Right from Day 1 (PPMD Story 1)

"I literally cried for weeks and it seemed like I couldn't remember how to sleep. I finally went on medication in the middle of Sept and started feeling better in December. Once January rolled around, each week, seemed progress bit by bit. "

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Note: These stories have been submitted by women who have experienced PPMD and want to use their experience to help others. Any names have been changed for privacy reasons.

 

Right from Day 1 (PPMD Story 1)

I gave birth to a beautiful baby on July 21st, 2006. However, right from day 1, I felt spaced out and was crying a lot. I felt it was because my privacy was invaded since my mother-in-law had decided to come visit with us for 5 months, just one month prior to my giving birth. In hind sight, it was probably not the right time for her to visit because with her visit came about a lot of change in our lives - my husband's and mine. There was the need to be constantly in attention and since there was a guest in our 2 bedroom apt, it felt as if I had to constantly "entertain" my mother-in-law.

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, with all the change that happened around the time of the birth - being on maternity leave away from work (away from work for the 1st time for such a great length of time), mother-in-law visiting, my going into labour three weeks earlier than the planned due date, and the stress at work, may have contributed in their own little ways to my PPD aggravation. I literally cried for weeks and it seemed like I couldn't remember how to sleep. I finally went on medication in the middle of Sept and started feeling better in December. Once January rolled around, each week, seemed progress bit by bit.

When my son was first born, I couldn't figure out what attachment was, and when everyone told me to talk to the baby, I couldn't figure out how to. The only thing I would ask him is if he needed a diaper change. Other than that, I didn't know how or what to talk to him. However, I am glad to say that I am almost feeling like myself again. I now know what's like to love a stranger so unconditionally. I love my son and he's truly the "apple of my eye"!

That's not to say that the "down moments" have been completely eliminated. When I have down moments, I look at the magnet I picked up from an Early Years Center: "Life with a new baby is not what you expect and that 1 in 5 women go through this" - and then I don't feel so alone. I stare at the magnet on the fridge and it gives me a renewed sense of hope!

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