Ways to help Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

We’re often told that these postpartum conditions (postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, postpartum rage, etc.) are caused by hormonal imbalances, but what if there’s more to the story and more we can do to prevent these difficulties?

In my experience, postpartum anxiety and depression can also arise from the following circumstances surrounding birth:

-lack of support

-loneliness

-having to juggle multiple other children, while you’re supposed to bond with your baby and heal your body

-having a prior loss or fertility issues

-lack of proper nutrition

-not resting enough/not allowing your body to heal properly

-difficult family relationships with no support or overbearing, intrusive support

-not asking for help when you really need it (*hint: we all do!)

-birth trauma

-lack of sleep

-temperament of baby and mama being a mismatch

-here's a big one: MOTHER HUNGER

Too often we’re quickly on medication and none of these other issues are addressed. While some may find medication supportive, these other issues often need to be addressed too!

Did you know we have the worst maternity leave of any country in the developed world? Or that many other countries have a “sitting,” “resting,” or “nesting” period for mama to bond with baby and for your body and for your body to heal? This period is typically 30-40 days! Can you believe that?

Many parents are asked to return to work far too early for themselves or their babies. While this is a societal issue in our culture, there are things you can do!  

-attend a group to bond with your baby before giving birth

-plan for a postpartum resting phase. I highly recommend the book, The First Forty Days by Heng Ou

-consider hiring a postpartum doula if you have no support and your partner has to return to work immediately

-ask for help from friends

-plan to see a provider for postpartum support, especially if you experience birth trauma (therapist, coach, postpartum doula)

-hire someone to help with childcare for your other children

-meal plan/pre-freeze nutrient dense postpartum meals

-stay hydrated with bone broth, electrolytes, and water

-hire a lactation consultant

-set and maintain healthy boundaries with family members

-Read the Nurture Revolution by Greer Kirshenbaum - she talks about the significant changes in parent brains during the early years of parenting. She also has an excellent understanding of infant brain development

If you are wanting to prepare for a healthy postpartum period in order to prevent postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety or looking for support with postpartum challenges, please reach out for a 1:1 with me.