Postpartum Depression - Happy Valley,OR

Most important is to not add to your depression by being angry with yourself for being depressed. It is perfectly normal to be depressed, especially after having a baby. It does not mean you are a bad person or anything like that.

I have battled depression on and off for years. I tried some the drugs available and just did not like the way the made me feel. I have found a combination of diet, exercise, mediation and prayer to be most helpful.

Get rid of refined sugars and flours. Limit wheat - even whole wheat (Ezikiel bread is ok). Eat small portions of lean protein. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors. Make sure you eat three meals and a few healthy snacks (like nuts and fruit, etc.). Don't eat too much at dinner.

Go for a walk every day - ieally outside. Go to a yoga class. I have found yoga to be the best for alleviating depression and PMS. If you can't get to a yoga class, use a yoga video (you can probably rent some from the library). You may be able to find a Mommy and Me yoga class, though I don't know if that would be as beneficial.

Learn to meditate (or at least to breath deeply and fully). A great book for meditation is called "Minding the Body, Mending the Mind." You can also meditate on God's word and His promises to us.

Read the bible every day and talk to God about your problems and feelings. Be perfectly honest with God and keep an open mind.

Talk to a counselor or pastor. Reach out for help. Having a baby can make us feel very isolated, which adds to depression. Seek help or at least seek friends and conversation.

As for your boyfriend, make sure he understands what you are going through. Maybe you can write him a letter explaining all this. Encourage him to do a little research about post-partum depression so he has a little better understanding of what is going on.

Good luck! Remember you are not alone.
God Bless!

Hi there
The idea that the baby blues just come and go is so wrong.. mine lasted for about a year.. unfortunately, at the time, I didn't really consider that I had postpartum depression, I just thought of this is natural to feel sad and overwhelmed not only do I have a new baby but I am back to work fulltime at a VERY stressful job.....
now forward head........ what I did to pull me out of that slump.. nutrtion.... I know that sounds simple, but often depression can be caused by lack of vitamins and minerals.. for me, I found omega 3,6 9 helped.. takes a couple of days to kick in. Additionally, well exercise... even though you are probably feeling too down to do, a simple walk might be of help...also, drink LOTS of water.. water us so underated.. I mean pure water, not coffee, tea , diet soda.. pure water.. your brain/body needs it to function properly. I bet if you drank a lot more water than you currently do, that could help alot.. it def has helped me.. lastly.. I don't blame you for NOT wanting to take the meds... docs are so amp to prescribe them.. even if ALL you did was drink MORE water.. I think it could help.. I know, others will think .. too easy a solution, but not me. I know it works..and get those omega 3,6 ,9.. << fish oil... what a difference...
I wish you the best

Well to start depression often shows as anger wether we want it to or not, so think before you speak. I had three kids and went thru a major depression after the first one. There were too many life changes in a short period of time. The best advice would be to get a good counselor who can help you sort things out. There is also a class you can attend that is for grief sufferers. ONe of them is put on at a local prebyterian church. Please let me know if you want to
have more information on anything.
W. M.

So sorry that you are feeling so down. You are definitely not alone. Try to get some sunshine every day...the lack of sunshine in the winter months can affect our moods (seasonal affective disorder). Also, try to get some exercise. This is a natural mood booster. Even if you just bundle the baby up and go for a walk. If the weather is bad, head indoors to a mall. Even just getting out of the house for a while will help a bit. Might not be easy to get yourself in gear but do try. I think forcing myself to exercise may have saved my life. I didn't always want to get 3 kids ready to go to the Y, but I told myself that my goal was just to walk on the treadmill and watch tv--nothing more. Always turned out that once I got there I walked faster or at an incline and then months later I started doing the elliptical machine, and so on. Take care of yourself and good luck.

God bless you girl! I am sorry about you losing your father- I also experienced some "baby blues" you are not alone! If your dr. thinks its ok to take something to help you you should do it- and you should take some time -out for yourself- the whole act of being pregnant-having a baby- then instantly being r!esponsible for a completely helpless baby( who you L. more than anything) can be emotionally draining and traumatic- not to mention having to deal with a death in you family!Take some time for yourself, go out with your frinds, brag about your awsome baby and have a little fun!<3

I have gone through several "blue" periods since my child was born 3 yrs ago. Quitting my job was a big deal for me. EXERCISE has helped me a lot. I like to run. I haven't been constant though, but I can tell how different person I am when I'm working out, I feel happy, with energy, I get more organized and I feel so proud of myself when I make a little progress. Also, as my child grows, the activities we share together are more fun, we L. to go to parks and spend time outside, we are always cheerful after being 1 hour or so outside. Avoid TV and the computer as much as you can, it has the total opposite effect.

Hello there, firstly soo sorry about your loss, it must be very upsetting and i totaly understand. Ive suffered from the baby blues twice, i have two beautifull kids a girl 3yrs and a boy 1.5yrs.
I know is really diff to move on and enjoy life. But wot i find encouraging, is to think,look, i have a beautiful healthy baby, also i try to think that there are other people out there with the same probs. Im still suffering with deppresion in a mild form i find just getting out and about is great. Im a Jehovah's witness, and we belive in the earthly resserection of our dead loved ones and for a time where there wount be any problems eg deppression, if you like i can tell you more. But yeah just hang in there and remember its allways good to talk to some one, dont hold it in. :)

I'm so sorry for the loss of your father!
I know how much you L. and adore your son too. I'm in a similar predicament, my daughter is a week away from being 6 months and I know I am suffering from ppd, but just can't seem to get in to see my dr because of winter weather interfering every time I have an appointment. Last time we were snowed in for a week!
The most important part is to acknowledge you have it, and talk to someone. I know that has helped me a lot in that I don't feel so alone and broken.
Remember ppd is a chemical imbalance so meds often work to help that until you are able to balance out for yourself again. I know I'm nervous about bringing this up to the dr, and I've only talked to a few friends about this and my husband. His family (who live across the road) thinks that I'm doing just fine and all sunshine and roses - I put on a great act. I'm nervous about the idea of taking meds that can affect my mood, but honestly, how great is it right now? I have the first 6 months of my baby's life to remember as feeling too sad and depressed, and it's time to get that changed, right?
Our babies need us to be healthy and happy mamas who will help bring out the best in them.
For what it's worth, I have found that getting out of the house and doing things for me - even if the baby and her big sis are with me - helps a lot! On those days when the sun is shining, just letting it shine in on me through the window is wonderful when it's not all gloomy and rainy even if it is freezing.
I hope and pray we both find the answers we need so we can enjoy our babies and let them really enjoy us too!
C.