What is Postpartum Depression?

It feels like…

my life is really scary I’m never going to be the same again out of control each day is a hundred hours long no one could understand this my friends and family shouldn’t have to be around me I’m a bad mom I shouldn’t have had this baby I’m at my wit’s end I get mad so easily I want to go away I’m going crazy if I tell the truth about things I am thinking or seeing, they’ll take my baby away things aren’t going to get better

The facts…

Baby Blues affects almost all of us–about 80 percent of all new moms. We cry, feel stressed out or grouchy, have mood swings, and feel like we don’t know what we are doing, as a mother. Baby Blues will usually start about three days after the baby is born and it will go away two or three weeks later.

Postpartum Depression is one of several more serious illnesses that can start any time in the first year after the baby’s birth. At least 14% percent of us (1 in 7) experience symptoms, like those at the top of the page. Some of us might feel like hurting ourselves or the baby.  More often, we’re afraid we will hurt the baby.  That’s why so many of us are afraid to ask for help, but it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

PPRC knows the difference between being afraid of hurting the baby and intent to hurt the baby.  Calling us means that you will get the help you need, without risking losing your baby.  Leave us a message and we’ll call you back, very soon.  913.677.1300 or 1.866.363.1300

The sooner we get help, the shorter time the depression will last.

Most research says that combining medication, counseling, and social support is the best way to treat Postpartum Depression.