What am I experiencing?
Feelings you may have…
My life is really scary
I’m never going to be the same againI’m out of controlEach day is a hundred hours longNo one could understand thisMy friends and family shouldn’t have to be around meI’m a bad momI shouldn’t have had this babyI’m at my wit’s endI get mad so easilyI want to go awayI’m going crazyIf I tell the truth about the things I am thinking or seeing, they’ll take my baby awayThings aren’t going to get better
The facts…
Pregnancy Depression can occur anytime during pregnancy.
The Baby Blues affect almost all of us–about 80 percent of all new moms. We cry, feel stressed out or grouchy, have mood swings, and feel like we don’t know what we are doing as a mother. The Baby Blues will usually start about three days after the baby is born and will go away two or three weeks later.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of several more serious illnesses that can start any time in the first year after the baby’s birth. At least 14% percent of us (1 in 7) experience symptoms, like those at the top of the page. Some of us might feel like hurting ourselves or the baby. More often, we’re afraid we will hurt the baby. That’s why so many of us are afraid to ask for help, but it’s important to get help as soon as possible. PPRC knows the difference between being afraid of hurting the baby and intent to hurt the baby. Calling us means that you will get the help you need, without risking losing your baby.
If you are experiencing one of these disorders, or aren’t sure, call us anytime day or night and leave us a message. We’ll call you back within 24 hours. 913.677.1300 or 1.866.363.1300, in Kansas and Missouri
Most research says that combining medication, counseling, and social support is the best way to treat anxiety and pregnancy and postpartum depression. But regardless of the which options you and your healthcare provider decide on, the sooner you get help, the sooner you will start to feel better.