Hi Gina

Lyssa - posted on 01/24/2012

hello ladies! i have a daughter who will be 1 tomorrow, and have been battling ppd and ppa for almost a year now, and it seems things are finally on the right track. things got bad enough for me that i tried to OD on my meds and then checked myself into the psych ward, because i knew if i didn't get help i would do it again. i'm glad to see some other mothers out there who want to talk about it!

Helene - posted on 06/25/2011

To everyone. I am a postpartum doula and well acquainted with PPD. I feel for you because I have been there and felt the hopelessness, shame, and isolation. I am glad that nowadays there is more attention and treatment available. Back when I had my children (late 70s, eary 80s) PPD was virtually unheard of. If you were not ecstatic after the birth of your baby then it is a scary feeling. Back then I struggled the first time and got to the point where I could not function. The doctor suggested "shock treatment." Can you believe that?

That is why today I am passionate about postpartum care. Because studies shows that having that support reduces the incidence of PPD.

I want you to know that you are not alone. Seek a support group. There are groups meeting everywhere. Isolation only perpetuates the condition.

You won't believe how talking about this and sharing with others that have been through it or are going through it can begin to heal you.

Society wants get women to back to normal way too soon after the birth of their babies. Moms need a period of mothering too. A lot of births are traumatic due to too much intervention at the hospitals. Many women are disappointed at the birth experience and rightfully so. What they feel after the birth of a baby is akin to post traumatic stress syndrome.

To find a group near you go to Postpartum Support International (http://postpartum.net/).

Seek help. It's there. Don't give up.

Jasmyn - posted on 10/11/2010

hey guys im jasmyn n im 19 my beutifull daughter destiny is nearly 10 months old i have been suffereing with ppd for nearly 7 months now my boyfriend left me because of it i just get so out of control i cant control my emotions i feel like everythings my fault n just have stupid thoughts alll day im scared i dont no wat to do i dont really wanna b taking drugs for it my mum has depriosson and her medication dont really help wat can i do i feel so alone n helpless

Gina - posted on 08/24/2010

Hello Melissa & welcome...
You need to know that even though it feels that way you are not alone in how you feel. and more importantly you are not a failure! Having a baby is a big change in ones life and talking about how you feel helps if you have people around you who understand what you are going through. I don't have any advice on the dis-connect with breastfeeding involved because I formula fed my son since day one. I didn't feel conneted enough to breast-feed. Also know that breastfeeding is not cut out for every parent. You have to do what is healthy for you and your child. Without yourself feeling healthy it feels harder to keep a healthy baby. If you feel as though your medication isn't helping you should talk with your doctor. Make sure that your doctor knows how you feel. They are there to aide you, you might need an adjustment or change in medication *I am not a doctor but I do know that not each medication works with all people*

Melissa - posted on 08/19/2010

Hi
laura and Gina my name is Melissa and I have been struggling with ppd for a few months. It started when Emma was three months when I came home from my parents house. I was there to recoup from the c-section. As soon as I got home reality hit I felt alone and started with the anxiety attacks it hit in the afternoon. I felt alone and felt like a failure because I could not handle breastfeeding and felt like I was the cause of Emma getting thrush. I had to stop because of ppd and they put me on Lexapro. Emma is now going to be five months and I dont feel the meds always work. I thank goodness i dont have bad thoughts about harming myself or anyone else but I struggle with this everyday about the axiety and feeling like a failure. Any advice?

Gina - posted on 07/19/2010

Thank you Laura. Unfortunately not many people have joined this group quite yet, hopefully more people will stumble across it eventually because I don't believe there was another PPD group on COM... And you are right, society does disreguard speaking about PPD and the people who have it. Which is one of the worst things for those of us struggling with it, I have come to see that talking about it despite what others may think about me for the way I feel helps. If you can find someone who won't judge you based on the way you are feeling to talk to keep that person close to you. Vent to them about how you are feeling with the PPD and it really truly helps you get by. Unfortunately there are many people out there who when you talk to them just say things like "just change yourself" or "why can't you just stop or get over it" sadly it is not that easy. But I figured I can make this page for those of us who don't have someone there that won't judge so we can talk to eachother and help one another pull through this. For the children...