Postpartum depression. It is something that is spoken about, if at all, in hushed tones. Who could possibly be depressed after going through the miracle of birth and holding a precious baby in your arms? Well, plenty apparently. It is a reality for 500,000 women every year. 500,000. That is someone you know. Or you.
After giving birth to my beautiful baby GIRL in September 2004, I did experience what I would call a mild case of postpartum depression. I cried at everything, found myself just sitting staring into space, and felt that I couldn't talk to anyone about it. It lasted for a short period of time (several days), but it felt really scary and I felt very alone in my feelings. Here I had been so incredibly blessed with a baby girl so closely following the open adoption of our BOY born 10 months earlier. This was what I had wanted for years. Years. Through IVFs, through making peace on not being able to give birth, to the miracle of BOY coming to us and then the birth of GIRL. An instant family. I couldn't possibly be depressed could I? And, if so, what the hell was wrong with me?
That's just my small story. Let's hear yours. Or, better yet, Take Action for the MOTHERS Act today, October 24th on Blogher and save womens lives.
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