my vulnerable (and long lol) postpartum story ❤️🩹
All throughout my pregnancy my doctors were advising me to start taking anti depressants / anxiety meds because of my already chronic depression and anxiety…but i wanted to take as little medication as possible while pregnant so i put my babies health above mine.
I didn’t realize doing this would eventually affect our entire family not only myself.
After giving birth for the first month or two i was on cloud 9, i was so happy and in love with my baby boy and loved being a mother so much, i didn’t even think about ppd once during that time.
When Malcolm turned around 3-4 months though my husband went back to work and started leaving on work trips & Malcolm was growing so much at this time, learning new milestones and ofc going through sleep regressions & teething…
It felt like one day i literally just fell off a cliff and hated my life so much, even more than i did before pregnancy since I felt like a horrible mother for wishing i wasn’t “burdened with the responsibility of raising a baby” mainly on my own.
Eventually the depression turned into extreme anxiety and irritation/rage. My family said it was like walking on egg shells around me trying to have a conversation without an outburst of some kind…
It eventually started rubbing off on my husband sadly because he started taking more responsibility when i mentally couldn’t handle anymore noise/touch. I was constantly overstimulated & overwhelmed. I was lost. And so was Malcolm without having me attached to him 24/7 anymore. Which caused him to be even more fussy and stressing my husband as well.
Thankfully my family really pushed for me to go back to therapy and start looking into medications since i’m no longer pregnant i agreed and it’s the best choice i’ve made in a long time.
I’m now a (mostly) happy and healthy mom working on bettering her mental health so my son can have a better mentality than i did in life. I can’t wait to see the charming, happy boy he grows up to be 😌🩵
#postpartumdepression #ppdawareness #ppd #postpartum #postpartumtips #pregnancy #momsoflemon8 #parentsoflemon8 #momcreator #momlife @Lemon8 US @Lemon8Parenting
Postpartum depression (PPD) can affect any new parent and not just mothers; it’s essential to check in on dads too. Early signs of PPD include feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and irritability, which can overwhelm not just the individual but impact family dynamics as well. Support from family, therapy, and medication can be life-changing steps toward recovery. Conversations around mental health during and after pregnancy are crucial for breaking stigma and fostering understanding among parents. Joining support groups or online communities can provide additional resources and shared experiences. It’s also vital to emphasize self-care practices like mindfulness, regular exercise, and establishing a supportive network to help navigate the postpartum period. Parenting is a shared journey, and prioritizing mental health is essential for nurturing both the parent and the child’s wellbeing.
