There’s more to your postpartum
I typed the words” Moms Talk about Postpartum” into Google…
…and every article on the first few pages was related to depression. I tried again with different search terms
-”Struggling postpartum”
-”Help in postpartum”
-”Postpartum support”
Again, all of the articles on the first 3 pages tied to depression.
Now don’t get me wrong here, it is so important that PPD is getting more recognition, normalization and coverage. I am thankful for those who are speaking up and bringing more light and resources. Some of my best friends are clinically working through perinatal mood disorders…
but this highlights a huge gap.
Women feel like if they don’t have a medical diagnosis during their 6-week postpartum checkup, then they shouldn’t be struggling with postpartum and they don’t have the right to have a difficult time.
Have you ever had a struggle that was written off because it was “just hormones” or you were “just being dramatic”? Have you ever felt like things were overwhelming but you didn’t have the ability to ask for help? Have you ever felt like all the things you feel and experience were invalidated?
Why is it that postpartum can be reduced to a very small number of topics?
We can read all about the different aspects of pregnancy. There are all kinds of things discussed about childbirth. There are strategies for parenting methods. Yet, in direct regards to postpartum, the resources and support are still too limited. We are still led to believe that we need less help than we really do. We are often left to do things in isolation that were intended to be done in community.
I have not been clinically diagnosed with PPD or PPA, however, I have had my fair share of anxiety and rage along with my own experience of change physically, emotionally, mentally, relationally and personal development wise.
Postpartum is not just a diagnosis.
Postpartum is not just a few weeks after birth.
Postpartum IS an entire life shift and we are doing women a disservice by not recognizing this.
Will you do me a favor this week? Will you reach out to a friend who is in the postpartum period and ask her how she’s REALLY doing? Will you remind her that every extent of her emotions and change is okay? Will you send her a kind quote, funny GIF or coffee gift card and just encourage her to honor this season? If you think she’d benefit from ongoing conversation about this… will you invite her here? More dialogue about the postpartum phase is on the horizon and I want mommas to know they are NEVER alone.