Mental Health Post partum depression?

[HeatherWesling]

I recently had a baby early october. The more time that has passed I just feel miserable. I don't want to hurt my daughter at all but I just feel so low about my life. I bumped into some serious crazy problems with the father of my child, and hear all the fun my friends are having and it makes me so low that I can't go out or shoot pool (I love to shoot pool) I feel like I am in a cage or a prison even. Has anyone else experienced this after having a baby? Is it normal to feel as low as I do?

 

[Miss Tecal]

Hi, I completely understand how you're feeling. I had a baby in August and I love my daughter to pieces but there are times when I look back at before I had her and almost grieve for the life I don't have anymore, I miss going out, staying up late, having a lie in til 11am and doing what I want when I want. Now I have this little person that dictates and controls my life.
I have given up work and feel like I am stuck - my home has become my prison in a way; because of the weather it's difficult to get out. I have joined a few local groups though which breaks my time up and enables me to interact with other adults, are there any parent/mum and baby groups where you are?

I think up to a point it's "normal" a combination of hormones and a huge lifestyle overhaul but if at any point you do feel like you want to hurt her or feel that you haven't/can't bond with her or start to experience thoughts of hurting yourself please get help. It's important to have a good support network around you - are your family nearby? It's tough - especially if you don't have any other friends that are parents.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you need someone to talk to who understands.

 

[CalicoSam]

All your feelings are valid and feeling your feelings is valid. Feelings that you think you feel/think you are going to act on, those need containment and monitoring.

Your feeling deprived? Neglected?

You should arrange some 'me time'. Knowing someone else is getting some play time shouldn't ever make you feel deprived. But you might be in a situation where your realizing your own needs. And it might be you lack any 'me time' plans at the moment. Make them. Allow trustworthy family to sit. It's OK to make plans for your baby to be well taken care of and then be in fabulous recreation mode for a while.

Take good care of yourself, your baby depends on you. You do deserve an occasional brake. You also deserve some recreation and play. Making it all work is a complicated juggling act. I'm sure you will figure it all out.

 

[crunchyplanets]

Hi heather. Its normal to feel depressed after you have a baby. It has to do with hormones and whatnot. The problem is when it goes on for a while. My daughter is 3 now, but when i first had her i was bad. I cried all the time, sobbing uncontrollably. It lasted 2 weeks. After the 2 weeks i gradually started to feel better. It's hard when you first have a child. You can get so overwhelmed taking care of a little person. Then there's the lack of sleep, sometimes not being able to have a minute to sit and eat your dinner. It's overwhelming. It's a good thing your talking about it. I would suggest talking to your OBGYN, they know all about this stuff and can definitely help.

If you ever need to vent, feel free to PM me.

I hope you feel better hun.