Several weeks ago, when we had Delurker Day here at Postpartum Progress, y’all were commenting away. Now … not so much. So, I thought I’d ask: What types of stories do you want to see here on PP? What are you interested in? What do you want to see more (or less) of? Do you have any questions that you’d like answered? Let me know and I’ll tackle them head on!! I want to make sure I keep things informative and lively here. Please give me your input!
What Do You Want To Know About Postpartum Depression?
30 Comments
Tell Us What You ThinkCancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Thanks for this site, it's so helpful and motivating! I'm pregnant with my third, a surprise baby for sure. I had severe PPD after my second daughter and developed bipolar II. I still have to take my medications during this pregnancy and plan to continue them through breastfeeding. I've talked to my doctors about this and have their support, but there's not a lot out there except stigma about taking meds with babies. I'd love to hear, too, about how women and families have dealt with subsequent pregnancies after PPD and the possibilities of a relapse and how they got through it. Thanks!
I have been wanting to ask this for awhile, but I know that you are busy helping women who are still struggling, so I haven't. But since you asked, I would like to know if others feel that once they have recovered it is taboo to talk about it anymore? I feel like people are rolling their eyes and saying, "enough already" if I ever mention it. How do you deal with the stigma and critical spirits once you have recovered? I don't want to shut myself up in a "cave" because I know that I won't be able to help anyone that way, but maybe my skin is just not tough enough.
I have been getting asked a lot if we are going to have more children, and I honestly am not sure because I am scared to death to go through PPD again, so I would like to hear more about this topic too.
Thanks for all you do!
I love this blog! but I also rarely comment. I think you do great, but I especially love hearing narratives of peoples' ppd experiences, especially timelines, and how they are when they come out on the other side. maybe having a 'guest' blogger every now and then, with such stories? those really helped and still help me get through this time.
thanks!!! keep it up-it's a great resource–one that I have not seen duplicated.
As a mental health professional I am interested to hear about what I can do to be helpful. I keep hearing that new moms are reluctant to reach out for help so whatever tips can be shared on things the professionals can do is very much appreciated.
Thank you!! Meghan
I'd like to know more about parenting post-PPD. They say that PPD only occurs in the first year, but what if it doesn't have an expiration date? My daughter is 4 1/2 and I'm a single parent with mental illness. At what point does the PPD end and the usual depression resume?
I'd also like to know whether there are links between PPD and divorce. I left my ex when our daughter was a baby, in part because I felt I could do a better job on my own, than with a partner who was useless (and emotionally abusive) while I was suffering PPD.
I agree with the above ladies. In fact I just left the blog Beyond Postpartum where Amber has a thought provoking post on what happens AFTER the ppd. My son is two and while I'm off medication and think I'm medically "well", I still struggle with motherhood. Learning how other mothers have coped and moved on (and what they do/don't still struggle with) would be a great heop.
I agree, with all of the above! I also just read Amber's post on Beyond Postpartum–the accompanying article was so helpful.
Anyway, I struggle daily with trying to figure out what's my PPD/anxiety, what isn't, and how to move on (while still keeping this illness out in the light of day and helping others).
You have hoist issue. I have a high regard for your blog. I will remain keep on.
Katherine what you forget is while we sometimes slack off on commenting, we definitely keep reading! 🙂
What I really like is either your recollections of your PPD, and the guest posts of other mother's experiences, and also the links to other mother's posts about their experiences. I also would like to know something about what to do to attempt to minimise having the same experience again with the next child.
Can PPD also cause body changes like loss of period other than the noticeable psychological change? I always wondered that but never asked my doctor.
By the way, I work as a virtual assistant of The Healthy Moms ( http://www.thehealthymoms.net ), the site is fairly new and I thought I would drop by some mom and health related sites to spread the word.
Katherine,
Even though I don't comment much, I still read your blog daily!! You rock!
I would love to hear more survival stories. Like how did Mom's know when they were better? How did PPD impact their lives in the "aftermath"? Did PPD change them?
Also, I would love to hear more about the Dad's and Significant others. Like how did PPD impact their relationships with their husbands/significant others? Where can they go for help/support?
I would love to hear more about treatment options/programs/alternative therapies for PMD without medication.
I, personally, would really love more information on the impact of peer-to-peer support groups (those that are lay led, not professionally led) and the place they have in helping moms dealing with a PMD.
Finally, strategies on dealing with other people who won't acknowledge that you have made great strides toward recovery, or have actually recovered, from a PMD, and they still want to treat you as if you're "crazy". The most obvious thing would be to cut them out of your life, but what if you can't?
Thanks Megan. I will add your idea to my list of future stories. And may you have a blessed 3rd pregnancy and postpartum period!
I hope everyone reading this notes that I am NEVER too busy to get questions and ideas from readers of Postpartum Progress. It may take a few days to respond, but please keep 'em coming! And thanks for the story idea Stephanie!
Thanks kmp! I'm really glad you find PP a great resource. I am taking note of your suggestion and adding it to the plan!
Will do Meghan!
Great ideas. I am definitely going to look into these and write about them.
Thanks for your suggestion Julie! I know what you mean about continuing to struggle with motherhood. I can definitely write more about this.
Phew! I'm glad somebody's reading! Thanks for your suggestions. I can see I've got a lot of work to do in the next few weeks. That's great motivation!
Thanks Kimberly! Great ideas. I really appreciate your input!
All great points you make. I know I have some good resources to share for all of these, so I promise to get cracking!
Hi Katherine,
I love reading your blog and I too would like to know about life after PPD if one is still struggling with depression, as this is the case for me. More personal stories would be great, oh yeah, and I would love to guest post if you are looking? 😉
Thanks,
Heidi
Hey everyone! Thanks for all of your comments. What great ideas. I know Katherine will do a terrific job of addressing all of these awesome suggestions. Since a few of you asked about "life after PPD" (and Julie mentioned this post in her comment above), I thought I would link to it: http://atlantappdmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-chil… I also wrote about it here: http://atlantappdmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/life-af… I plan to continue to offer posts weekly on this very topic…so please stop by and comment if you'd like to share your story, guest blog or ask a question about my experience now that I am 2.5 years into the postpartum period. Blessings to you all- Survivor Mamas!
Go ahead and send me one to stonecallis@msn.com! 600-800 words. I welcome submissions.
Sidebar Note: I don't always use every submission, because they have to meet the standards of Postpartum Progress (good writing, good story telling, decent grammar and spelling!) and the mission of Postpartum Progress (supporting women with PMADs). Thus I cannot promise that every submission will be posted.
Hey Amber, those links didn't work, I would like to read them!
So sorry…I do this ALL the time! They don't work because I used a period at the end.
Here they are:
http://atlantappdmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-chil…
http://atlantappdmom.blogspot.com/2010/03/life-af…
thanks! I really rely on this blog- have been fighting ppA/ppd for 7 months, with a hospitalization 6 months ago. I returned to work 2 months ago, but last couple of days have been extremely hard and I feel close to a relapse. I'm getting a hold of my dr but i really rely on this blog, too.
I absolutely love your blog! Last Sunday was Mother's Day and I'm sure that whilst many of us bought our mothers gifts, we didn't really think about why we were doing so. I found a great post on the Reclaim Happiness blog which really made me think about this. .
What do you guys think?
Shoot! I should have wished everyone Happy Mother's Day. Are you in Canada? UK?
In the US, Mother's Day is in May. Sorry I neglected Mother's Day wishes for my readers outside of America. I love you all just as much!!
You are going to be okay. Just keep talking to your doctor. And remember that the recovery process is usually more like a bumpy road than a flat superhighway. We all have good and bad days.