Postpartum Advice for Every Mother
Leaving the hospital and going home with your child after giving birth to him/her is supposed to be the beginning of the happy bonding period between you and your child. It is also supposed to be the start of a period where you learn how to care and appreciate the person whom you carried and nurtured (and even suffered for) for nine months. However, for new young mothers with from postpartum depression, this serene imagery can transform into a nightmare. Due to that traditional belief that women are maternal by nature, it is sometimes difficult for a young woman to confess that she has a problem, a problem in which she is incapable of caring for her child. While there may be ways of understanding and treating this disorder, it can still make the woman feel isolated and stigmatized.
There are various ways of dealing with postpartum depression some of which can lead to an outright cure. They include:
Following a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle means getting adequate sleep at night, exercising on a regular basis, and eating well. While it may be true for some people with postpartum depression that their problem can be attributed to hormonal imbalance, it can also be true that little or no exercise, an improper diet, and lack of sleep can result in depression for several others. In order to offset this problem, you need to perform some mild to moderate exercises at least 3 or 4 times a week, stop eating low nutrition junk food and stick to a healthy diet, and sleep when your baby sleeps. Your mood will definitely get a boost when you’re enjoying excellent health.
Therapy
Sharing your postpartum depression experiences with other women suffering from the same condition as you have can help you cope better. Actually, postpartum depression among women is quite common (about 50% of women have it). Telling your stories, listening to the experiences of other women, and talking to them, can lift the burden inside and make you start feeling good about yourself once again. When you develop a bond with others who are undergoing the same problem as you are, it can help ease you mind a bit knowing that you are not the only carrying this burden and more importantly, there are people willing to help even if they themselves are coping with the disorder. It may take time to get over your depression and it helps a lot if there is someone that understands what you’re going through.
Family and Friends
Most women suffering from postpartum depression get a huge lift from the love showered on them by friends and family. Some of the thoughts that are racing in your mind can be a bit disturbing and sometimes you can’t get hold of your emotions and you start to breakdown. Knowing that there is a family and a network of friends who love you very much will help you get through this very trying period. Never be in denial and if you need to bawl away your blues and woes in the company of your best friend do so at their expense. Relieve some of the burden resting on your shoulders and be receptive of the sympathy coming from your loved ones.
Counseling
Counseling is a very good way to help you cope with postpartum depression. Usually a psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in this condition with many years of experience can help you scientifically understand why this problem occurs and why it affects both your mind and body. These professionals can help your learn how to properly handle your emotions and provide you with much needed instructions on how to go back to a life of normalcy. Oftentimes, talking about your hang ups with a complete stranger can be more cathartic than talking about them with your family and even with the best of friends who sometimes can give really bad advices.
Drugs
If there is no improvement to your condition after trying all the above-mentioned approaches, your doctor will probably prescribe some medications that can help you relax and calm down. Drugs are often contraindicated to breastfeeding mothers since the drugs can get into the breast milk that the baby feeds on. Unfortunately, some people do need them to help them return to normal so drugs may be a necessary evil. Before taking any medications, be sure to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. You may also look into alternative treatments such as acupuncture or herbs which are both safe to use and are natural treatments that have no side effects. So, consider all options and get the help that you think is best for you and your baby.
