I'm blessed to partner with my friend Kyleigh Dunn in this 4-part this series on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and the emergency room. These articles are featured on her blog, The Sorrows of Eve where she provides resources and encouragement broadly for the church and more intimately for the moms who are struggling.
If this is you, don't hesitate to reach out to the crisis helpline, call 9-8-8 (in both Canada and the USA) .
Here's Part 4.
You’ve waited 9 long months, endured swollen feet, endless bruised ribs and a compressed bladder, now you hold a little one in your arms. You feel both the rush, and fade, of adrenaline as you process the last hours and the reality of your moment.
The labour and delivery nurses go through a lot of postpartum teaching, which includes signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. But, if we’re honest, we feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities of this beautiful new little life, so we’re more focused on learning how to care for their umbilical cord, when those tarry black poops will look…normal, and the practical tasks of bathing and diapering.
There’s such limited time in hospital it can feel very rushed, so you may not be paying attention.
Think about vulnerability factors. If you’ve had complications throughout your pregnancy or during delivery, these stressors can contribute to anxiety and low mood. If you don’t have a strong support system, this also plays into the level of pressure you feel.
Remember: It’s normal to cry and have a level of “baby blues”—teary days are normal!
So, while it’s okay to have these days, notice if you’re able to bounce back, to experience happy, joyful moments in between. If you experience a really low mood and struggle to function for days on end, go see your family doctor. The earlier you find support and resources, the sooner you can start feeling better. It’s always better to get help when there’s minimal impact, sooner rather than later. If you need help, that’s what your baby needs too....
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