Two Non-Medical Ways To Help Guard Against Postpartum Depression
by Julia Gregory
If you're an expecting mother, or if you're hoping to become pregnant in the coming months, you've probably heard of postpartum depression. This condition affects many new mothers, leading to mood swings, depressive thoughts, anxiety, and irritability. Most doctors believe that it's brought on by a combination of changing brain chemistry after giving birth and the various societal pressures put on new moms. While there's nothing you can do that will 100% guarantee you won't develop postpartum depression, there are a few steps you can take to decrease your risk.
Seek counseling throughout your pregnancy
One common complaint among new mothers is that they don't have anyone to talk to about their fears and concerns after giving birth. Their spouse can't quite relate because he, himself, has not just given birth. They may be afraid to admit to their own mothers and friends that they are struggling. Working with a therapist helps because it gives you someone to talk to without worrying about offending that person or upsetting personal relationships. Plus, a counselor is prepared to give you educated, informed feedback to help you better deal with any emotional struggles you face after giving birth.
However, if you wait until after the birth to seek counseling, you'll have to build an entire relationship with a therapist. Your symptoms may get pretty bad by the time you find someone you feel comfortable with. A better approach is to start seeing a pregnancy counselor early on in your pregnancy. This way, you can work through negative feelings as they arise, which may help keep things from getting to the point where you're suffering from full-blown, postpartum depression.
Line up your support network
Having a therapist is important, but so is having a network of people you can call when you just need some help -- whether it be someone to run to the store and buy you extra diapers or someone to hold the baby for a few hours so you can finally get a nap. Being a mother is hard work, and trying to handle it all on your own can be incredibly exhausting, leaving you depressed and defeated.
Before you even give birth, reach out to a few friends and family members, and ask them if they're willing to be "on call" for you. They can even take turns being "on call" on certain days and nights of the week. Knowing that you have them in your corner to depend on will help you relax throughout your pregnancy and after you give birth. For more information, contact a business such as All Women's Clinic.
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About Me
The decision to move one of my parents into assisted living was one of the most difficult I have ever made. I had extreme feelings of guilt that led to me being at the facility with my parent practically around the clock. It took a few months before I realized that I could not let my own life fall apart from the guilt I was feeling. I also learned that my parent was fine without me constantly hovering around. Since that time, I have had several friends express similar feelings of guilt. I started this blog to help others in the same situation understand not only their feelings about assisted living, but those of their parents.