.
Thank you so much for your support!
Thanks ladies for your replies. I feel so much better that others have experienced this. You know, it is a week before my period and I've had the occasional bad night, usually due to PMS but now its been about 5 consecutive nights so i'm a bit worried. Also, I think after a few rough nights I've developed an anxiety about falling asleep and getting enough sleep. I do eventually fall asleep but it takes a few hours. I'm seeing my doctor later in the week. Thanks again. This website has been tremendously helpful and I have no problem paying it forward.
HAHA. How funny..I find it impossible to ask others for help aswell..but had NO problem asking for help with PPOCD because I figured I was animal crackers. NO SHAME in asking for donations. Goodness girl! Honostly, Im surprised you havent earlier than this. How many years have you been doing this now? You are definately do for some outside help! I will make a donation soon. What you do helped me soooo much before I was able to get an appointment to meet with a therapist. Whenever I had/have bad moments I check back here and feel like Im not alone. You deserve help. and you shouldnt feel ashamed for asking for it.
HI, I would love to donate please do not feel bad. U have dedicated so much of ure life and it has helped many people. The only problem I am having is when I click on what website am I donating to? I just need a little more help with trying to donate…Sorry..I do have a paypal account but it asks who I am sending it to and I am not sure what to put in!! Thank you for everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Animal crackers. Love it! Me too!
I've been doing this 6 years now. Wait. In fact, it's the 6 year anniversary next week.
SIX YEARS! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
I'm really glad Postpartum Progress has been helpful to you, and I'm glad to have you here!
Thanks Christina.
You should be able to just fill in a box (you can see about half my logo — that's all I could fit for some reason). The to is to "Postpartum Progress" but that should already be in there.
Just sent $25 and I'll be sure to send more in the future! Best use of $25 I can think of!
Thank you!