i think i have postnatal depression ?
Friday, August 27th, 2010 at
11:05 am
im 17 and i gave birth to my daughter last week… but now i don’t feel i can cope with her and to be honest it doesn’t feel like i love her very much 
i feel too ashamed to seek professional help can anyone tell me if this is normal?
Tagged with: Depression • Postnatal • think
Filed under: Postnatal Depression
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It’s common, but not normal, if you know what I mean. Get professional help. Trust me, they’ll have heard it before, and they can help you.
Do you have some support people? Talk with them, or find a postpartum depression support group. Or, join a mommy’s group… something.
Hang in there, and be well. But, GET HELP.
Yes, it’s normal but that doesn’t mean you should suffer alone. You should definitely not be ashamed to seek help as MANY mothers suffer with postpartum depression. Asking for help is a sign of strength and a sign that you want to do what’s best for yourself and your baby. Keep in mind that the first few weeks are the hardest and almost 90% of women experience what is called the “baby blues” which is associated with the huge fluctuations in hormones after giving birth. It is relatively short lived, just a few weeks, and then you’ll start feeling more like yourself. If you pass a few weeks and are still feeling the way you are now you should definitely seek help. In the mean time, ask for assistance from friends or family to help you get a little bit of time for yourself every day. Take a shower while someone else watches the baby, go for a walk around the block while someone you trust stays with her for 15 minutes, do something for yourself. Hang in there, you’re not alone and you’re perfectly normal.
yes i was 17 when i had my son i know exactly how you fell i wasn’t that embarrassed about it though i went to the doctor when i felt that way its common for young mothers i think you should get some help because that is how a lot of new mommies do things they regret like hurt their baby its a hormone imbalance from giving birth and stress which is not your fault at all sometimes it helps when u fell like that too ask someone for help let them know what you are going through i think u will find people are very helpful
During the first two weeks after having a baby many women experience what we call “baby blues”. Your emotions can go up and down, you might be cry more easily, get frustrated more easily etc. This is mostly a result of changing hormones and lack of sleep. As far as loving her many parents do not instantly fall in love with their baby; it does take time.
If this is “baby blues” you are experiencing things that will help:
-Get as much sleep as you can. Accept help from friends and family so you can take a break and take a nap. If your baby is sleep you should be sleeping also – resist the urge to take the quiet time to get stuff done. Turn off your phone or put a note on your door so you will not be awoken during naps.
-Eat at least 3-4 times per day (maybe more if you are nursing). Try to have healthy snack food readily available so you won’t be tempted to skip eating because it takes to long to make something. Ideas would be fresh fruits (ie. grapes, apples oranges, bananas). Baby carrots are easy to grab.
-Drink plenty of fluids!
-Get out of the house. If you have been stuck in the house since you got home, get out! Take a short walk up the block and back or just go sit outside in your yard while it is still nice.
Chances are you will be feeling much better 1 week from now, but if not definitely talk to your doctor! Don’t be embarrassed postnatal depression doesn’t develop because you are a bad person or a bad mother it just happens to many women due to hormonal imbalances. What many women don’t know is that postnatal depression actually is fairly common and is usually very easily treated if you talk to your doctor. If it is postnatal depression then the sooner you treat it the easier it will be to treat and the sooner you will be feeling better.
Finally, if you have any thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, start hearing voices or just don’t feel like things are right, get help now … don’t wait if it gets to this point!
Good luck – I hope you get to feeling better soon!
You are dealing with so much more than just having a baby! You are dealing with having a baby at a young age, questioning yourself, questioning your decision, etc.
I know because I had my first at 18. I felt like I was always doing something wrong. I questioned my every move. I did not have anyone to talk to. I had 3 children back to back- 1-1/2yr apart…I had postnatal depression non-stop and I did not even know it! I- thankfully- never got so bad to consider hurting them or myself but there were days I only brushed my teeth and did not even eat! They were always taken care of and were healthy but I really put myself through the ringer- mentally and emotionally.
Then you add an immature husband who had not done any growing up- and I was a wreck!
I knew something was wrong. I knew I did not feel right. I knew I needed to snap out of it- but I just did not know how! I felt ashamed to go to friends or parents. I did not want to go to a doctor because I knew my husband would question why I was going.
I became paranoid and everything caused me fear. I wouldn’t let my kids even play outside because “what if?”
I do not remember the exact thing that finally helped me realize I needed to change. I just know that it was more of a “I was ready”.
It is good that you are here opening up. Better here then no where.
Find a chat group online that you can relate with. Share your feelings and thoughts. It will help you realize many things- some are that you are not alone and that it will get better.
Our hormones, age, financial situation, romantic situation, etc. all affect what happens to us mentally and emotionally. Try your very best to stay away from too many negative chat rooms- negativity will feed your current state.
If people are sharing but there is also a lot of positive comments and people posting improvement- that is good. If it is mainly negative- change chat group!
Read self help books that will feed your soul. Surround yourself with positiveness- no negative TV shows, no hating music, etc. You have to place yourself in the right state of mind.
Once you are feeling a little stronger- you can either continue to do it yourself or go see a doctor. I personally did it myself with my first 3 kids…but with my 5th I needed outside help. Just a few counseling sessions to put my mind in the right track- then I continued myself again.
Good luck.