A lot of great reading right now related to postpartum depression, birth trauma, postpartum PTSD and more this week, so I wanted to direct you straight to it:
Help for a Traumatic Delivery and Postpartum Depression – Over on the Huffington Post, Amy Przeworski writes about her own traumatic childbirth experience and how she learned it could lead to postpartum depression. Postpartum PTSD is real and there are organizations dedicated to supporting moms who have it, such at PATTCh.
There Are Three People In My Marriage – At Role Reboot, Ariane Beeston explains that after a severe bout of postpartum psychosis and two hospitalizations, there are three people in her marriage: her, her husband, and “Prudence,” the high-maintenance, still recovering, struggling version of herself. Great story.
“I Can’t Do This” And Other New Mom Myths – Sarah Pinnix also experienced birth trauma. She writes about having panic attacks over the issue of not breastfeeding, and about going through postpartum anxiety and postpartum PTSD.
Potting Season – At Brain Child, Emily Grosvenor crafts a absolutely beautiful story about birth trauma, bonsai trees and her desperation as a new mom, “…to be everything and perfect and under control.”
Why Are America’s Postpartum Practices So Rough On New Mothers? – At the Daily Beast, Hillary Brenhouse writes about our culture around having babies and how it affects our ability to ask for help. I loved this quote, “In the States, a woman is looked after, by herself and by others, only so long as her body is a receptacle for the baby. Attention then transfers to the needs of the infant. To ask for respite is to betray not only weakness and helplessness, but selfishness.” While I would argue (and have argued) that there’s plenty of postpartum depression in countries that do have more supportive customs, I think it could only benefit mothers in the US if we did
The Reality of Post-Adoption Depression – At SheKnows, Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick writes about the causes of post-adoption depression and the fact that every mothers deserves support, no matter how she came to have the title of “mom.”
I Suffered From Postpartum Depression & Didn’t Even Know It – At Cafe Mom’s The Stir, Kristen Chase explains how she didn’t realize she’d been having PPD until her fourth baby.
An Open Letter to Women Fighting Postpartum Depression – At Everyday Feminism, Walker Karraa shares encouragement and love with women struggling with PPD.
I receive a free magazine from a regional hospital and was happy to see an article addressing mood disorders this quarter. It talks about the importance of knowing the difference between Baby Blues and PPD. The word is getting out!!!
LiveWell Quarterly Magazine
http://www.christusspohn.org/livewell-quarterly-magazine
http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/144990
I also suffered birth trauma and didn’t even know it until I was in the hospital for my PPP. The staff at the hospital and Birthing Center I received my medical care from didn’t seem to have that much compassion for what happened to me. At the Birthing Center, my midwife (who did not deliver my baby) tried to be sympathetic and compassionate but questioned my decision not to take meds during my pregnancy. The midwife who actually delivered my baby never spoke to me about what happened even though I gave her permission to do so. I got sympathy from the Director, but it seemed very robotic. The doctors at the psychiatric unit where I spent nine days were very confused about PPD/PPP….I was more of an educational tool than a patient. I know that it’s a positive that they wanted to learn more, but they lacked compassion in their search for answers. The gynecologist I was sent to for my pelvic infection after I got out of the hospital didn’t care about my issues…he just wanted to get in as many patients he could in the course of his day.
Maybe I’m just bitter at what happened. But there was one nurse at the psychiatric unit who helped me realize I was traumatized during my delivery. We had a long conversation after breakfast one morning and she really opened up my eyes. More than the doctors did. It gave me a lot of clarity and I appreciated what she did for me. I’m not blaming or pointing fingers at anybody; but the hospital took no responsibility never followed up or addressed the issue. I saw a licensed social worker/therapist and a psychologist for awhile but it was basically my own will and support from my family that pulled me out of the deep dark hole I fell into. Reading other stories and how these women coped (or are still coping) is inspirational. At the time, I felt like I was the only one it was happening to because I was made to feel that way. Or at least that’s how it felt. This site has opened my eyes to the fact that there are more out there who have suffered or are still suffering. Thank You!!!
Thanks for linking, Katherine. I feel honored to have people read my story and empowered to support women going through this.
Katherine, I just realized I never thanked you for linking to my post. It means so much to be able to share my story and hopefully let others know they’re not alone!
Oh wow! I love what you wrote, i felt exactly like you did, everything…in my case, even “best-friends” wouldn’t understand what I was going through. Definitely the hardest time of my life. And also the best.(?!) Nobody could understand that. I feel comfort to see that I’m not the only one.