Baby blues

[percival]

... not the comic strip (well, the comic strip, too) but the real kind.



It all started when Sparrow (DS) was almost 2 weeks old. We had invited visitors, and I felt a little overwhelmed by it all. So much so, in fact, that I spent most of that visit holed up in our bedroom crying. That was my first indication that things weren't quite right. I was feeling a bit down because I couldn't keep the flat clean (hint: you're supposed to be resting for 4-6 weeks after a Caesarean birth AKA major abdominal surgery), and when I found out that my scar was still a tiny bit open, and couldn't move for more than 15-20 minutes without having to sit down again, I felt even more useless / powerless / hopeless / helpless. I had regular bouts of crying every couple of days until I hit rock bottom (so far) on the night of Saturday, April 12. I spent almost all of that night sobbing, so I went on the Net and surfed PND resources. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression test came up with "depression likely". So I went over to Moxie to see what I could do. And I started going out every day, taking vitamin B and Omega 3 supplements, and, most importantly, I ate much more and more balanced food. I also asked plan_survive for help, which was forthcoming astonishingly immediately and helped me get my perspective back.

Nearly two weeks into the regime, and I'm feeling a lot better. I've been taking my supplements and getting out and about. The scar isn't hurting as much, and I feel much more in control. Our flat is not as spotless as it used to be :) so I'm slowly getting back to normal.

I'll be keeping an eye out for relapses though. My theory is that this was partly hormonal, partly due to lack of nutrients. I scraped by when Mouse (DD) was tiny because there was only one drinking, but now there are two, and Mouse has stepped up her milk consumption to 3-4 times a day, while Sparrow enjoys free access to any nutrition he asks for. It also probably didn't help that I started answering work email again when Sparrow was 10 days old, and even though I had tried to finish as much as possible before going on leave, there were still plenty of pieces for me to pick up.



Touch wood that's the worst over and done with, but I guess that's only the case because I acted very quickly, and because I was used to hearing about baby blues / PND. I knew the stats (1 in 10) and I knew what to watch out for. That probably saved me from going further down. And that's why I'm sharing this in a public post.

Comments

[sidheag.livejournal.com]

Sorry you've been having this, and glad that, as you say, you recognised it early. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm way past the worst now, but if you fancy a coffee at lunchtime some time, let me know. After all, we'll be in the same building soon :)

[aome.livejournal.com]

Glad you were able to take care of yourself. How did DS and DD come by their online names? :)

[hilarityallen.livejournal.com]

Glad you found perspective. With any kind of depression, that's the thing that will most help you keep going. Do remember that if you start to find it difficult again, you can always talk to your GP and health visitor.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, I have a good HV and a good GP - who are worth their weight in gold. I'm going to tell my HV that I had (past tense, thankfully) a short (thank heaven!) episode so that I can get help quickly if this recurs.

[actionreplay.livejournal.com]

*hugs*. First, I'm sorry this happened to you. it sucks, no matter how short the time. Second, I'm very glad that you recognised it immediately and took steps. Please try to make sure you get enough sleep and also enough rest - as you will still be fragile and prone to dropping back into it even when feeling better.

[piperx.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you were wise enough to recognize the signs and get help when you needed it. It's very important that those around you are attentive as well.

I can remember having some pretty awful days postpartum too, especially after #2.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Yes, these bad days suck, don't they? And it's so difficult to tell whether it's worth doing something about it or whether it's normal ...

[annearchy.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your PND, but I'm glad you figured it out fairly quickly and that things are looking up.

Cute names for your DD and DS :)

[cathschaffstump.livejournal.com]

Way to be self analytical, and get after this right away.

Take care of yourself and your family.

Catherine

[erised1810.livejournal.com]

{{Hugs yo uall}} i' mglad it endedi nthis kidn of sizzle. whew. it sounds sort of scary though, and also weird. but it's good t know you knew whatto do at once. have fun all of you!

[mrsronweasley.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're feeling better, and so impressed and proud that you attacked it early on, knew what to do, and are now coming out on top. That takes a lot of strength! *MAJOR HUGS* You're amazing.

[hildigunnur.livejournal.com]

It's good you realised this early and took action. I do hope that you are right and the worst is over and done with. *hugs*

[thereyougothen.livejournal.com]

good for you for not only knowing how to take care of yourslef, but also for the public post. it's SO important to talk about it, and thank you for talking.

i hope you're enjoying your babies now, it sounds as though you are.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying them indeed. I'm even broody again although we decided DS was going to be our last :)

[acusa-dora.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that you've had to go through this, but I'm so glad that you're self-aware and on top of everything. I'm glad things are better. Take care of yourself.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

Well, what I had was really very minor compared to what other women go through!

[calanthe-b.livejournal.com]

~hugs~ Glad to hear you're feeling better now. Hope it continues.

oy

[(Anonymous)]

As I said the other day - STEP AWAY from the work email!

hope you are doing better

Katiexxx