does any one experience

Jane - posted on 02/16/2011

we all do, different degrees for everyone w/every pregnancy. call your OB's office and ask them for some resources.
best of luck!

Alison - posted on 02/16/2011

Have you spoken to your doctor? I suffer from seasonal depression and the winter after my 2nd was born was awful. I continued to take care of my girls' basic needs, but it was so hard to play with them and act happy. I finally turned to medication because I was too far in to pull out any other way.

Getting time to yourself, going for a massage, taking a bath, working out or going for a walk, going out with girlfriends are all things that can help you to manage the situation. But it is really best if you can see someone regularly to follow-up on how you are doing.

You should know that there are some medications that have been thoroughly tested on breastfeeding moms and babies.

Helen - posted on 02/15/2011

I had it a little bit after #1, but it was fairly easy for me to ask/get help as I suffer from depression anyway, and the GP simply increased my medication for a time.

Making sure I had enough sleep, mainly by sleeping when baby slept, also helped a lot as sleep deprivation is the worse form of torture available, and it does wierd things to your brain.

Please don't be afraid to ask for help from your Dr, family and friends, and especially your partner. Make sure you get as much sleep as you can and that you have time 'off' from the baby - even if it's only to have a bath or shower in peace!
You are not alone, not the first woman to suffer and certainly won't be the last, so please don't feel like you need to hide it. If you can meet up with other mums they will also be able to give you support, which I found invaluable.

(((hugs)))

Thepmala - posted on 02/14/2011

I definitely had it! My number one helper was my husband. I finally told him that I had depression and I didnt know why or understood it but I just felt sad. It was the normal stuff that I worried about but it just made me more sad after the baby. Like bills, dishes, cleaning the house, laundry, baby fat. I just eventually asked for help. I asked my husband to take some of the load off my shoulders. He helped clean the house and stuff like that. I asked my mom to watch the baby for a couple of hours so I can go to the gym, shopping, or just stay home to clean! It helped me. But I also asked my doctor for some meds. I eventually stopped after 6 months. I think finding a routine that includes some "me" time will help.

I hope this helped you Trisha. Good luck.

Elfrieda - posted on 02/14/2011

I still don't know if what I had was ppd or just a reaction to a never-sleeping, always-crying baby and sleep deprivation. Or both. Once I got more sleep, things got much clearer and easier. If that works for you, it'll be a relatively easy solution to a terrible problem, and it's one that other people can help with. (by taking the baby so you can sleep)

Angela - posted on 02/14/2011

I had it with my oldest. She was a really terrible baby (which is awful to say, but she was because of reflux. Once the idiot pedi listened to me and gave her medication she was a much better, happier baby) and I hated her and hated being a mother. I never got any help for myself, but I wish I had. I was lucky not to experience it the second time around. Definitely ask for help. I wish I had known that what I was feeling was "normal" but that I could get help for it.

Lynn - posted on 02/14/2011

I found the hardest thing to do was what they tell you to....talk to someone and ask for help. Tell your partner what is bothering you....feeling alone, overwhelmed, etc. And ask for help finding help getting a solution. If this means you need more help or maybe to find some counseling or even some other resolution. I didn't do this with my first and wish I did. With my second I made sure I had support in place and spoke up soon after the baby was born and it has been so much better!
You are not alone....speak up, people want to help!