Becoming a mom brings changes which can trigger struggles with pregnancy and postpartum mental health. There are a variety of risk factors that can contribute to depression. I experienced depression for the first time during pregnancy, and it completely took me by surprise. Here are some risk factors that may contribute to depression during pregnancy and postpartum mental health.
Depression feels like a mental cage.
It’s frustrating when my brain keeps me from doing things I know I can do. I feel like a cheetah trapped in a cage when I could be running up to 90mph if given the chance. But I am not free.
I never wanted to take medication for mental health. Asking for “help” for depression and anxiety was literally the last thing I wanted to do. But after exhausting all other options, it was my only choice.
Motherhood can be hard to sum up in just one quote. When you’re looking for a sweet motherhood quote to share with a friend who is struggling or just want to feel more connected to yourself and the important work you are doing, I hope these heartwarming motherhood quotes can help.
“Reach out for help.” This is such a simple phrase. But putting those words into action feels anything but simple when you are in the throes of depression. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years and I know that I should tell someone when I’m struggling and reach out for help. But there is a huge mental block that often prevents me from doing so. And it’s not for the reasons that you might think.
I believed God could heal my depression and prayed that He would. What I learned is our prayers aren’t always answered the way we want them to be, but God still is aware of us and will give us help and strength.
These mental health memes were created to help remove that stigma of anxiety, depression, and other mental illness. Sharing these mental health memes can make a difference. These memes highlight some of the main messages I hope the world can learn and accept.
I wouldn’t be a mother without modern medicine. I experienced perinatal depression during my first pregnancy. I felt fatigued, sad, and unable to do many normal activities. I couldn’t see a future where I could be happy. My husband convinced me to talk to my doctor, and after a lot of resistance, I finally did.
I didn’t realize the intrusive thooughts I had about my baby dying were because of prenatal anxiety. I knew that something was really wrong, but advocating for myself and learning to speak up more loudly was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Maternal mental health isn’t just about post-partum depression. Some women struggle with antepartum/prenatal depression, prenatal anxiety, and other disorders. You are not alone.
I see judgmental comments about parenting choices on social media constantly, ranging from what parents feed their kids for dinner, how and when they eat, and what parents should do differently. But remember we aren’t always seeing the whole picture. We are not snapshots. We are people. And most of us, really and truly, are doing our best.
