Postpartum Depression
How to get the support you need
In this newsletter, we provide you with notes on Postpartum: What No One Ever Talks About with the Mama Psychologists, an episode of Modern Mom Probs.
Host Tara Clark is an author, content creator, mother, and the founder of Modern Mom Probs. She is joined by registered psychologists Chelsea Slavens and Caitlin Bodie, founders of the MamaPsychologists. Caitlin and Chelsea are the authors of the new book, Not Your Mother’s Postpartum Book.
Read our notes below.
Topics Covered in this Summary
Postpartum Depression
Support through Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy and childbirth can be a joyful and exciting time, but some women may experience mental health issues as they adjust to motherhood. Mothers with postpartum depression undergo extreme feelings and thoughts such as fear, anxiety, exhaustion, and sadness. These thoughts can make their day difficult, showing little regard for themselves and their baby.
Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder may surface during or after pregnancy. Additionally, birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder or a severe but uncommon condition known as postpartum psychosis can occur after childbirth.
It is sometimes difficult for women, and their partners, to access appropriate support.
Mothers are not to blame for the emergence of this condition. There is a decrease in the quantity of hormones in the body following childbirth, which causes a change in chemicals in the brain and can lead to depressive thoughts and mood shifts.
Support through Postpartum Depression
People with postpartum depression must remember that these thoughts are not a reflection of their personality. They are simply symptoms of the brain playing a game. Paying too much attention to these thoughts causes the brain to believe them.
It is important to reach out to your medical practitioner for support. Here are some other ways to help support yourself through postpartum depression:
Exercise.
Walking with a baby in a stroller might be an easy way to get in some steps and breathe fresh air or try working out for 10 minutes a few times during the day.
Try to maintain a healthy diet.
Healthy eating alone won’t cure postpartum depression. Still, getting into the habit of eating nutritious foods can help you feel better and give your body the nutrients you need. Try planning the week’s meals on the weekend and even preparing healthy snacks ahead of time. Get help with this if you have a support system.
Create time for yourself.
You may find it helpful to schedule some dedicated “me time” once a week. Even if you can only get out of the house between nursing sessions, you can use this time to decompress. Go on a walk, take a nap, go to a movie, rest, or do some yoga and meditation.
Resist isolation.
The power of social interaction is undeniable. Try your best to get out or at least chat with other adults and moms for support. Some reassurance from another person that everything is fine can provide immediate relief from the intrusive thoughts.
Create Hobbies.
Listening to loud music or playing puzzles or other mind-related games can help affected women strengthen their resolve to resist negative thoughts.
Remember that postpartum and perinatal depression are both normal and never your fault. Speak to your medical practitioner for help.
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