I had postpartum depression. I beat postpartum depression. I want to help you do the same.
Postpartum depression is moderate to severe depression in a woman after she has given birth. It can happen soon after delivery or even a year later. However, it generally occurs within the first three months. There are two types of postpartum depression (PPD). The early onset type is known as baby blues. The late onset type is known as postpartum depression. Baby blues may affect as many as 80% of women and starts after delivery and usually only lasts a few weeks. The later onset PPD is the more severe form and is usually recognized several weeks after delivery.
After the birth of my son five years ago I battled postpartum depression for a long time. It’s terrible. It rocked my marriage. It rocked everything that made me, me. I was missing all the social time I had been used to when I worked, so I joined a moms group and tried to get out for walks. And that helped.
Then my daughter was born and I had a night-and-day postpartum experience. This time I had placenta encapsulation done. I had never felt so happy and full of energy and life!That is when I chose to become a placenta encapsulation specialist. There is nothing better than helping mamas have a positive postpartum experience.
What are some alternative ways to battle baby blues and postpartum depression?
- Get outside and into nature with your baby! Go for a walk! The fresh air. The sun on your face. The beauty of the outdoors. Getting outside and having a change of scenery can be so warming on the soul and getting a little exercise as well has been known to be beneficial for mental health. In fact, exercise can help reduce anxiety and improve mood through increasing brain serotonin levels.
- Surround yourself with community! Find other parents who have children the same age as yours. Joining local parenting groups or PPD support groups. Having lunch with friends to show off your new baby. These are all things that can help to fill your social “gas tank”.
- Placenta Encapsulation! What?! What is placenta encapsulation? It is when an encapsulation specialist takes the mother’s placenta, slices it, puts it into a dehydrator, grinds it into powder, and puts the placenta powder into capsules, then the new mom takes that pill. The benefits for a mama taking her placenta capsules are great and include:
- Balancing hormones (which can also help prevent postpartum depression)
- Replenish iron (which can also help prevent postpartum depression)
- Provides hormones that assist with breast milk coming in sooner and maintaining a healthy supply
- Lends a constant flow of oxytocin (the ‘love’ hormone)
- Replenish B-Vitamins
- Natural Pain Relief
PPD is known to affect as much as 16% of women, but probably more as many woman won’t seek treatment due a variety of reason, including shame and embarrassment. Postpartum depression is common, not shameful, and treatable. Don’t stay in your shadow; get out and enjoy the sun/son (or daughter).
