[Mommy of Rowen]

Ok This might be a lil long but i want to tell you the whole story so you understand what happened so please bare with me. Please keep in mind while reading this for 12 days i did not see my new born daughter at all due to i was in the ICU.

Almost 6 months ago i gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. All threw my pregnancy i had gallbladder attacks several times a day. They were so painful but i refused the surgery while i was pregnant because i couldn't risk loosing my child. A week after i had her i went into a severe attack which latest 3 days before i went to the hospital. They told me i had pancreatitis and my liver and kidneys were both shutting down. They also said i couldnt have my gallbladder removed right then because i had pancreatitis. I was in so much pain they had to put me on a pain pump and wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything for a total or 12 days while i was in the hospital. 5 days after i arrived i was in good enough health for them to have my gallbladder removed. They said it was sickest they have ever seen. While i was in surgery they cut my bile duct spilling bile all in my body. It was slowly killing me. The next day I was back into emergency surgery to have a stent put in. That stent didnt work it became blocked.2 days later they had to take me back into surgery for another stent which thankfully worked. While all this was going on My fiance broke up with called off our wedding and kicked me out of house. I had a mental breakdown in hosptial and was diagnosed as postpartum depression. I feel now real connection with my daughter i mean i love her to death i just don't want to deal with her. Which is horrible and i feel like the worst mother on earth. Since then i have found the most amazing guy and we tried our hardest not to become pregnant but when i switching birth control from pill to iud i became pregnant.

I would like to know what other moms did to coop with postpartum depression? Raising kids so close together? and ANY HELP YOU CAN POSSIBLY GIVE ME. Please and Thank you all very much for taking time to read and answer this.
I do not believe in abortion so please do not suggest it.
i've been to many doctors and im on Prozac .. I want some real life exsperiance on how other mothers dealt with PPD

[Soon to be mommy!Due 12/1]

I don't know i haven't had my son yet,you should go talk to a doctor who knows about ppd.

[angedelapitie]

Well, first of all I just want to say how sorry I am and how bad I feel for you. You just had a baby and then almost died from serious health issues and your finace just up and leaves you. That is just horrible.

With postpartum depression, I just think as soon as you have any issues, you need to call your doctor and address them. There really isn't anythign to do to keep from getting it. Just try to put so much stress on yourself. I had it too. I wanted to BF really bad and I tried for 2 weeks and my milk never came in. I never had any pain or leaking or anything. But, I was so obessessed with doing the good mother thing that I thought I just had to. It stressed me out and made me feel like a bad mother that I couldn't. That is what prompted my depression. As soon and I just stepped back and said it's not going to kill her if I don't BF I was ok again. With all that was going on with you it's no wonder you got stressed out and depressed.
As for raising 2 children so close together. I'm going to be in your same shoes, but I don't know the anwer to that part yet. I'm only 3 months pregnant and my daughter is 13 months. I do know a girl here and work that got pregnant when her first was 6 months though and I talked to her about it. She said bed time is really hecktic. The first 3 months are really bad, the next 3 months it's still bad but not horrible, and then after that it gets a log better. We'll see I guess. I think you need to have a serious discussion with this new guy. Tell him what it was like for you last time and that you really are going to need a lot of help frm him after his baby gets here. You can do it, it will just take lots of patience. Best of luck!

[Barb]

wow, you've been through Alto!! I found out i was pregnant on my 18th bday, even though we used protection and i was on the pill, when my son was 8 months old we found out we were pregnant again. i felt the same way, i was scared, lost, and other then my husband was alone. he works all the time and i never had any help!! well long story short it is now 4 years later, and i am a wonderful mother to two beautiful children, it's hard, but you'll get through it. what doesn't kill you makes you stronger lol. hang in there things will get better!

[Saavy Simple Steven]

Hello:
Congratulations on the babies....... Post Pardum is nothing to take lightly... I found an article that had some fairly simple tips for getting over the serious shock to your hormones that having a baby does to a mom. I know I couldn't do it.... you women are amazing!!!

<article>
Postpartum depression is a medical condition, not a sign of weakness. Be honest with yourself and those who care about you. Tell them about your struggle. You, your doctor, and your friends and family can team up to treat your symptoms.

•Schedule outings and visits with friends and family, and ask them to call you regularly. Isolation can make depression worse, especially when it's combined with the stress of caring for a newborn.
•Eat a balanced diet. If you have little appetite, eat small snacks throughout the day. Nutritional supplement shakes are also useful for keeping up your energy.
•Get regular daily exercise, such as outdoor stroller walks. Exercise helps improve mood.
•Get as much sunlight as possible—keep your shades and curtains open, and get outside as much as you can.
•Ask for help with food preparation and other daily tasks. Family and friends are often happy to help a mother with newborn demands.
•Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Avoid using alcohol or other substances to feel better (self-medicating). Talk to your doctor if you're having symptoms that need treatment.
•Don't overdo it, and get as much rest and sleep as possible. Fatigue can increase depression.
•Join a support group of new mothers. No one can better understand and support the challenges of caring for a new baby than other postpartum women. For more information on support groups, talk to your doctor or see the Web site of Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net.

Being a mom is never easy when they are little especially but it will be so worth it to see them grow into beautiful adults that can then tell their mom how much they appreciate all of her work & love.

Good luck to you,
Steven

[Mum To 8 month old #2 Due]

my ppd started 4 months after i had my baby ive also got major helath anxiety and ocd with it, its the most horrible thing ive been through. the best thing ive found helps me is to get out the house as much as i can and think of all the positive things in my life and remind myself of them all the time. it been nearly 5 months and im feeling a lot better since doing this. im expecting again in april so will have two babies 13 months apart im guessing its going to be hard work but fun!! Hope you feel better soon

[mistergenius]

Were not having much luck drumming up business for our groups postpartum doula. There arent many PP doulas in our area, so were starting mostly from ground zero.

Have tried several community workshops, and we mention her services to all of our birth doula clients. Im going to try having her come into my class to introduce herself, I think.

Other ideas? Where have you found success?