Postpartum Progress is a place for moms who are in a mighty struggle — whether during pregnancy, postpartum, or after a loss or an adoption — to regain their emotional health. We work so damn hard and endure so much pain to get to the point where we can fully enjoy and embrace our roles as mothers, and we work that hard for one chief reason: our babies.
I know that struggle. I’ve been there.
Some of you have been coming to Postpartum Progress for a long while. You’re on the road to recovery but it’s a long and arduous slog. Others of you have just found your way here, maybe a few days ago, maybe today. You’ve been searching for a place where somebody gets it, hoping somebody will tell you that you’re not a bad mom. That everything will be okay.
Welcome home.
Others of you are new here today and have never struggled with PPD, but you’ve struggled with something, of that I’m certain. We all do. And thank God for the internet and social media, which has allowed so many of us to find our tribes.
I know Postpartum Progress has saved lives, because many of you have told me so. That’s an amazing thing considering it took so little effort to start this blog. I shelled out $25 bucks or so and started typing. All I had to say was, “This is what happened to me.”
Imagine if it took a similarly small amount of effort to save a child’s life. That simply by saying a few words you could protect a mother from a lifetime of grief.
Well, voila. You can. Right now. No credit card needed. No checks. No cash money. No Paypal. No solicitation in the mail with a pre-paid envelope. No public television phone-a-thon drive thing. No change from your pocket in a bucket at a stoplight. No money at all, not even wampum. Nothing but your words. Here. At this place where we try to save lives. Where you already have changed and even saved the lives of mothers by being part of this community and others where we speak up about mothering. About parenting. Where you have said, “This is what happened to me.” Now you can save the lives of children, too.
Your comment on this post = $20 donated to Shot@Life by anonymous donors
$20 = four life-saving vaccines for a child who wouldn’t otherwise get them (measles, pneumonia, diarrhea & polio)
You and your words = A CHILD’S LIFE SAVED
It’s that simple. Over the next few days, between now and August 31st, I need every single one of you to comment here, below, on this post. Tell us who inspires you. Or tell us why you’re here. Or tell us whether you’ve found your tribe. Or tell us that you don’t really know what to tell us but just want to save a life. Just comment, and once you do it, you’ll have made a world of difference. It takes so little effort.
* * *
Welcome to Blogust. I’m pleased to say that today is my day to support Shot@Life’s Blogust: Bl
All of the bloggers participating (who are AMAZING, by the way) have been asked to write about someone online whose comments, whose words, inspire them. Well, y’all, that’s not a difficult one for me. It’s you, the readers of Postpartum Progress.
Every time you courageously write about your pain or confusion, your sadness or anger, your attempts to get help and struggle through, you inspire me. It doesn’t matter if you got help early or late, if you’re sailing through treatment or still trying to find the one that works, if you’re afraid to reach out, if you’ve let go of the guilt or are still pissed off that you have or had this illness, your honesty and willingness to tell it like it is has helped more women than you know. This site wouldn’t be what it is without the entire community of people that are behind it, in front of it and in the middle of it every day.
Through the end of August, just a few days away, I need at least 300 comments on this post. That’s a tall order, I know. I’m a little scared of it, frankly, given how so few comments I’ve been getting lately here. I know these days it’s hard to find the time. It’s much easier to take a millisecond to click the thumbs up on Facebook and move on to the next thing. But I need you to do it. And I know that sometimes it helps to help others when you are suffering.
Karen Walrond, from Chookooloonks, has deftly handed me the Blogust baton. After you’ve commented here, if you go to her blog and comment you can save another life. Tomorrow, I gladly pass the baton to Fadra Nally of All Things Fadra. If you go to her blog, you can save another one after that.
I’m thanking you in advance. Let’s show the other Blogust bloggers what a supportive community we can be, not just to our own cause, but to the cause of saving the lives of other mothers and babies.
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This post is inspired by Shot@Life, an initiative of the United Nations Foundation that educates, connects and empowers the championing of vaccines as one of the most cost-effective ways to save the lives of children in developing countries. You can learn more about Shot@Life by joining their email list, following them on twitter or liking them on Facebook.
I found pp when I first learned I had severe postpartum cd and depression. Through this website, and many other resources, I have healed and am now fortunate enough to share my story with moms around my local community. Thank you Katherine for shelling out the most well spent $25 of your life.
Woohoo! Saving a kid’s life is the best part of my day — especially when it’s at the prompt of an awesome person like you, my friend. 🙂
K.
I’m glad I found this blog through the Shot@Life campaign. I am bookmarking it and sharing with others! Thank you!
I want to save a life!!! 🙂
YOU my dear are saving lives. It’s a BEAUTIFUL thing. Thank you!!
Fabulous posts for those of us without ppd too!
Katherine, you never stop amazing me. You are a gift and I am so grateful for all you do – and also to your husband who I know has been such an amazing advocate and support of your important work. Three cheers for the Stone-Callister family. You rock!
Darn auto-correct — that was meant to be “Callis”. But wait, that’s another comment. J xo
Thank you for all that you do. Honored that be part of this life-saving initiative with you.
I have struggled with postpartum depression with two of my babies now. I love the fact that my own struggles have allowed me to help other women. I’m actually grateful for the opportunity now!
Great article!!! I am pregnant with my 2nd chIld. I hoping I don’t have PPD but If I do this will definitely help.
I tried so hard and so long to get pregnant that when I wasn’t picture-book happy with a newborn I was terrified. It was cognitive dissonance I couldn’t share. Since emerging from that I’ve worked to help other mothers and aspiring mothers deconstruct the myth of abstract perfection and embrace their individual perfection. Thanks for being here for that.
You are right, Katherine! Everyone HAS struggled in their lives in some way! Struggle is a part of the human condition. Fortunately, so is compassion, empathy and love! What would we do without people like you who reach out and help–give voice to the struggle and the needs of so many.
I am so honored to be on this relay with you. And so happy to have finally come to your site and seen for myself why you are such a hero! THX for all that you do!
As I am struggling with PPD for the second time, this site has been a place for me to come and feel not alone. Thank you!!
You are so amazing. Thank you for being a voice for so many women.
What a great way to help! 🙂
I want to save a life! I am also in awe of the support system that you have created on twitter for women with ppd. I suffer from depression and have a toddler. My onset came when she was a baby but we had adopted her. I wish I knew of your resources then. Keep up the amazing work Katherine!
Here you go Babe-o! Have a life. On me. 🙂
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing.
This is awesome. I love it when the community bands together for good.
One of the most powerful pieces of my recovery has been the awareness that I’m not alone, that there is support, and there are women that wlll say “me too!” when I open up and tell what I once thought were deep dirty secrets. Thank you!
You’ve done so much for mothers and their families over the years Katherine, you’re a perfect fit to do even more today with this post. Consider this just one of 300. If you need, I’ll offer 2, 3, and 4 too.
You are an amazing woman, my friend. xoxo
I can’s say that the healing is happening, at least I can help someone else.
Hi Catherine! Thank you for being a part of the Blogust team — your work is an inspiration!
Loved this find…especially liked your other stories about 5 reasons why asking for help sucks and 8 ways to be a good mother instead of a perfect one – both reads for mothers of any age. Thank you for posting for Shot@ Life – but more importantly for moms like me at any age.
I am here because I lost one pregnancy and now have two darling children who are more precious than anything. The thought of any other having to loose one of her children physically pains me, a quick comment and yet another kid gets vaccinated is such a no brainier. Thank you Katherine for your honesty on your blog and for participating.
I’m leaving a comment!
Awesome! You are amazing and so is Shot@Life. Love their program!
Coming here has given me so much-my life back, a tribe of women who have become friends IRL. Thank you for the chance to help pay it forward & help save the lives of other mothers & their kiddos.
You know that I already think you are amazing. I’m happy to support you and happy to know you’re passing the baton on to me. What an awesome cause and use of our voices!!
Thank you for this amazing project!
I so get PPD – many, many thanks.
Such an amazing project. Tweeting now!
This is an amazing thing you are doing 🙂 Posting and sharing.
I never understood intrusive thoughts until I found Postpartum Progress – in spite of dealing with mine in the presence of my shrink for months. When I read the words of other moms who had experienced them, I GOT it. So thank you for helping me overcome the horrible thoughts I used to suffer with, and thank you for all the work you do on behalf of women and families everywhere.
Keep the comments coming !
So many of us would have been lost without the support of your blog. It has been a life savor for me as well as a PPD Support group I attended. It was all the love, caring words, encouragement and support of your words here and that in my group that gave me the courage to seek help on a professional level to start battling the demons of my past. Its been hard. I am grateful! Keep fighting for us!
I’m so glad this website exists — so many women struggle with PPD alone. Thanks for giving moms a place to show up fully without judgment!
Amazing group of people here- and information to read when you don’t know who to turn to…..I was referred to this site by a dear friend who may not have even known my secrets. She was my first step on the road to recovery—I have severe PPD and Anxiety. Thank you for the safety of this powerful website
Never heard of this site before now but I hope my comment helps
Recognizing and treating post partum depression and saving lives through global immunization. I can’t think of two more important issues. Thank you for championing both!
This is a wonderful post, and I love that you are supporting this cause. I love even more that just commenting will help a child. Thank you, Katherine!
Katherine-thank you for your work. I am a therapist in Indiana and your work is an asset to my practice and my clients.
Hi Katherine,
I had PPD after my second child (now 5 y.o.), but I didn’t know it for a long time. I wish I had known about your website back then! It would have opened my eyes and given me a support system that I really needed at the time.
Love the work you’re doing and happy to share.
Thank you!
Katherine, it’s wonderful to hear your story and to see what you are doing to help mothers. You are doing a wonderful job here! I run a website called The Power of Moms, and we haven’t done a post on PPD yet, but I would love to explore the idea of having you guest post with us. Maybe you could share a little about your experience, include a few of your most helpful ideas, and then share some success stories from your readers? You’re doing great work!
First off: I love this. It’s people like you, and Frada and other warrior moms and dads who use their voice and influence to do good in this world. Wether it be through a fundraiser, speaking out about mental illness or making us laugh, these people inspire and push us all to enjoy life, be better, have fun. I applaud and appreciate very single person on social media and in the blog world who is brave enough to put their voice out there.
Thanks for being a part of the relay and for helping to save lives everyday!
Wish I had known about you 14 years ago… Hope you can help all the others who suffer in silence.
Yay! saving a life because I love brie and mozzarella and cheddar and jarlsberg and all cheese.
I have only had PPD with one of my four children. I will never forget how I felt. Thank you for sharing your story and for keeping this campaign going. I have loved reading everyone’s posts and for the opportunity I have had to comment and give a child a ShotatLife.
It is easy to like a post or re-tweet something to indicate a connection. But it is far more important to acknowledge those in our lives who have helped us by telling them that they made a difference comment do count. I hope you reach the tall order of 300. Thank you for doing your part to help others via this blog and Shot@Life.
Katherine, thank you for working so tirelessly on behalf of mothers and children… everywhere!
I am excited to see there is a place where women can go to get the help and support they need. So many people believe that postpartum is all in your head but after losing a pregnancy and falling into a deep depression for months after, I know that it is very real. Back when I had mine, almost 13 years ago, there wasn’t very many support groups around. I felt so alone. I think this is great. I also enjoyed “5 reasons why asking for help sucks”
Thank you for the service you provide on your blog to those who need it, and thank you for participating in Blogust!
Thanks for writing this for Shot@Life! As a fellow Shot@Life advocate who has been working with this program since January, I am honored to see so many people coming together to help save lives. I also have a connection with PPD and if only I knew eight years ago, about your blog and blogging in general (I just started 18 months ago), it could have truly saved me. I did get through it on my own, with help, but having an online community to help me would have been amazing. I get so much out of my blog today by building relationships with my readers and getting support. Thanks for being there!!!!
Postpartum Progress is the number one site I share with my clients because it’s written in a way that they understand and immediately let’s them know they are not alone and can get better. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks so much Kristin! That’s so nice to hear!
Free shots for every child!
I had PPD with my second kid. Hope this comment helps you help others. You rock!
Wow, thanks for calling attention to TWO very important causes. Thanks for participating in Blogust!
I was diagnosed with PPD after my daughter was born and I could see it coming. I had a very difficult time with feeding her and she cried for the first six months. So after my son was born and things were very different this time around the PPD kind of snuck up on me. I was more ashamed with the diagnosis this time around because I thought I had it under control.
It is a wonderful thing when moms get together to support each other without judgement as well it is an honor to be involved in helping to save a child’s and mother’s life!
I never experienced Post Partum personally, but I know how many women who have experienced it. They feel alone, misunderstood, and like there is something wrong with them. I always remind them to go see their doctors, since this is now understood as a recognizable condition, that can be treated. Thank you, Katherine, for informing the public about Postpartum Depression, how to recognize it, and how to get help. 🙂
Katherine, as usual, you are so inspiring. May we continue to help so many children and their mothers as well. Honored to be a part of Blogust with you.
What a better way to start Sunday that saving a precious children life! Thank you for supporting and helping mothers in developing countries enjoy their children.
Thanks for everything you do Katherine!
The more we talk about the real struggles moms face, the happier we all will become.
Katherine, what a wonderful cause and great idea!! I absolutely love this website and have even had other mamas contact me through it. Thanks for all you continue to do to support Moms who simply need a little compassion, understanding and a friendly ear.
Post partum progress helped me realize I am not alone.
I love you… I love this site… I love what shot@life is doing… Love… This is wonderful and beautiful xoxox
It’s a beautiful day to save a life!
It’s so true. When we take the leap of sharing such personal struggles, it’s the people who respond to say they’ve been there or that they sympathize – they’re the ones who give us the courage to share some more. Our courage in turn empowers others.
Honored to be part of this effort with you.
I have just discovered your blog, but I’m so glad I did. I had a baby almost a year ago, and while my PPD was very mild compared to some cases, I still recall feeling lost, scared, and sad that I was so sad.
Thanks for being a resource and a comforting shoulder for so many who suffer.
Stumbled over here via Karen Walrond and am loving that with each keystroke I am able to do something meaningful! We can do so much for so many-with our words. What a wonderful thing!
sunshine and smiles ..
I am blessed to live in an area where medicine and emergency services, clean water, and food are currently available. A place that allows me to be thankful for being able to question an seek. It’s also a position of responsibility. Thank you for making this opportunity available to myself and for the children who aren’t afforded the luxuries of such simple things like clean water or medical care. Love to all people. One world.
Go Katherine!!
Brava, Katherine! As always, I love what you do. Keep on keeping on, honey! xo
Keep up the amazing work. So glad there are great resources out here like this site.
Wonderful program. Way to go, Katherine and shot@life.
you’re awesome for doing this!
Saving lives one person at a time…. Go Katherine!
A childs life saved! Thanks, Katherine!
Polio kills, Polio leaves lifetime problems in those who survive. Polio and many other diseases are 100% preventable with vaccines. My dad had poliio as a kid in the 50’s. Because of the vaccine, he didn’t worry about his children contracting the disease. Thanks for helping out with this, Katherine!
Katherine–You are amazing. Thanks for always being so willing to help others. You are seriously one of my faves. xoxo
Always inspired by you Katherine!!!
Glad to be a part of this effort and to have a chance to comment!
Thank you for sharing this and letting us contribute. I wish you and all of the mothers and children all the love and health in the world.
Thanks for the opportunity to support vaccination. I know many moms that don’t vaccinate, and it really frustrates me at times that they believe the risks of vaccination outweigh the benefits.
Thank you for this opportunity, Katherine. I’ve been reading PP Progress for close to 5 years, through the births of my two kids, and the “crash” of PPD with both of them. Your posts were a great source of comfort and information during the times when I really needed to know that everything was going to be ok. Now that I’m recovered and my 2.5 and 4.5 year olds are flourishing, I still enjoy reading PP Progress. Again, thank you.
Thank you for everything you do, Katherine!
I love it when social media is used for good! So amazing. And thanks to you women brave enough to share your struggles and offer a voice of hope to those who need it.
I am honored to be able to participate in this effort.
Thank you, Katherine, for the continued great work that you do around the world!
So glad this program exists!
Brilliant idea – well done!
I would not expect your usual number of posts of late to have any bearing on the number of comments you’ll get on today’s post, as I don’t typically look at blogs at all but have been doing so this month for Shot at Life. These posts have nothing to do with you or with postpartum depression or with blogging; they are a conscious effort on the part of caring people everywhere to save lives in an amazingly simple and painless way. I would look not at your blog’s comment record but at Shot at Life’s comment record to predict whether you’ll reach your goal of 300 comments by the end of the month–and I would almost be willing to bet money (which I never do) on the likelihood that you will reach and surpass that goal.
By the way, I was saddened to see your use of foul language when I began reading what you had written. Such degradation of yourself and your readers is not worthy of any woman, let alone a mother. Please endeavor to clean up your speech so that you may properly represent the nurturing femininity that is motherhood.
I’m saddened by this strange comment on a post that is meant to do nothing but help children by a blogger who does nothing but help women. “Foul language” or no, Katherine saves lives with her site: mine included. She represents the nurturing femininity of motherhood better than most of us could ever hope to.
Amen, Morgan. Well said. Thank you Katherine for your passion and deep love for our motherhood tribe… and thanks to shot@life and all the women involved in this campaign for giving us all an opportunity to help make a difference.
I want to echo Morgan’s words. Katherine not only represents the ‘nurturing femininity of motherhood’ but she helps countless women feel worthy of motherhood. I am sad to see the way you took this post. Katherine saved my life years ago, and continues to be a pillar of support. If you allow her “foul language” to distract you, that’s on you.
Dear Melanie, Please don’t ever visit my website. Ever.
Dear Katherine, Foul language, when used by people of wit and substance, is an artform. You are an artist and a warrior. A warrioristress. Which sounds like waitress. Which you are not. Thank you for all of your advocacy for women in need.
I love what you’re doing right here!
I have to say that this relay for life has been one of the best campaigns I have ever supported. It is simple, it is easy, it is free and it matters. With pleasure I leave you a comment. And thank you for being a person for whom women can feel safe.
No one should ever feel they are alone.
I found your blog through Karen’s, but I also suffered through PPD – thanks for your good work. 🙂
Thank you for using your space for this incredible cause!
Stopping by to support you and ALL the good you do in this world, “foul language” and all. I’ll raise my righteous fist and say EFF YEAH, let’s save some lives and help some babies and moms. You’re AMAZING, in every way. Please don’t ever change 🙂
Lying next to a sick, sleeping baby and happy to share a comment to help another mother not have to worry about something. Motherhood has enough unpreventable worries.
In 2004 after the birth of my second daughter I fell into what I did not know then was ppd. Left untreated I ended up in a psychiatric ward with major depression and panic disorder. I made several attempts on my life.
Everyone should know the signs,
Everyone should know how to support a loved one,
Everyone should know they are not alone and they are loved.
Thanks Katherine for all you do.
Lee
So thankful for you and all you do, Katherine.
I’m here because YOU inspire me. I’m here because I want to help save lives. I’m here because I love what you are doing. XOXOXO and thank you!
Congratulations for making a difference again and in a different way. The world is a better place with you your log and others like it or people to turn to.
I love all that you are doing for women, Katherine! You inspire me!
xoxo
Thank you for being you! In every way you are making a difference! So proud to know you!
It’s so easy to help a child, save a life. Thank you!
In 2001 I went to South Africa on a mission trip. My experience was overwhelming and changed my life forever. 9 years later I had my first son and suffered PPD/ Anxiety. That experience was also overwhelming and changed my life forever. I found Postpartum Progress in the middle of my dark days and was so relieved to not feel alone. I’ve been given positive experiences and negative ones to help me find my passions in life. This simple comment will help me bring those two things together. My wish is that every child gets the same health care as my son and every mother gets the same support as I do.
Thank you!
Saving a life…what a great cause.
Happy to help! <3
thanks for sharing. I never heard of your website but I wish I did when I had PPD
Kathrine, you are awesome. It’s only 9:45 and you’ve got over 100 comments; I’m pretty sure it won’t take much to reach 300 =) This movement by Shot@life is inspiring, and I’m a huge advocate of increasing access to life saving preventative vaccines. I’ve struggled with PPA and PPOCD in the past and I think this blog and its community are incredible. You do life saving work, Katherine. Thank you for all you do. =)
Fabulous. So glad to be a part of the Warrior Mom crew. Everyone remember to tweet, FB and share this post! Best, Amber
You have the kindest soul. Thanks for being you.
I’m enjoying all the Blogust posts about why blogging and social media are so important. But this one – wow. It makes me want to sing and dance and cry. Because it’s so true and it reminds me why we’re here.
God bless all of these children – and you, Katherine.
Yet another way that social media can save the world!
Thank you PP!
Just here to comment for the vaccines!
Thank you, Katherine. I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder post-partum onset, and I’m still struggling. I find a lot of inspiration in your blog.
I’m so glad you found us. Please know you’re not alone. You WILL get through this.
~ K
What a wonderful campaign.
hi! is this where I’m suppose to comment on how much i love cheese? ok, i love to helping kids more than i love cheese but i love cheese perdy darn a lot. i went vegan for 33 days in 2011 and the hardest thing was no cheese. it was a sweet reunion when my vegan challenge was over. never doing that again. ev-ah.
Thank you for sharing this AND your story. You’ve saved so many lives in the process.
This blog was an invaluable resource to me in my time of need.
Thank you Beth!! I really appreciate hearing that!
~ K
I’m here because I survived PostPartum Depression. I didn’t just survive, I have thrived, in very large part because of your blog, as well as #PPDChat. It was PostPartum Progress that inspired me to really start blogging and keep at it, and blogging has been more of a help in recovering than I can ever say.
I’m also here because I want to see lives saved and commenting seems like such an easy way to accomplish that. 😀
You’re doing a good thing, here.
Cheers to you!
This campaign has to be my favorite thing that bloggers have ever done–coming together to show the power of one little comment and how it can impact people we’ll never know. Love that you’re part of it!
Happy to take a moment and support this very worthy cause! Thanks for all the work that you do Katherine!
Great article… I want to help saved child.
I had PPOCD and it was the most difficult experience of my life. Thank you for all you do to help others. I hope this post helps!
Thank you thank you thank you for all you do Katherine. You’re an amazing woman, and *bonus* someone I love to hang out with whenever I have the chance. You inspire me!
The bonus is all mine, Ann.
~K
This is a fantastic initiative, raising awareness, raising funds and making it easy for us mouse-potatoes to get involved and help out.
It should also encourage us to think – and discuss – the necessary education campaigns that should accompany such immunisation drives. There is still a lot of ignorance to be overcome, even in developed countries such as the USA, and unfortunately, we are now also dealing with the backlash of the covert operations in Pakistan that took place under the guise of vaccination campaigns.
Lots of work to do, but, as the famous proverb says, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Thank you for participating!
Great article… Glad to help.
Happy to support your efforts today Katherine!
Fabulous cause. Thanks for setting this up!
Mothering a child is not easy. But it’s made easier knowing you can keep them healthy. Hoping to give a mother and child that gift through posting.
Katherine,
thank you for your blog and finding a way to support others with the ongoing struggle of motherhood. It’s exciting to be part of such a great effort!
You already know I adore you – so it’s no surprise you’re involved in this incredible effort. I hope that everyone comments and you surpass your goal beyond belief. It’s so simple to do – everyone should be doing it!!
So glad you’re a part of this, Katherine! Yes, here’s to saving the life of one more child. I love what you do for moms. 🙂
Jen
What a wonderful way and simple way to save lives. I’m honored to leave this comment and help make a difference.
Wow. That was easy.
Love that you’re involved with such a worthy cause.
Thank you for helping to save lives.
Absolutely wonderful! Keep up the great work, Katherine!!
Happy to comment to help save a kiddo’s life. If only everything was this easy!
This is a wonderful!
Your community and voice has inspired so many. The work you have done and your effort to support Shot@Life is so very crucial to give moms, children, and people everywhere a shot at a long and positive life.
Keep up the fantastic work – saving lives and sanity!
Here for Shot@Life. Great work everyone.
YOU, Katherine, are one who inspires me greatly. I’m so grateful for your voice. And a whole other lot of bloggers, too.
What a wonderful program and gift. Keep saving lives.
What a beautiful message and idea! I’m so happy to help support such a wonderful cause!
This is a great cause!
You are great for doing this 🙂
Way to go, Katherine, Shot@Life and all of you amazing organizers of this. I’m so proud of you all and glad to participate.
Wow, I was all ready to talk about cheese!
Seriously, I have had my own struggles with PPD
With 2 of my 4 kids. You are doing a fantastic thing here.
Great resource!!!
You can talk about cheese too if you’d like! 😉
One way to save lives is to educate on postpartum depression, another way is to provide vaccines for a child who wouldn’t otherwise get them!
Thanks for all you do. I wish I had had this resource 6 years ago when I suffered from my first bout of PPD.
I will always be willing to help out my friend at Postpartum Progress, and, in turn, mamas and babies around the world. Your words, both on the blog and in Daily Hope, are powerful antidotes for me and I am so grateful that you have been so honest and forthcoming with all of us. Cheers, mama!
Cheers to you!!!
You inspire me, these comments inspire me. Lets do this!
I’m so lucky, on so many levels, to have you behind me Deb. Truly.
~ K
My daughter was what they call “strongwilled”, meaning Hell on Wheels from the moment she was born. The nurse handed her to me as we were leaving the hospital and stated-she has a mind of her own. She didn’t sleep threw the night until she was 2 and a half. I remember thinking that if I tossed her off the back deck I could get some sleep. Deep down inside sometimes the Momma Bear in me had to protect her from even the overwhelmed me. What helped me, (besides meds)was a little saying I had for her: Thats right Brittney, you grab Life by the throat and shake it real good. Saying step aside Miss Brittney is coming through.
What an amazing campaign!!! Honored to take part.
As a mental health professional and survivor, I am grateful for Postpartum Progress and Katherine. Motherhood continues to be the biggest transformation of my life and the words, wisdom, and support of other women is always the most healing and needed. As I write, I can’t help but to pause and send a prayer to the mothers who have not yet found this support and to those who never did and are still valued and missed.
This initiative is absolutely amazing, I am so moved by what you are doing here, I am happy to help in any way that I possibly can, even if it is just spreading the word and stalking the baton holding blogs for the next dew days! Thanks for being so awesome!
I firstly would love to save a life! I stumbled upon this article because I had PPD with my lovely daughter. At the time, I felt so alone, but it is so relieving to know that there are others just like me. I am now a Warrior Mom, and am actually thankful for having PPD. If I never had it, I wouldn’t remotely be where I am today. Thank you, Katherine for your daily encouragement. Of course, there is the risk of seeing PPD again with my next child, but having the tools, knowledge, and support systems I do now, I know I will be strong and ready to fight.
Thank you for these words, Brittney. They mean a lot. And you know we’re behind you all the way!
~K
Thank you for all you do Katherine. It’s so important.
Thank you for posting this, Katherine!
I love this blog and these posts. I have no children but lost my cousin to Postpartum psychosis this year. Thank you for helping melearn more about this illness.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Deeply. Hugs.
~ K
The PPD community has helped me more than I can put into words. I’m always happy to do what I can to help other moms and children!
Never stop doing what you are doing. It was a brave mom who shared her story on your site that saved me. I was in a headfirst downward spiral convincing myself i was a monster. And her words and shared experience literally began my recovery. Thank you to every woman on here. Stay strong, thank the people in your lives that have helped you along the way. I owe a great deal to my wonderful husband. And pray. Love to you all. Xoxo save a life today.
Lovely comment. Thank you. It just shows how important it is that we all speak up about our trials and our frailties. What a difference that mother’s words made!
~ K
Saving lives is this easy? Awesome.
This blog is such a great resource for moms. Thank you!
You write so beautifully. You’ve helped me to feel proud that I’m a Warrior Mum. Bx
Katherine – THakn you for writing about PPD and your experiences! I am the Mom to three little girls and am now on the road to recovery from PPD. Just in the last month I was able to say I was enjoying life again, after a very long time. I have no shame in telling people my story – if someone had told me their’s after my first, maybe I would have recognized it then, or after my second, when the feelings of despair and the anxiety increased but it wasn’t until after my third, when my husband finally said that I needed some outside help and I sought that help because up until then I thought I was just sleep deprived. Keep writing – i for one am glad I found you!
I’m glad you found me too! Happy to have you with us!
~ K
PP articulates exactly how I feel…I’ve never read words that pinpoint my thoughts so perfectly. It’s so comforting to know there are other moms who feel the same way, and you don’t have to feel the lesser for it. This site is amazing and a priceless resource for women. Thank you for everything you do, including participating in this beautiful charitable program. <3
wow
thanks very much for participating, Katherine
Katherine, thank you for being an inspiration and calling the mamas on-line an inspiration. Have you tell you I don’t feel like one, but I’ll take that high praise from you.
What a cool thing! I hope this makes a big difference in someone’s life!
I’m inspired by people like you who are willing to share themselves with others who may otherwise feel alone, as well as others who make the effort to try and see what makes people do the things they do, the good and especially the less so, and extend compassionate understanding to them. Thanks for what you do.
I struggled with PPA starting at about a month after my son was born – I felt like I had lost control of my brain. I took great care of my son but couldn’t take care of myself – a friend spotted the symptoms and got me to the doctor in time to get help. It was terrifying and the reason I am only having one child even though I always wanted two. Thank heaven for you, Katherine, and your supportive blog.
Thank you Kristin. I’m so grateful your friend was so thoughtful and supportive. Now if only every mom could have a friend like yours!
~ K
I hope this helps save a life! 🙂
This site seriously helped save my life and so I would love to help save another’s.
So happy to hear that Hannah. Thank you! So glad you found us!
I’m glad to not only support by leaving a comment, but I am also glad to find a great resource.
pave dauphinois. ; )
But of course, Erin. Bien sur.
Well, isn’t this a neat thing. Great way to raise awareness.
(And you DID say we could talk about cheese… right? So here it is: a cheese slogan I thought up one day while cleaning out my fridge. Great Rinds Stink Alike
No, seriously — best of luck with this campaign. I hope you get lots of comments and save lots of lives. What a good thing for you to do.
Someone from the Dairy Board needs to steal that immediately.
Recently started following you on Twitter, so, rare though it may be for me to do something like this, I’m following a link and following the instructions therein, in the hopes of making a difference.
My favourite cheese is “Mexicana”. It’s wonderful. Only the original will do – supermarket knockoffs just ruin the cheese experience.
There, another $20 😉 Best of luck!
This website is such a valuable resource to women suffering, or who have previously suffered, from postpartum mood disorders. I’m so glad that I found it.
What an AWESOME cause!!
I had PPD during the last trimester of my last child. It was a rough time besides the fact I had to work full time & raising 2 older children.
So glad you’re participating. I’ve been commenting all over the place!
Yeah for Vaccines!!!!
Thank you so much for creating a healing community for those of us struggling with ppd. I always feel better, lighter and more empowered, after spending time on PP.
I’m on my “maternity sabbatical” from finishing my LPC license, but when I go back I plan to work with Warrior Moms. Your website is a wonderful resource for me to keep up with research and news related to perinatal mood disorders. Keep up the great work!
I’m here to help save lives ~ very cool!
Such an easy way to help in a very big way. Thank you for all you do for women and children – in so many ways. 🙂
Keep,up the good work. Hope you get the 300 comments.
Posting to save a life on a site that helped save mine. Thanks for all you do!!!
Glad to help 🙂
Thanks for participating with shot@Life!
What an amazing community you’ve helped build. Well done!
Such an incredible thing you are doing. Postpartum Progress has been, and will continue to be, a safe place for people to come and share feelings, raw emotions, support and heartfelt advice. I am so thankful that you created it and am honored to leave a comment and help in your efforts to continue saving lives all over the world. Thank you so very much. xoxoxo
Thank you so much!!
~ K
Go go go!
I think every mum and every baby deserves the best shot at life, whether that is through mental health awareness or the basic necessities of medical care, such as vaccines.
Such an amazing cause! So glad you are apart of it!
Great Post. Thank you!
You’re amazing, Katherine!!!
My stepmother passed away yesterday and so I am commenting in her memory to save a child’s life.
This website has been such a blessing. When I felt like I was going crazy from PPA/OCD, it was a great resource to me. Knowing that I’m not alone and even seeing my own thoughts exactly reflected by other posters has been a tremendous help on the road to recovery.
This is a very cool post; thank you for contributing!
You are a rockstar mama!
I was a stay at home mom…not always fun and at times very boring. But, I can say my children are 30 and 26 and they are my “finest” accomplishment. I love them and feel so fortunate that I was able to be at home with them. Motherhood is not easy but what else is more important.
I have had the worst Anxiety since delivering my 3rd child on June 30th 2012. I had bed rest for 6 weeks prior to delivery- then had preeclampsia and thought I was going to die ( while receiving mag Sulfate). Being a nurse did not help with my anxiety during and after my delivery. Then, to top it all off, my baby ended up in the NICU for 4 days. My BP is still high, I am on 2 meds and I am 8 weeks postpartum. The anxiety still comes on fast and furious, and I notice when there is any change in my routine. I have NEVER had it like this with my 2 previous deliveries. I was on Zoloft throughout the pregnancy and now have to take a benzo to help when it gets too bad. My milk supply is almost gone….the list goes on and on. I found this blog and it was a true blessing to realize I was not alone and not Crazy!!!! Thank you so much for raising awareness.
Go Blogust Go! I’m amazed a simple comment can make a difference.
Important topic to address. I don’t get depressed during/after pregnancy–just sick, sick, sick!
Whoo-hoo! You are an inspiration and so glad you are part of Blogust! XO
My ppd is sneaky… Waits in the shadows to ambush me. Or at the playground in the light of full day. Something about those unguarded moments make me tear up and feel suddenly feel incapable of being a good enough anything to anyone.
Katherine, thank you sooo much for everything you do to save lives around the world! You’re an amazing person doing amazing work.
Thank you everyone for being here so we all know we are not alone!
Love this. Happy Blogust, Katherine.
Thank You Katherine for providing help with moms struggling with ppd. Now you are helping vulnerable children with your plea for all of us to comment. Here’s hoping that we help many children on your watch today ( on of all days Mother Theresa’s birthday – a great advocate for the forgotten).
Thanks for doing this!
Great cause!!
Just want to show my support and save a child!
Thanks for being awesome. I know you will make your goal 🙂
For so many of us older readers, we probably failed to realize ppd. I am so thankful that today’s mothers have resources to help them..
Thank you for the incredible work you do Katherine!!
Woot! 🙂
I am commenting because I am a fan of postpartumprogress and because as another mommy blogger put it, “no child should ever die from diarrhea.” thank you PP for all you do for moms and for participating in this campaign.
PP was a blessing to me through a dear friend who also struggles. Many times reading meant tears streaming and in my mind screaming “YES! Someone else gets it”
Thank you for having the courage to share to save moms and to share this to help save others as well.
sunshine smiles and rainbows ..
Your blog saved me. I don’t say that lightly. So thank you.
Wow Lucie. Thank you so much!!
~ K
I admire what you’ve done here on Postpartum Progress and what the good folks at Shot at Life are doing. I’m commenting help save a life.
I adore you, that is all.
Great cause! Let’s save lives!!
You are amazing! Thank you for all that you do!
Thanks for inviting us all to help save babies.
You are inspirational and have such a supportive “voice” ringing out to women who suffer from postpartum mood disorders!
Thank you for your wonderful blog, Katherine! I found this site (and you on twitter) shortly after I realized that I was suffering from PPD. I felt like I was the only one and your blog made me realize I was not alone. I got help and am now finally enjoying motherhood! Thank you, thank you.
Lady, when you say it took so little to start this blog…well, you are not mentioning the many hours of work, the courage, the leadership you’ve shown us all! You helped me so much when I needed it- I’m like thousands of grateful women in your fan club! Thanks for participating in Shot@Life!
I love this. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do. I so admire you.
I want to save to life! I love the work you do. Thank you.
What amazing work you do every single day…quite literally saving lives with your words.
I think it is a wonderful thing that just by commenting I can save a life. Thank you for giving me that super power!
This is just too easy to do to save a life. Thanks for putting it out there. I found your blog after I was mostly over my PPD but I keep reading because it continues to help me heal. I’ve told my story more and more lately and each time, it feels like it really is going to all be okay. I’m expecting our second baby and worried about another bout of PPD, but I’m so glad to know that this blog is here for support if it does happen again. Thank you for all your work to help us be survivors and not just victims of this terrible disorder.
I’m so proud to have you as a friend and so grateful life brought us together. Keep fighting the good fight u fierce mama! xoxo
Thank you for doing this. It matters.
This is great cause and I want to help save a life! Katherine, you are amazing and I have been following PP for 4 years now. It has helped me in so many ways. I suffered with PPD and anxiety twice but the second time around I had a great support group and this blog with all its resources! Thank you!
What a great challenge! Thank you for all you do, for the information you share and the conversations you start. I am doing well on my journey with postpartum anxiety/ocd but keep coming back here, and I always leave with a little more understanding and a little more comfort with what I have gone through. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am here because postpartum progress helped save my life.
I happened upon your blog one especially dark day this past February and wept as I read a post about letting go of the guilt of not breast feeding with PPD. It was exactly what I needed to read. I shed more tears as I read the comments and realized that I was not alone. Thank you for starting this blog and thank you for supporting Shot@Life!
Thank you so much for doing this. You do so much to help moms, and it’s amazing to see you doing more.
I think this is a wonderful way to save the lives of children in need. Wow that was really easy!
This is a wonderful place. Keep up the good work, mamas.
You do great work and I enjoy following you on twitter! Yeah for saving lives! ( Shot@Life campaign )
Thanks so much for doing this!
Yes, yes and yes. I love this post, the premise behind this post, the writer of this post, and her incredible heart.
Katherine since finding you I have realised I am SO SO not alone. My son is four and I’m pretty sure the circumstances surrounding his birth led to me relapsing after ten solid years of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
The feelings, depression, anxiety, and fear associated with postpartum depression, post-natal anxiety, and PTSD … can kill. In many different ways. Thank you for sharing your story about this. Maybe one day I’ll be able to tell my own. Because I’m still processing what the hell actually happened.
XXXXXXX Love you FIERCE, warrior woman.
Thanks for the great post
God bless us all.
This site has meant so much to me in the 13 months since I was hit hard with PPD, PPA, and PPOCD after my son was born. I’m still recovering, but not floundering so much as I was. It’s my goal to gently inform friends and family that it can happen to anyone and everyone should be prepared.
Thank you for all you do!
I am a postpartum doula and have referred many new mothers to your site. We all find it so helpful! Thank you for the work you do!
This website helped me to feel connected to other women when I was going through PPD with no PPD specific therapy groups nearby. Thanks for helping me and I hope this helps you get to 300 🙂
What a great idea! I’m glad to be a part of it. You are right when you say everyone struggles with something. We just all deal with it differently. I’m glad you and your website have been with me as I journey through the hell that is PPD. It’s good to know there are so many others like me!
I came to PP after suffering horrible PPD following the birth of my son. I needed to know that I wasn’t alone. I needed someone who had been there to tell me that it was going to be ok. You did that. Thank you, Katherine.
So glad to be a part of this awesome cause! Thanks for participating!
This is awesome katherine! And so are you. You are a constant source of inspiration to me, and so many others.
Great post and so many comments!!! Awesome job for Shot@Life!
Katherine you are my hero – Thank you for all you do for women like me x So glad this will help save a life
What a wonderful and inspiring thing you are doing here. Your blog and work has helped me immensely through my own struggles with PPD and I feel honored to be able to help and give back by doing this. You are an inspiration and I thank you for what you do!
Sooo, basically, if I DON’T comment on this post, an anonymous donor with money to spare will withhold $20 and let a child die…?
Katherine, you smaze and inspire so many. Thanks for all the work you to to improve the llives of women and their families.
So close, Katherine! I think I’m comment #296!!
I am inspired by my husband. I found Postpartum Progress when I was diagnosed with PPD and didn’t have anyone to talk to so I did a little search and have been so inspired by the brave women who have told their stories.
I want to save a life! it’s an honor to be sharing the Blogust experience with you Katherine.
Searching facebook after my pnd diagnosis i found this page, followed to the blog and have been inspired by, cried, laughes and have found myself feeling honoured to have shared in the stories and posts of other mothers.
saving the life of a mother and her child is an amazing thing!
Katherine your site was the biggest factor in my “ah ha” moment when I realized there was a name for what was wrong with me 4 years ago after my daughter was born. And to this day Postpartum Progress is still my go-to site for PPD information and for spreading the word to fellow moms. Thanks for all you do.
I want to help save a life, and I’m so happy you have this set up!
Thank you for all you do. You are an amazing woman, Katherine, and have touched so many women and their families through your support.
Thank you for this site. Thank you for offering support to all mothers out there.
The work you do here is invaluable, and the stories from others are awe-inspiring. Recovery is a reality Moms….don’t forget it!!! 🙂
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you are a life saver for being a truth teller and comfort giver. You’ve been a beacon of light for so many mamas who got swept into the darkness of PPD and other postnatal mood disorders. I wish, wish, wish I’d known about your blog when I was stumbling through my darkness, but I am so relieved to know it’s here for so many others when the lights go out. What a fantastic program; so happy that a simple comment can do so much good. xo
I can’t imagine being without my own support group, friends and family who have helped me not just make it through, but do so with joy. I’m glad you’re helping others to do the same, to find those friends and voices they need to hear.
My children are grown now, but I still remember the day I had some baby blues after my second delivery and a friend “happened” to show up on my door step. She knew my husband had just gone back to work that day, so she stopped by to check on me. When I opened the door and saw her, I started crying. She asked what was wrong and I didn’t really have an answer. She visited for a few minutes, hugged me, and said she was going to rally our friends in the neighborhood to do meals for us that week. And she did! The blues were sporadic for a couple of weeks and then passed. It was amazing, though, how much her simple act of organizing meals made such a difference.
What I had was just ordinary baby blues, for which I’m so thankful. But it gave me a lasting sympathy for women who suffer from a deeper and longer lasting depression, through no fault of their own. I’m so glad there are now online resources. I find myself recommending PPD websites for clients at the pregnancy resource center where I work. Thank you and others like you who are so transparent and tireless in your efforts to help other families.
If it means saving a kid’s life, you can have ALL my wampum.
Except the orange ones.
Good work, y’all.
Thank you for your leg of the Blogust. It gives us, readers a chance to participate in this wonderful event.
Love this campaign. And Katherine, you have saved many lives. Many of us mothers. For that, thank you.
Dear Katherine,
YOU inspire me. YOU. Your words, your heart and your hard work. Thank you for writing this and supporting Shot At Life. You are a hero.
I haven’t read the comments, but I’m sure that if I say you inspire me (which you TOTALLY do) that I will be echoing what many others have said. I’m going to say it anyway.
PPP was a god send after I had my son. Thank you for all you do, Katherine.
I have struggled with PPD and now I am struggling with so much more. But I know I am not alone and can get help. What an awesome thing that is. I wish I could help EVERY SINGLE hurting person in this world. But if this comment means even ONE person was getting help, I would still write it. Because I need to pay it forward in some way for all the help and love and support that has been given to me–specifically because of Katherine and this place.
Save a life or two or three.
Popping over to say that you are an inspiration and I’m so glad to know you! Thanks for creating this place for so many mothers.
This website is a blessing. I really admire all of you. Good luck!
Glad you shared this in the GSMM group. Always happy to support members and amazing causes! Thank you for always making a difference.
Continue the amazing work!
Thrilled to support and save a life! Thank you for everything you do to help mothers everywhere.
I applaud those that share their experiences, the good and the bad, to help others.
I am so thankful that a blog like yours exists. I wish I would have found you sooner!
So glad to have a way to help.
Thank you for sharing your journey. Depression and down moments can come at any time in this journey we call motherhood.
Blogging has helped me find a network of support to reach out to.
Blessings to all the needy children your work will help.
Katherine, thank you for sharing and supporting the many struggles that new mothers and other women share. Thankfully, we can always turn our pain into happiness by helping others, such as the Shot@Life kids!
Here’s to the future, the kids of the next generation!
What a great way to make a huge difference for children!
What a wonderful initiative. Thanks Katherine & PP for all that you do & all that you are. And here’s to saving more lives xoxo
It’s amazing to see so many comments! Keep up the great work!
The power we have as mothers is incredible. (And often we over look this fact.) Not only are we pivotal in our children’s lives, but we feel the responsibility to reach out and embrace others, too. Every child deserves a chance at life.
Well, the least I can do is comment on the eve of my second child’s second birthday and tell you that YOU saved MY life way back, and you saved my sanity again a few weeks ago. You are so lovely and your presence in the world makes it a better place, Blogust or no. Keep being you.
Bravo! Let’s save as many children’s lives as possible!
What an amazing thing you are doing!! I am commenting to help out!
Katherine helped save so many of us! So in return, how can I not help her save a life too….
I have always thought that it is imperative that Moms have a support system…to know that what they are going through is normal, okay, that someone else is going through it, too. Without that, motherhood would be impossible. Thank goodness for my village!
I survived ppd/ppp because I was informed and had a supportive husband. More info to more moms to be.
I don’t feel alone any longer!
PPD is one of the hardest things a person could go through. I am proud to say that I am a survivor and all though there are plenty of hard days still, I have come very far in my struggle. I hope to hear more about others who have overcome this. <3
Just one more reason why PP is the best website ever!
Katherine, the work you do here is amazing. You’ve saved so many lives already; I hope this helps you save one more.
I found my tribe through Postpartum Progress and finding the other Warrior Mom blogs. Thank you for providing this resource Katherine. Your site helped save my life.
Always an inspiration Katherine – thank you.
Thank you for participating in this great cause!
I want to help a child! This site has helped me kick ppd’s butt two times! 🙂
I really believe Postpartum Progress helped save my life. And now I feel great being able to save another.
So nice of you to say Jess! Thank you!
~ K
Thrilled to be a part of the cause.
I personally suffered a severe problem in my body that nearly killed me a few years ago. While it took something a bit more complex than a vaccine to cure me, I still can appreciate the need to get these things to as many children as possible. Here’s one from me.
I am here, and I am commenting. Let’s hit 300 fellow readers!
I want to save a life! Thanks for everything that you do!
You never cease to amaze with the good you do. Thank you for letting us all help make a difference today, too.
Thank you Katherine for saving lives, mine included! What you do is amazing!
Thank you for thinking of others!
Thanks for all you do!!
Thank you, Katherine, for a smart, thoughtful, compassionate, and well organized site rich with resources and news. I first heard of postpartumprogress.com through a therapist in 2008 while suffering from PTSD caused by the ppd with psychosis after having my first child in 2005. The warrior mom shield was tremendously comforting as I went through a second “am i crazy to even try this?” pregnancy and recovery after my second baby in 2010. I only wish I had such accessible support like this before I became the more educated mom I am now! Keep up the inspiring work and continue letting us know how we can support in any way!
Thanks Rose!
~ K
How awesome that this can happen!
I love your blog so much Katherine! Thank you so much for doing this! I am constantly inspired by Esther Dale (Journey Through PPD). She is doing so much to combat the stigma against postpartum depression and was instrumental in helping me to recognize it when I experienced it myself.
Thanks for blogging for Shot@Life’s Blogust!
God Bless those who struggle and cope with PPD.
This is such a great cause.
Thank you for this and for your hard work to identify and treat PPD!
I’m here because I love the education and honesty here. I also want to save a life. Imagine the joy of the parents whose child can finally get these vaccines?
I suffered from PPD after all three children and after the third child, it was definitely the worst. I found you and your blog then. I was seriously on the edge of something so dark and scary but I never had a clue how to ask for help. Luckily through writing from you and others, I was able to put my own thoughts down and get the help I needed.
Keep doing what you do. Your voice is so needed.
Just wanted to leave a comment so that the $20 would be donated!
Such an amazing campaign. You are inspiring.
I want to save a life, I’ll be sharing your post, too.
Katherine, I am so proud of the work you are doing – raising awareness and making a difference in the lives of others. What an awesome cousin I have! Keep going out there!
I have an 8 week old son and have used your website to help sort out my feelings about the experience. Your underlying tone about loving life as a mother is refreshing. I wanted this baby and didn’t expect to have such a strong reaction to new motherhood
Thank you. I’m so glad you are here with us.
~ K
I”m so happy to comment and help. This website seems like a great reference to send friends who might need help!
Thanks
I found your site when I started blogging about my experience with depression. I was diagnosed with PPD in 11/08 and just weaned off my SSRI two weeks ago. PPD + my dad suddenly dying + a colicy, high-maintenance baby … well, it took a looooong time to feel better. I wish I knew about your site when I was first diagnosed, but I’m glad you’re here for all the women who need you!
This amazing woman and her website helped save me glad I can help return the favour! 🙂
So glad you are doing this to give even more mothers a chance. One more thing that makes all you have built so amazing.
I want to help moms!! I study PPD in Mexico for my doctoral dissertation.
I’ve gained so much from this blog. Thank you. 🙂
I still remember the first time I was able to sit down and play with my son and enjoy myself. I had played with him before because I ‘should,’ but I had never *wanted* to before. It felt like waking up from a long sleep. It felt like meeting him for the first time all over again. I could never have gotten help without the love and support of my family and friends, and the connection to other moms that this site brought me allowed me to be open about my experience and receive even more support as I recovered. Thank you.
My son inspires me to be healthy and happy. I’m definitely the best mom I can be if I am healthy. And I wouldn’t be healthy or happy without Postpartum Progress.
I love this community for helping moms like me. The ones who think they could never be depressed and then BLAMO. I learned a lot with my first pregnancy and postpartum period. I met some great people and found great resources that I shout from rooftops now. I don’t want anyone else to feel alone in their battle. I am now 4 weeks postpartum with my second son and hoping to beat it this time and if not, I know where to turn. Thank you for everything.
Blamo. I love that!
Great work!
I’m thankful there is a safe space to learn and share. I’ll be a new mom in January and know I have much to learn from those who have gone before me.
Such a beautiful cause! Thank you!
I love all of these women.
Keep up the fantastic work. You make me proud to be on Team #blogust.
I want to save a life, because so so many have saved mine. <3
Great work Katherin! Glad I can help!
PPD and Anxiety stole months from me and my child, and PostPartum Progress helped me make sure I don’t let it take anymore. Cut my losses, know I am not alone, and verbalize what was happening to me to my loved ones.
So glad I saw this in my twitter feed! Love!!
There are moments when I feel like PPD is going to destroy me. Literally. I can rarely see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for creating this site and community. It means more to me than you’ll ever know. Just to know that there are other women out there who have gone through what I’m going through. It makes me feel like I’m not so alone.
You are not alne!!! I PROMISE IT WILL GET BETTER!!! I have been there and it’s dark, but you will see the light soon!!! : )
There was a long time that I thought I wouldn’t make it, and that my baby would be better off with someone else. Surviving PPD/PP anxiety was one of the most difficult battles of my life. No one should have to do that alone. Thank you for this blog and all you do to help women know that there is hope.
This is such a wonderful campaign and I’m so proud to see so many of my friends and favorite writers participating!
Thanks for all you do, Katherine.
Katherine, I love what you and the other bloggers are doing. Thanks for supporting such a good cause!
This website helped our family so much in a time where we needed it so much.
I support Shot@Life. Every child should receive lifesaving immunizations. I immunized my children, and my baby didn’t catch pertussis as a result when our babysitter and our neighbors’ children caught it. In the US, most of these diseases aren’t fatal, but they are fatal in the developing world. I hope Shot@Life raises enough money to give all of these children a Shot@Life.
It’s so wonderful to see so many wonderful women participating in this!!
So happy to help a child! Blessings to all the Postpartum Progress does and will continue to do.
You helped me and want to pass it along!
My doctor never told me about PPD. When I would cry is his office, after giving birth, he’d tell me to get more sleep. I felt so alone, unhappy, isolated, etc. I couldn’t sleep or eat. Finally, my fouls called the doctor and tools him I needed help. I found this site not to long ago and am so grateful. PPD isn’t something that’s openly talked about, but I felt a connection within this community. Thank you so much.
This is awesome! It is because of this website and posts like this that I am still here today with my beautiful family. I struggled with PPD and anxiety and was neerer treated appropriately. My daughter is now 1 1/2yrs old and I finally receivd the treatment I needed 5 months ago! Proud to say I am so much better today! I PROMISE THERE IS HOPE!!!!
What a great resource for moms!
Thanks for all you do!!!
While your blog is targeted for women suffering post childbirth mental illness, I found it very helpful myself as a man who suffered severe depression following the birth of my first child. Thank you for all you do and especially for supporting Shot@Life
Well that’s awesome to hear Justin! Thank you!
~ K
Oh, and I like all kinds of cheese! Fresh Mozzarella is probably my favorite though!
Thank you!!!
Great article, thanks for the chance to do something charitable and helping out others in need!
My friend, this is a wonderful post.
shot@life is doing wonderful work…i hope they know that even those of us without children are incredibly grateful for what they are doing!
Such a great thing to do!! Love it.
Boom. Just saved a life and it’s not even noon yet. Glad you are a part of this project, Katherine.
My daughter inspires me. She went through ppd with her second child and I did not know anything about it. I pray. Withthis third one she is well. She has not said.
Another PPD survivor who thanks you for making this a place to go for help!
I <3 Postpartum Progress!!!
Wow! I just found your site and am SO GLAD that there is someone out there providing support to struggling moms. My baby is 4, but I still need help and am so glad you are out there!!! Keep up the good work and way to raise money for other babies to get the shots they need to be healthy :0) Super proud of what you are doing!
Vanessa Campbell
My sister introduced me to the blog because she loves me!
I’m in the midst of PPD now. Thank you for this site.
it is an incredible thing you are doing with this blog, not just today and for this cause, but everyday for women everywhere. Cheers to you! 300 comments?! No problem!
I am now 8 years postpartum, and trying to pay it forward by volunteering and cooperating in a nearby support group. I will never forget the people (and meds) who helped me through. Since discovering this blog a month ago, I have referred it to many new moms seeking help. Thank you Katherine!
Thanks Katherine. What a role you play in so many women’s lives. Keep up the good work. Go Blogust!! It’s been an credible month.
I can’t think of anything more critical to a baby’s health — now and in the future — than happy parents and vaccines. Thanks for bringing attention to both of these critical issues.
You do an amazing job of bringing thoughtful and well-researched information to your readers (with tons of personality too!) I’m so glad to have you as a resource.
Save a Life and get vaccinated!
Thanks for all your work on behalf of the emotional wellbeing of moms (including prospective moms)!
I hope this comment helps bring another momma some peace knowing her child is protected from illness!!!
I’m here to help Shot@Life
the hardest stories to share are usually the ones that someone most needs to hear. I regularly encourage friends to hit publish on the hardest of posts to write. those are usually the ones that will bring the private emails saying what a difference they’ve made. I think this blog is amazing but I only wish more bloggers would be more open to sharing whatever their personal struggle might be. at least for me, knowing I’ve helped someone (even if not as great as saving their life), just one person, makes a post worth it.
Great site and I’m glad there are so many people like you out there trying to help and make the difference. Best wishes to you xx
Bless each of these little lives…
I knew something was right after having my second child, but I said nothing. I put on the fake smile and trudged through every day. After having my daughter this June, I hit my bottom. I asked for and received the help that I now so wish I had asked for two years ago. I am sick to think of the time I wasted watching my little guy grow, the time I wasted not being in love with my husband, the time I wasted with my newborn daughter this summer. But I am grateful for who I am now and am going to make every moment I have with my family count! Don’t wait…
This is a great cause!! Best of luck!
Incredibly powerful work. Thank you.
Save a life!!
Katherine, you have done SO much for women everywhere – literally saving lives! And yes, yes, when people come together to share their struggles, we all get stronger. The “I’ve been there’ moments and ‘I hear you’s’ combined with great and powerful ideas, resources and information are just invaluable.
Thank you for being a part of #Blogust!!!!
So grateful that the Internet provides a means for women with PPD to learn they’re not alone, that they’re still good mothers, that they are worthy of care and love.
Great cause. Thanks!
I’ve tried to comment before, but I’m not sure why, but was not able… maybe, just maybe, this time I’ll be able to join such a fantastic group of people helping to save a life!
Congratulations to you all 🙂
Seeing first hand the difficulty of post partum depression, but with help making my daughter and granddaughter the most wonderful mother and daughter I know.
While I’ve never suffered from postpartum depression. I’ve heard about this site for a while. I saw this post on twitter and am so glad I clicked the link. This is an amazing cause and I’m happy to support it.
Thanks for this awesome post Katherine. I’m inspired by my amazing daughter who died at only five days old and never got a chance to get her shot at life. <3
thank you!!
Thank you for helping to save lives <3
I’m commenting here because I am a Baby Loss Survivor, and if typing a few words here can save a baby’s life and spare another mother from a devastating loss, then I can’t imagine NOT speaking up.
I am a part of Postpartum Progress because I believe in Mothers. We are, literally, what makes the world the world and, without us, none of this would exist. And, together, we make and save lives every day…. and so, today, I offer this post as a part of a huge army of 493 others who want children to live…. Hooray for us 🙂
Keep up the good fight.
One more life saved!
Thank you for sharing this. Your website has truly been a blessing.
I have been struggling with PPD/anxiety since giving birth to my daughter. I’m still struggling 11 months later, but have been seeking various treatments. Thank-you for spreading the word for us. I hope we can all find strength to speak out just as you dd.
Commenting to save a life… And I have experienced PPD, too.
I frequently read your blog when I am trying to wind myself up to survive a new day. Friends I have referred to your posts have reported comfort from reading it, as well. Thank you!
Thank you for what you do!! I will do anything I can to help out 🙂
I love a good Vermont cheddar. And I don’t care how out-of-the-loop that makes me sound. Keep up the important work.
I’m hoping that additional comments count towards the total. I’m making a second pass through the calendar to catch a few days I missed the first time around.
Thank you for helping to save children! And thank you, too, for educating the world about postpartum depression… I don’t want to whisper about it anymore. Thank you!
Oh, thank you for having this site! I just wish that I would’ve thought of googling “PPD” even once with my 3 children! But as someone that has suffered with depression for so many years prior to motherhood I just figured I knew the basics of treatment, coping techniques, I had the pamphlets from my OB and strangely enough just never searched beyond that. Thankfully God and medicine got me through it each time! But how much this understanding peer-interaction/exchange would have meant/helped me instead of feeling humiliated as I attempted to explain my uncontrollable crying and anxiety to my bewildered husband!?! No more lamentations, I’m just grateful that I now know so I can help those I encounter with PPD by sending them straight here. 🙂 Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks as well for being part of this blogust stuff with Shot@Life, its so inspiring and wonderful! Good luck with all you’re doing and I promise to hang around and comment 🙂 as often as possible.
Glad to help by simply commenting. 🙂
I came across this blog recently. What an amazing thing you’ve created here! Thank you for helping all of these mothers and children! For the few minutes it takes to comment, knowing that helped a child is awesome!
While do not have personal experience with pp, I have a relative that does. She is a mother of four. Her struggle began shortly after the birth of her third child. She did not recognize any warning signs, but fortunately her husband did. She was able to get help quickly and treatment was successful. When her fourth child was born pp reared it’s ugly head yet again. With the support of her doctors and family she overcame the battle once again.
There is hope! Godbless
What a wonderful thing. I’m sharing with others to try and help
First time here. Karen sent me.
I commend your efforts! I too struggled with this to some extent after my second was born. Now this “baby” is 10 and his “dig-in”, “stubborn” attitude is now a great trait in sports – especially on the soccer field! Have faith – challenging babies can be wonderful when they grow up a bit.
I hope this comment helps save a life!
thank you so much, Katherine, for this chance to participate in this beautiful project, and for all you do in this wonderful site.
Commenting to make a difference!
Thank you for sharing your story! I think being able to connect with others that are going through similar things really helps. My baby was in the NICU for 6 weeks for HLHS and other moms provided me with lots of needed hope!
What a wonderful thing to do.
I found your blog through Shot@Life and I’m trying to comment on as many as I can. This is so awesome. Thank you for participating in it!
Wonderful thing that you’re doing. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing!
My comment = saving lives?! Here you go. Way to go and fantastic work you do
What a wonderful organization! I wish you great success in your endeavors to help others.
I hope I’m not too late to do this. I struggled with PPA with my first baby and am now pregnant again and starting to see signs of it creeping back in. Knowing this website is here is a great comfort to me.
And now saving lives of others around the world. Awesomeness!!
I love this blog! Spreading awareness about PPd and now saving children’s lives?? Here’s my comment. 🙂
I am still unsure as to what is going on with me, I will hopefully be booking a doctor’s appointment soon, and then we’ll have to all figured out 🙂 Or at least know. But I am very grateful for this website and for the opportunity to help!
Saving lives makes my soul smile! 🙂
Here’s to supplying vaccines to children who wouldn’t otherwise get them. What a great initiative.
The first place I found community in the darkness of ppd was here. I kept coming back in recovery to remember how far I had come and what a relief to know this community continues to be here during this bout of antenatal depression. Sometimes the only place I feel understood.
My tribe…sometimes I wish I had a literal tribe where I could walk to a nearby home of a friend and get help or give help or just socialize. I think as I’ve grown, I’ve been a member of different tribes. My family of origin (parents and siblings) is my original tribe – those who help me, whom I help, and who are there for the day-to-day things. Once I moved out and started college, my “new” tribe was more nebulous…many friends come and go more readily than family, especially with different majors, different dorms, and evolving interests. When I met my husband, he became part of my tribe and I became part of his – both in the sense of family tribes and friends who may as well be family. After I became a mother, the most important tribe (after my family) is the tribe of moms that I met in New Moms’ Group. 2.5 years after our children were born, we still get together at least once a month as a group, and more frequently as individuals. Our children are growing together and we (Moms) are growing together. We share our “battle scars” from postpartum difficulties to toddler problems to…well…pretty much anything. I don’t know what I’d do without my tribe because I’m certainly not content to be a lone, wandering nomad!
I think this is awesome!
Thank you for all you are doing. Even those of us who have not been challenged with PPD or related issues, understand how important you are and how much you are doing to help those who have and currently do. You really are saving lives!
Is this where I comment for the donation? I hope so! What a wonderful thing! Need more people that care about others in this world..
When we imagine that half of all little girls born in Colorado 150 years ago died before they reached child bearing years and then another half died after from diseases and situations that we can now treat or prevent, it’s staggering to imagine that other people don’t have the same promise. Children shouldn’t die from anything that we can prevent. Anywhere. Ever.
Just leaving a comment to help save a life.
I just heard about this site. I wish I knew of it sooner, when I was having my kids a few years ago. My youngest was born with a congenital heart defect. We did not know about her heart defect before birth. I struggled for months with my emotional health. It was very scary and exhausting. I cried a lot. We missed out on so many things we had been looking forward to. We had to be away from our 2 year old a lot. We did not get a lot of sleep. She spent a total of 9 weeks in the hospital the first 6 months and had 2 open heart surgeries. I’m so glad this site it out there for other Moms who need it.
I’m here to hopefully do a little bit of good in the world. What an amazing opportunity to help someone.
People like you and all the other bloggers taking part in this effort inspire me, as do all individuals who step up and take responsibility to make a difference when, really, you don’t have to. Thanks.
What a wonderful idea, and a great way to help others who need it!
My inspiration is that of an amazing mother who suffered a tragedy I will never truly understand. I don’t really know what her thoughts and feelings are and can only imagine. The gut wrenching pain. The constant reminders. The agony of needing to hold her dear one close but cannot. Yet…she holds it together, seemingly happy. Is able to continue living life. At the same time, keeping a happy home. Raising her eldest into a strong, confident, loving boy. Manages her marital life. All the while, doing her widely duties and working outside of the home. Plus advocating for something she believes strongly about and making sure that her little one did not leave this Earth in vain. She’s an amazing, strong, miraculous woman from whom I hope to learn. She never ceases to amaze me! To those of you who have endured such tragedy, my condolences, my sympathy, and my love for you. Now let’s save lives people! Life is precious!
What a great way to make a difference! Thank you for providing this opportunity!
The simplicity of this and yet the complexity of what evolves is amazing. Thank you!
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waw what a great way to help! thanks sir ^^