Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Depression
I don’t know if you’ve ever wondered how you’ll feel once you give birth. Maybe you haven’t thought about it yet or you don’t want to because you’re already overwhelmed with everything going on. I totally get it—being pregnant is hard enough. On top of the usual emotions of pregnancy, many immigrant women experience additional stress while adapting to life in a new country. Before I go into more details about postpartum depression, I want to remind you that there’s help available. No woman is “superwoman”—nobody gets through pregnancy and tough situations alone. If you ever need help, you can always reach out to Centro Tepeyac; my colleagues Lindamarys or Diosmary will be happy to assist you and guide you step by step with applying for Medicaid health insurance or anything else you may need.
As I was saying, maybe you haven’t thought about how your life will be once you’re holding your baby in your arms. You might have heard other mothers say, “When I held my baby, all my pain and worries disappeared.” On the other hand, you might’ve heard someone else say, “I felt a deep sense of sadness and detachment when I heard my baby cry, and I didn’t want to take care of or love them.” These are extremely different feelings, and it’s important to know that both are possible. Personally, I felt the second way, and I was very confused during the first two weeks. Thankfully, after some time, I started to see things differently and felt a deep bond with my little one. If you’ve experienced or fear feeling the same way, I want to reassure you that it’s normal and there’s a name for it: “Baby Blues.”
What are the “Baby Blues”?
Depending on who’s shared their experience with you, you might think that a mild form of postpartum depression—“baby blues”—is more or less common. Regardless of what you believe, studies have shown that 70% of women go through this, meaning most women experience it. This type of depression usually appears in the first few days after giving birth and can last up to two weeks. If you think you might be experiencing it, here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Crying for no reason or feeling overwhelmed with emotions
- Feeling more irritable or anxious than usual
- Struggling to sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling lonely
- Experiencing headaches
You might wonder why this happens. It’s often due to the exhaustion from pregnancy and childbirth, especially if the delivery was difficult. The lack of sleep and hormonal changes also play a role. Normally, this kind of depression fades with rest, patience, and support from loved ones. So, don’t stress if you find yourself feeling this way in the first couple of weeks. But what if those feelings don’t improve over time? That’s when we might be talking about something more serious: postpartum depression.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Before I explain what postpartum depression is, I want to clarify that the goal of this article is not for you to self-diagnose but to offer guidance if you feel you might be experiencing any symptoms.
Postpartum depression is stronger than the “baby blues” and can occur at any point during the first year after childbirth. Here are some of the most common symptoms of postpartum depression:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness that doesn’t go away after the first two weeks post-birth
- Feeling overwhelmed or excessively worried
- Difficulty caring for yourself or your baby, sometimes even avoiding taking care of your baby
- Having thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
Please don’t feel ashamed if you’re experiencing any of these things. Being a woman is tough, and you’re not to blame for feeling this way. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad mom. Postpartum depression can affect any woman, regardless of age, income, or situation. If this sounds like you, it’s really important to call your doctor immediately.
How Do I Know if I’m at Risk for Postpartum Depression?
Although postpartum depression can affect any woman, experts have identified some factors that can increase the risk:
- A history of depression or anxiety (if you’ve experienced it before)
- Relationship issues, such as fear, physical abuse, or verbal abuse
- Recent loss of a baby or grief
- Alcohol or drug use
- Financial struggles or high stress, such as the stress of immigration
You might think, “None of these apply to me,” and that could be true. These are just some common factors, and every case is unique with its own circumstances. I can’t go into more detail here, but a good psychologist can help you explore the roots of your situation.
How Can I Overcome Postpartum Depression on My Own?
I wish I could give you a magical recipe that would answer this question. I know you’re probably going through a tough time, and the last thing you want to do is go out there, handle a stroller, or take the bus to talk to someone who doesn’t understand your specific situation. But even though you might receive great advice from others, it’s crucial that a specialist oversees your case. People will tell you, “Do this” or “Try that,” and you might try some of those things and notice that some things make things worse, others make them a little better, and others have no effect at all. That’s because in the world of psychology, it’s important to consider who you are, how you are, and what your situation is. So what worked for someone else might make you feel worse.
That being said, there are things you can do while waiting to see a doctor:
- Rest when you can. Sleep when your baby sleeps if your schedule allows. If not, try to go to bed early when your baby goes to sleep.
- Ask your family or friends to help take care of your baby for a while so you can sleep or do something you enjoy to relax. Personally, I love to write, as you can see. So every now and then, I ask my husband to take care of our son so I can get away and write a few chapters. But maybe for you, what you love is dancing or hanging out with friends. Do what you love, even if it’s just for a short time. It really helps improve your mood.
- Connect with other moms. There are groups and communities of moms where you can share experiences, help each other, and realize that the struggles you’re going through might be shared by others. Being around understanding and caring people is really beneficial for you. At Centro Tepeyac, we offer free classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. We’re really proud of these classes because they also offer a chance to connect with other moms going through similar situations. If you’d like to join us, you can sign up easily by clicking here. We’d love to see you there.
- Take care of yourself. When dealing with depression, the first thing you might neglect is your personal care. It’s important to get outside for a walk, take care of your nutrition—think about delicious avocados and mangos as the best treats—and keep up with your personal hygiene. Take a bath or shower every day and get dressed. Don’t let your pajamas take over your life.
Here are two more resources that might be helpful:
- Postpartum Depression Hotline: (800) 944-4PPD
- National Women’s Health Information Center: (800) 994-9662
If you’re still feeling unsure, remember that you can always call us, and my colleagues, Diosmary and Lindamarys, will help you with compassion and professionalism. All of our services are free, so don’t worry about that. Before I go, I just want to say: stay strong. You deserve to enjoy life and the life of your little one. You’ll see, this difficult time will pass, and you’ll be able to breathe again and look at the day with hope and excitement. I promise that you’ll find yourself again, and you’ll be stronger than before. You’ll have greater wisdom and maturity, and you’ll be able to help other women who are going through similar situations. Your life is changing, and it’s going to be for the better.
