Tag: post-partum depression

Postpartum depression is a heavy topic and one that has a stigma of shame attached to it – although, when you discuss it among a group of mothers, I think you’d find more often than not, genuine empathy and support rather than judgment.

In recent years, more and more celebrities are coming out and discussing their battles with this sometimes debilitating disease. Courtney Cox, Amanda Peet and Brooke Shields – all of which have experienced varying levels of PPD following the birth of their children have all opened up about postpartum depression and it’s paralyzing affects.

Gwyneth Paltrow sat down recently with Amanda de Cadanet for a new Lifetime series The Conversations with Amanda de Cadanet to discuss her battle with postpartum depression – a fact not unknown to the general public since releasing the news as a part of her GOOP newsletter back in 2010.

During the conversation, Gwyneth shared that she felt very disconnected from everyone following the birth of her son Moses in in 2006. ”I just didn’t know what was wrong with me. I couldn’t figure it out. It never occurred to me,” remarked Paltrow, when discussing her realization that she might be dealing with postpartum depression. It was her husband, Chris Martin, who brought it to her attention that it might, in fact, be PPD.

When when she looked up the symptoms of the condition (see below), she realized that it was in fact the condition she was dealing with. “I couldn’t connect with my son the way that I had with my daughter and I couldn’t understand why. I couldn’t connect to anyone. I felt like a zombie. I felt very detached.”

What I found most encouraging about this interview was what she had to say regarding the stigma and the judgement attached to things like postpartum depression and motherhood in general:

“We think that it makes us bad mothers or we didn’t do it right, but it’s like, we’re all in this together,” Paltrow said. “I never understand why mothers judge other mothers, like, ‘What do you mean you didn’t breastfeed? What do you mean you didn’t do this?’ It’s like, ‘Can’t we all just be on each other’s side?’ It’s so hard anyway. Can’t we all help each other get through it?”

I am so encouraged that celebrities are using their voices to open the discussion on important topics such as these. This, my friends, is what we should focus on when we hear and see friends going through the months following the birth’s of their children because it is not an easy time. We know when they are struggling – we see the signs – and when we do, we should offer them an olive branch, not a bunch of judgement.

Do not make it harder on them by making them feel bad about not choosing to breastfeed or for struggling to make it through the day with their newborn. Offer to babysit while they take a shower and have some time to themselves.

Offer them a listening ear and let them know that the parenting path they take is ok because it’s the right one for them. Make them feel normal for feeling overwhelmed at times. Perfection in parenting is not reality and we need to allow mothers the comfort of knowing, living and finding peace with that. Sometimes, it’s ok to be good enough.

Additionally, if you or a friend is experiencing what you think is PPD, work together to get help. Below are the signs and symptoms of this sometimes debilitating condition – it should not be ignored. PPD often requires therapy and medical intervention to remedy, along with emotional support from family and friends.

The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression according to the Mayo Clinic website:

Postpartum depression symptoms
Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Postpartum depression symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Intense irritability and anger
• Overwhelming fatigue
• Loss of interest in sex
• Lack of joy in life
• Feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Severe mood swing
• Difficulty bonding with the baby
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby

Untreated, postpartum depression may last for a year or more.

If you or someone you love is showing active signs of PPD, please be proactive in pursuing help so all involved can work towards getting back to a sense of happiness and normalcy sooner rather than later. This isn’t a journey that should be taken alone.

Photo: PR Photos

Quote Source: OTRC

I have been writing about my trials and tribulations with breast feeding after a breast reduction. One of the biggest trials has been dealing with post-partum depression after breast reduction surgery.

Now to be clear, post-partum depression can hit any new mom, but the issues that mothers who have had a breast reduction are specific. For me, post-partum depression set in right about the time that all the frustrations of not being able to breast feed “normally” hit home. At least for me it did the first time around with my oldest child.

I remember lying down after pumping out less than 1/2 an ounce of milk thinking that if we were in the wild, my baby would starve to death. My baby would surely die.

I thought I was a terrible mother for cutting myself so long ago only to put my baby at risk 20 years after the surgery. For a good few hours, the tears wouldn’t stop flowing and I could barely gasp enough air in my lungs to fuel yet another bout of crying. But crying I did for a long long time. I felt like a complete failure.

The drops of milk sitting in the little bottle were simply mocking me, saying, yes, you make milk and you would have made plenty if you’d only sucked it up and not had surgery. Shame on you…And, from all the stories I’ve heard about post-partum depression after breast reduction surgery, my day of falling apart doesn’t even rank.

I’m still waiting for it to get me down this time around with my second child – which, I’m certain, will happen. The only question is when.

Post-partum depression (or even the tendency to beat one’s self up) is real and nasty. Some women have it worse than others. Like engorgement, there is only one way to deal with it and for me that’s to just go through it in hopes of getting on the other side. Coupled with the complications of breast feeding after a breast reduction and I’ve got a cocktail for some serious self loathing right when I DO NOT NEED IT.

So if you are battling with post-partum depression after breast reduction surgery, just know that you’re not alone and that it will pass.

photo credit: helgasms!