Introduction 1. Why Don't I Feel Happy 2. Is this Depression? Anxiety? 3. Talking to My Doctor 4. What Help is Right for Me? 5. Building a Circle of Support 6. How Can My Partner Help? 7. A Healthy Road Ahead 8. Journey Resources

My son has started Kindergarten and my daughter is 9 months old now. It wasn’t easy but I have done very well with treatment. I am continuing to attend the Pacific Post Partum Support Society support group, get regular exercise, eat well and take my antidepressant medications. I have also joined a parenting group to meet other mothers like me with young children.

While I am feeling better, I still worry that my depression may come back some day. Or if my partner and I decide to have another child, I’m terrified I will go through another postpartum depression. Because I have had one episode, I know there is a greater chance of becoming depressed again. Other women in my support group tell me they worry about the same thing.

In one of our support group meetings, we talked about how to reduce the chance of the depression returning, called a relapse. Our group facilitator said the skills we have developed to manage our depression can also be used to prevent it. We were reminded of the NESTS tips. Also, now that we know the ‘red flags’ for depression, we can ask for help early and not let ourselves get too run down. She said that temporary ‘lapses’ in mood are very common. They usually pass with time and with a focused effort on self-care. She said to think of a lapse as a ‘reminder call’. She suggested making a personal wellness plan listing our ‘red flags’, what to watch for, and what to do if we notice any of these signs. She reminded us that if the signs do not go away after a short while or if they become very upsetting to us, we should see our doctor. She gave me a handout for preventing relapse.

My doctor told me that even though my risk is higher because I’d experienced postpartum depression once, it didn’t mean for certain I’d develop depression in my next pregnancy. But he did say that it will be important that I work with him and others on my health care team to monitor my mood during future pregnancies. We will also need to talk about whether I need to continue with antidepressants. He said that many types of antidepressants are safe to take during pregnancy.

I was once asked to provide advice to women to help them avoid some of my pain.
Here are the things I suggested:

• Think about the kind of support you need early and who can give it to you. Build your circle!

• Take care of yourself. If you don’t, you won’t be able to take care of your baby or your family.

• If you’re feeling down or anxious, talk to
somebody right away.

• Do not delay seeking help!

 

 

 

Postpartum depression has a beginning and an end. Other women have described depression during this time like being in a fog. Getting better can be like a rollercoaster ride in and out of the fog. But after a while, once women get the support they need, the good days start to outweigh the bad, the fog begins to lift and the ride is less wild. Like it has with me, the sun breaks through and there is hope again.