Are you struggeling with Postpartum Depression?

January 2014

Postpartum Depression Motivator Questionnaire

Many Women Struggle with Postpartum Depression, however, many women are afraid to confront it, admit it or seek help.  This questionnaire is a way for us to show women that it is okay to liberate yourself by being honest.  We are all in this together and we will use health and fitness to combat Postpartum Depression!  We are Strong Fit Moms who have a future ahead of us!!!!

1) Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I’m Jami, a 31 year old working mother of Grace who was born on 11/30/2012.

2) What was Pregnancy Like for you?

 It was ok, no morning sickness, just some nausea and an aversion to chicken.  I felt happiest at home as I was having some issues at work that kept me from being on my happy pregnant pedestal. 

3) If your pregnancy was challenging, how did you handle it?

It wasn’t challenging, the challenging part was getting bigger and slowing down because I just couldn’t walk very fast.  I did have one trip to L&D for lack of movement and I think my doctor was more worried than I was.  I was really go with the flow with the pregnancy, especially after I started feeling kicks and movement.

4) What was your delivery like?

I had a scheduled c-section.  There are times now I feel that I should have waited longer to try to deliver naturally, but with discussions with my doctor, she felt that I would probably end up with a c-section anyways.  But it’s a surreal experience being in an operating room, awake while they operate you.  I was stiff as a board through the whole thing (I think, I was too numb to remember).  Grace started crying even before she came out, full head of hair.  I didn’t uncontrollable cry, but I did have a tear come down. 

5) When did you realize that you may be suffering from Postpartum?

About 3 months PP….I locked myself in the bathroom because I couldn’t handle the crying. 

6) Were you scared to talk about it and why?

Very, I didn’t want to be “labeled.”  I didn’t want to take more time out of my day to talk to someone, to have more doctors appointments, etc etc.  I didn’t want to be someone that needed to “take a pill” to get over this hump.  I did talk to some friends and a couple people who had PPD on a chat board and it helped a bit. 

7) What were your symptoms?   

I just didn’t feel like myself at all.  I can’t even explain it really.  Picture having jealousy, resentment, sadness, and anger feelings….but not being jealous, resenting, sad or angry towards anyone or anything.  I felt like an out of control robot.  It was hard to look at my baby and want to smile.  And it wasn’t lack of sleep, Grace was sleeping through the night at this point (had been since 3 weeks old), it was just life started really kicking my ass, and I didn’t know how to kick it back.  And my paranoia about everything was through the roof, my dog would limp and I would be scared that we would have to put her down (she’s 2, and the limping is always from sliding in the wet yard). 

8) Did you seek help and what would you say you learned? 

No…and I should have.  I should have made the time for me, because then I could have enjoyed our family more.

9) If you could admit something that would help other women connect with you that are suffering from Postpartum what would you admit? This could be something you did, thought about, struggled with, ect. 

Asking for help.  Help with anything.  Talk immediately with your significant other about getting help: fold laundry, start dinner without asking “what would you like dinner,” the smallest things help – not necessarily the physical help, but the mental help.  I didn’t want to think about what I want for dinner while I smell of sour milk, BO, and need plan our day for me to take a shower.  Talk about how you’re feeling, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else – start off with saying “This might not make sense to you…but this is exactly how I’m feeling.”  I tried and failed when I couldn’t get my words out to my husband when things were bothering me so I just dropped the conversations.

10) How long did your postpartum last? 

Probably until Grace was about 6 months old.  At least that’s when I felt a huge shift in my mood and attitude.

11) How can women tell the difference between postpartum and post baby blues? 

Baby blues only last a couple of weeks (I felt great around Christmas, 3 weeks postpartum).  I’d say a couple of weeks after that I started feeling more down.

12) What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

Not to be ashamed and talk to your doctor immediately when you feel there’s an issue.  I saw my doctor at 4w PP for my follow up (still felt “fine”) then again at 4 months PP and new something was off then, and didn’t speak up.  I think she knew too because she kept asking in different ways. 

13) Is there a way to prevent postpartum? 

I’m not 100% sure on this to be honest.  Hormones are NASTY business (as we all know, I know I’m not the only one to cry because the water wouldn’t boil fast enough for me J), and everyone’s internal make up is so different that I can’t really say if it’s preventable or not.  There are a bunch of different things out there that say that it prevents PPD (placenta encapsulation is one that I’ve read, not something I’m willing to try to be honest), but I think the best way to prevent it, or prevent it from getting worse is by talking to your significant other, friends, and especially OB if you truly suspect you having PPD.  Also getting out of your house – being holed up for so long can also make any person nutty!

14) What do you recommend women do that feel they might be suffering from post partum?

I know I started feeling better when I started getting out and going running again by myself (well, with my 4 legged coach).  I believe you need to have “you” time, whether it’s a cup of coffee down the street, book club, going to the gym, whatever it may be can help keep you in the right frame of mind.  There are definitely ways to help it without medication, but you also need to be aware of what’s going on with you as well – and don’t keep your feelings to yourself.  While motherhood isn’t a “job” per se, it’s the toughest job you will have, and it’s a 24/7 job.  Even if you can change it to be 23/7 and have an hour to yourself outside the house and away from the baby (as tough as it might seem) it can do you so much good to recharge you and your spirits.


15) Anything you would like to add?

 It is ok to admit you can’t do it all.  It’s ok to be down.  It’s ok to not be happy all the time after having your baby.  But when those sad/anxious/angry days far exceed happy days, then it’s time to talk to someone about it. 

 

*Please share your story or this questionnaire with someone who may be challenged by Postpartum Depression. By sharing your story about PPD you can help another mom struggling to overcome this nasty hormonal imbalance.  You can be the person to give another mom hope, inspiration and strength to pull through.  Join the Fit Mom Movement Like Jami has and change the world… 1 Birth at a Time!

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