Very Emotional ~ Is This Normal?!?!

C.,
I wanted to let you know that I experienced something very similar and it made me feel like I was nuts. I did not seem to have much of the postpartum like I have heard others to have it. Which I already take and took effexor for anxiety. They even allowed me to stay on a low dose while pregnant (after the first trimester) to help me deal with everything I had going on at home (we have my husband's 2 children living with us - he got custody 2 years ago) and learning to take care of the baby - everything was getting to me but on a normal scale. Then at about 6 months or so after she was born, I started feeling really stressed over things that would not normally bother me and then was told by the peditrician that my baby was starting to suffer from separation-stranger anxiety. Which she honestly gets that from me. It also took that long for me to start getting normal periods after being pregnant too. Once I realized that correlation it made more sense to me about what was going on. But yes, I thought I was nuts for feeling like that so long after birth.
P.

Good morning!!!!!!! I just wanted to say hello!! I have a 14 month old and I went through the same thing. Sometimes I feel like I still go through it. I talked to my doctor and they put me on a VERY LOW dose of Zoloft. This seems to help me out a lot with the feelings. I did not understand where they were coming from. My son never cried and is such a joy to be around. He has been the easiest baby and the joy of my life!!!! The only thing I can say it that it will get better, st least you are reconizing the signs, I ignored them and brushed them to the side for a while. Please let me know how it goes. I'll be thinking about you!!!!

I was lucky enough to not have any troubles at all with "the blues", but I have heard it plenty of times that they can happen at any time in the first year after childbirth. It may be worth seeing your doctor about it. Good Luck:)

Hi C.,

Chastetree Berry (AKA Vitex) is a very effective herbal remedy for female hormonal problems. It works by balancing the endocrine system (the glands). It may take a month or two to fully take effect but the results can be phenominal. I used to work in the natural products field for an herbal company and women would regularly thank me for results it gave them.

It's worth a try. Vitex can't hurt.

Blessings,

A.

Hello C.,

Depression can happen anytime, especially after having a baby. You just may be recognizing it now.

My daughter-in-law experienced with both babies. She didn't want to go on any medication. So my son made a pack to get up with the kids more at night to make sure she got a few extra hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation after a while can take a toll on you and one or two nights sleep doesn't make up for it.

Also Linds said she needed time just for herself, even if she could have 2-3 hours in the bathroom, just to make her feel beautiful again. So I go down once a week, to give her a break and let her do her thing. Many churches offer a Mom day's out. If yours don't, here is a suggestion, get all the Mom's together and take turns giving each Mom her day, even if it is 3-4 hours.

Linds Mom suggested watching the movie, "The Secret", and according to Linds, this made all the difference in the world. Most libraries have this movie, you can check out for FREE.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's, Power of Positive Thinking, helped me. I got the CD's and listened to them, then started saying affirmations, God is with Me, God is helping Me......

Hope that helps C., May God Bless You in Everyway!

What you are experiencing is completely normal even 6 months post-partum. It seems like you have had a lot of ups and downs in your life and sometimes you don't realize the affect they are having until later. I am sure they are groups in the area you live in such as MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) or other play groups. Your child isn't old enough for preschool or play groups but they will be a help for you. You could also benefit from talking with a Christian counselor. They can help you work through whatever is going on and give you a new perspective from a Christian angle. God Bless!

sometimes you get overwhelmed and dont realize it. i do it sometimes but if you feel more depressed thenmaybe u should see a doctor.

I think what you are experiencing is normal, motherhood has its ups and downs (as you well know). As you said, you are "getting over" the newness of your baby, and probably feeling completely exhausted from the past six months. Add to that cold February days, memories of another baby, and feelings of loneliness. I think it would benefit you to find a mother's group, google online, or look on Craig's list, or your local paper. Most libraries and community centers have story and playtimes. Try to get out and take walks, if the weather isn't too cold. Also, try to get some time to yourself, and maybe find a therapist to talk to about your feelings. Good luck with this, and remember, you are not alone. Almost every mother has gone through this at some time or other.

C.,

I just moved from the Green Run area. I wish I were still there because I know what loneliness is like. I live in NC now. C., the only thing I can tell you is that if you had a persistent headache or backache, you would seek the advice of a physician, not other mothers. And I would give you the same advice now. There is no shame in getting help. I am not in the post-partum era anymore, but I see a therapist that has done wonders for my life. Only a doctor can tell you whether or not you have a problem that needs to be addressed professionally. God bless you and good luck.

B.

I experienced that also after having both of my children. After 3 days my each of my kids were born I cried sooo much. My entire world fell apart. The worst part was over the next day, but never completly went away. I delt with it both times. My 1st child, it caused my relationship with her father to end, (which was probely over before that). That caused me serious depression. I don't know how I got thru that. I cried and prayed alot. But a few years later after my husband now and I had our son, I broke down emotionally again, and caused problems in our marriage. Both times it lasted 1 1/2 to 2 years. My husband had to work thru some personal issues his self. I guess it took that long for life to get back to semi-normal. It might've just been my situation I had post partum so severe. It also seemed like when I lost most of the baby weight it helped me some also. I didn't go to any doctor for this, I just prayed alot. I had to learn how to deal with it myself, and it made me stronger today. It helps to have another mom friend to connect with. My daughter is now 11 and my son is 5.

My situation is a little different but I do understand how you are feeling. My daughter is going to be 14 on Thursday. Her dad and I went thru 4 years of fertility treatment. When I finally found out I was pregnant I was thrilled and scared at the same time. When she was born it was the best day of my life. Then at 3 weeks old she got sick and ended up in the hospital for 3 weeks. She had brain damage due to a cold sore. I was in a depression but I am pretty sure it was a combination of hormones and the fact that my precious baby was very sick. I ended up going for 2 years in this funk not really noticing myself feeling down, but just stressed because I pretty much became her nurse instead of her mom. Unfortunatly my husband and I split when my daughter was 2 but we share custody and are friends now.

When my son came a long 13 years later I was terrified that if anything were to happen I would not be able to handle it. He is a very healthy 14 mth old now. I did notice that once we settled down and I started getting used to him being part of the family that I was almost sad because he was now doing things that my daughter never did. I was on top of the world for him but sad for my daughter, if this makes any sense. I don't know how to explain it but I just got into a funk that took a few weeks to get out of. I was already seeing a councelor and take celexa but still felt this way. I think in a way it is like mourning the loss we had in the past and almost feeling guilty for the pleasure that our other child is bringing us.

I had a wonderful midwife with my son and she is actually the one that helped me snap out of it. I went for my yearly exam that was right about the same time I was feeling this way. I told her how I was feeling and she told me that they were individuals and I needed to respect them as such and not feel guilty over what one can do and the other can't. I told her it was easier said than done but over time it really did help me.

I don't know if this helps but do want you to understand that you are not alone in this.

A few questions to look at. Are you nursing? If so has the amount of time nursing changed? That can make a huge difference.

Is there a therapist you can see to talk about this? Even with your hubby has a degree he is too close to the situation to really give a good evaluation.

Have you talked to your ob/gyn about this? I know our bodies do a lot of changing after having a baby and maybe there is something more they can tell you.

Do you have a close friend that you can talk to about this and if you start feeling down, can they give you an objective view?

Good Luck and just stay aware of your feelings so if you do start feeling worse you can take action. You are in my prayers

Most people don't know this, but women are at risk for postpartum depression starting at any point during the first year. Also, have you recently stopped breastfeeding or started birth control? Both of those will cause your hormones to fluctuate. I just got past my postpartum (my daughter is 7 wks) and this will seem like a strange suggestion, but it works wonders-- go to the tanning bed. 5 min at the lowest setting every other day or so. It boosts the seratonin in your brain (the chemical that makes you feel good, that is the same thing that zoloft does). A few hours after you leave the tanning salon you will feel great. But if that doesn't help, or you dont want to try that, you need to talk to your dr. And if you ever feel so far gone you think you might hurt or neglect the baby, get immediate help--a friend, neighbor, or family member, if any of those aren't an option, call 911.

It is very normal for post par. depr. to rear it's ugly head well after the baby's birth. a friend was diagnosed with post par. when her son was 8 mo. Breast feededing releases happy hormones so you may not notice the depression at first.

Hi there. I can relate to your feelings. One question I have for you - are you breastfeeding? If so, you may have been suppressing ovulation for the last few months and now are begining to get your cycle back thus having the hormonal fluctuations that go along with it. If that is the case, it may even itself out. I had a similar occurance after my third child was born - I wouldn't say I was depressed - but definitely anxious and much shorter tempered than I normally am. I have been on Zoloft since that time and it has helped a lot. Consider going to your physician and explaining what is going on with you. They will recommend a course of action for you. Best wishes to finding a solution.

Yes. This happend with my first born. It came when she was 6months, and became more independant, then post partum depression set in, and it was really bad, ecspecially if you were breast feeding and the child abruptly stops it makes it even harder. go to a phciatrist and get help. Most importantly please keep your husband informed on how your feeling, he needs to know, and if he's a great husband he will be there for you.

The same thing happened to me recently. My daughter is almost six months. I, too, was fine immediately following her birth, with only a little bit of the normal "baby blues" that lasted a couple of weeks. Then, a few weeks ago.... WHAM. I was a wreck. Granted, we'd just moved so that my fiance could start a new job, and we're temporarily staying with my parents while we go through the home-buying process, so I chalk some of it up to a lot of changes in a little bit of time. But it felt deeper than that to me. I did some research and read several different things about post-partum depression, and everything I found out indicated that it can hit anytime during the first year. So it is absolutely possible that things are catching up with you, and it's just now striking. Get some help. Talk to your OB/GYN or Midwife or doctor. Try counseling. Something. Find a support group.
Interestingly enough, just as I was hitting rock bottom and really feeling out of control, I woke up one morning with the period from hell. My first period in over a year. My periods were never much of an issue for me, but this one was a doozy! Heavy, painful, exhausting, and really long. But, ya know, as it let up and came to an end, my mood swings evened out, and I've felt much, much better.
I think our hormones really take a toll on us throughout the entire process of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and so on, and we try to pretend like that's not the case for some reason. But hormones are powerful things! And I really believe, PhD or MD or whatever, no man will ever fully comprehend how powerful these hormones are and how powerless we can feel under their spell... Even if your husband has the best of intentions (as mine does,) you need a woman who's been through this. I recommend finding a woman caregiver to help you navigate through this time and lend you some womanly support!
Good luck!

I wasn't diagnosed with PPD until my son was 6 months old. I'd suggest at least talking with your OB-GYN, maybe getting a referral to a counselor. It can't hurt to rule out all possibilities. They're not necessarily going to put you on drugs, if that's a concern.

this probably isn't too helpful but... it's not abnormal and it sucks but you'll get through it. go see a doctor. also if you are seriously considering the tanning bed (an Idea posted by another person) which I wouldn't, you should look into a "bluelight" or some other artificial sunlight program other than tanning. tanning is bad for your skin and you can get the same chemicals that sunlight gives you without resorting to tanning.

After the birth of my first child both she and I had some medical problems which resolved about 6 months after her birth. At about the time I was finally getting over the medical problems,I was finding myself crying over little things and miserable all the time. I hid it at work, but outside of work, I was crumbling. I realized I had PPD and went to my OB and got some medication and advice on how to handle the depression. My daughter was the only thing at the time that made me feel better.

My husband is a minister as well, and sometimes in the Christian faith people may not look favorably on using antidepressants, but in my experience it helped me feel better quicker and made me better able to cope with the little issues and be a better mother and wife.

PPD doesn't always occur right away. I am sure part of it is hormonal, your body is still recovering from a huge event (having a baby). You also have the experience of your precious daughter that no doubt is still with you. So you have many reasons to be experiencing some depression. It is definately not abnormal.

postpartum blues can hit up to a year after birth. go see your dr he can help. good luck kay