Do I Have Postpartum Depression?

Postpartum depression is a topic that many people fear for the simple fact that the word "depression" comes after it. After being pregnant with my second child, I experienced postpartum depression. Its something that I never thought I would have experienced and something that you could never be ready for. Here's what I know about this monster.

I first noticed that I had postpartum depression days after giving birth. I'd had a pretty traumatic birth experience. I had pushed for many hours, endured a tremendous amount of pain, all to then be rushed into the operating room to have a C-Section.  With the C-Section, I had lost lots of blood and had to be given a blood transfusion. I could hardly get out of bed or even make it to the bathroom let alone, take care of my newborn baby. That in itself, had made me a prime candidate for postpartum depression.

The onsite of it came suddenly. One of the doctors who had helped to deliver my baby, showed up at my bedside one morning. She asked, "Lakisha, how are you feeling?" Next thing I know, I had burst out into inconsolable tears. Wasn't I supposed to be happy? I had just given birth to a precious baby boy. Wasn't the worst of it supposed to be over? Or so I thought.

Truth is, according to a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 8 women, report symptoms of depression after giving birth.

Having a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions. But, postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness and the good news is that there is help out there for you if you think you may have it.

Causes:

While there is no single cause of postpartum depression, both physical and emotional changes can play a role. After childbirth, a dramatic drop in hormones (estrogen and progesterone) in your body may contribute. Also, when you're sleep deprived and overwhelmed, you may have trouble handling even minor problems.

You may be anxious about your ability to care for your newborn. You may feel less attractive, struggle with your sense of identity or feel like you've lost control over your life. Any of these issues can contribute to postpartum depression.

Some of the symptoms include:

• Excessive crying

• Irritability

• Sadness

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Mood Swings

• Anxiety

• Appetite Problems

• When to see a doctor

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may be reluctant or embarrassed to admit it. But, it's important not to wait. Schedule an appointment with you doctor as soon as possible to get help. Having a baby can put a lot of stress on new moms but remember that you are not alone.

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If you have suicidal thoughts:

If at any point you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, immediately seek help from your partner or loved ones in taking care of your baby and call 911 or your local emergency assistance number to get help.

*Also consider these options:

Seek help from your primary care provider or other health care professional

Call a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273- TALK (1-800-273-8255) or, use their webchat on suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Reach out to a close friend or loved one

Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community