Depression during and after pregnancy

I came across this site recently, womenshealth.gov, a project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.

It contained an interesting fact sheet on Depression During and After Pregnancy, which you can read here.

Did you know that you may experience the following feelings with postpartum depression?

• Tired after delivery
• Tired from a lack of sleep or broken sleep
• Overwhelmed with a new baby
• Doubts about your ability to be a good mother
• Stress from changes in work and home routines
• An unrealistic need to be a perfect mom
• Loss of who you were before having the baby
• Less attractive
• A lack of free time

It is sad when many times, these emotions are not given sufficient credibility by both the mother experiencing them and the people around her, leaving her to feel alone, misunderstood and inadequate.

Love yourself.
Love your partner.
Love your child.
Awareness helps.

Read the Fact Sheet here.