Yesterday was National Blog Day in support of the Mothers Act, a Senate Bill sponsored by U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) that if passed will ensure that new moms and their families are educated about post partum depression (PPD), screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services. It will also increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression by a program of grants.
Four years ago, I had a bout of PPD/PPA (anxiety) after the birth of my daughter. It was confusing, disorienting and intense and started the first night I was in the hospital. It was totally unexpected and hit me hard. The experience lasted several months but once I received treatment things got better quickly though I've read about women who struggle for years. One big part of my recovery was just knowing that other people had gone through this same thing. A friend of a friend (thank the Lord!) talked to me over the phone about her experience which sounded very similar to mine and that was the ONLY person I knew who had a clue about what I was talking about. Now of course, I belong to a YahooGroup and have other forms of support but let me tell ya - I was pretty much alone with it for a while.
For years, I swore that I would not have a second kid was because of this sad, soul-depleting experience. I'm so relieved and grateful to see that there is more awareness growing for PPD and PPA over the last four years to help new moms, their family and friends to deal with this misunderstood, "underbelly" of birth and recovery. My theory is that new moms are wholly unprepared for the requirements of birth, delivery and recovery. I have a few recommendations. What about hospitals offering an emotional preparedness class instead of just diapering and baby proofing classes (which by the way I found pretty useless). Also, we and the baby business could help our sisters a little more by portraying (gently) of course the whole process a little more realistically. Right now, pregnancy is a time that is celebrated with storks, ducks, teddy bears, pink and blue stuff and soft things - all misleading symbols to what is a very emotional, powerful, sometimes draining experience for women. Baby merchandising pimps I mean experts (e.g., Hallmark, Pottery Barn Kids, Baby Gap) should launch new "symbols" of birth - earth momma line of cards and baby and mom accessories that have slogans like, "You both made it!" "Mom kicks ASS!" or "Women deliver the World. Let's deliver for MOM" or how about "You owe your life to Mom" Alas, it will never happen because new moms wouldn't understand (sorry gals but you're pretty clueless until you go through it) and the older generation (the gift giving majority) don't get it or have forgotten. One more note, I think maternity ward nurses should be trained in firstline PPD/PPA treatment to help exhausted moms' get the help they need. My night shift nurse was totally unhelpful to me when I told her that I was getting panicky and needed her help.
So you might be wondering - what am I doing this time around to prepare? Since I found out that I was pregnant back in March, I've assembled a support network (therapist, psychiatrist) and set up"a plan" in case my psyche goes south along with my belly. I've been praying hard (seriously) that because this time we (my husband and I) have prepared that we will not be hit so hard by it.
