"Post Partum" - reprinted from my public blog

[not_hothead_yet]

I want to talk a little about post-partum depression. If you are the partner of woman who is amenable to the possibility of child-bearing some time in the future, then I beg you to read this. Please

Comments

[krisssa]

Thank you for sharing this. <3 I agree with you- there needs to be education for partners as well. My heart breaks reading about everything you went through and also reading about the mother who hung herself. Thinking of someone in that condition, not realizing it can get better, that's the worst thought of all.

I have a friend who went through PPD and it was very scary. She kept having thoughts telling her to do certain things to her baby (put her in the freezer or the microwave, put her on the porch in the middle of winter, etc.) and the thoughts would haunt her. She has OCD as well so she had cleaning and checking compulsions which is what your stories triggered in my memories as well.

I had a bit of 'baby blues' for about 2 weeks after Ali was born, but nothing to the same extreme as PPD. Mine was so hard to take by itself that I can't imagine what you and others like you went through. Thanks for sharing your story and your thoughts.

[quoththeme]

Thank you.

[glass_lion]

You are so right. Aiming PPD education only at women is ineffective AND exacerbates the burden on the very women susceptible to PPD.

[raidingparty]

Will keep an eye out, thanks.

[not_hothead_yet]

as a man, its possible you can do more good: if you know a mixed gender couple about to have a child, please talk to the male about this subject and encourage them to be aware of the possibilities. I truly believe if men were more aware of this potential danger, there'd be a LOT less trauma and sadness. There's nothing wrong with deciding your partner needs help. You could be saving their life. Even if you push them against their protests, it is worth it.

Thank you.