PPD/Baby Blues...help

[DancinMomma]

I am writing for my SIL. She had her DD on June 25th. About a week ago, my SIL started having long periods (hours) of feeling very sad, crying, etc. She is also experiencing alot of anxiety, almost panic attack type feelings. She decided on Sat. she felt more comfortable at her parents, so she is staying there and we are all trying to be with her as it gets much worse if she is alone. We are helping with the baby and encouraging her to sleep b/t nursing sessions. She is bf her DD and that is going well. Her doctor started her on Zoloft last Thursday.
Anyway, she just feels aweful, is on the verge of tears or crying most of the time.
Us family members had some baby blues, but not to this extreme, so we arent able to relate/comfort her very well.
I think she would love to hear from anyone who has experienced the same thing, maybe some encouragement, etc.
If anyone wants to reply or PM me, please do so and I will send/print for my SIL. She doesnt have access to internet at my MIL's house, but I will make sure she gets it.

Thank You So Much.

[lissa52483]

i would just like to say hang in there. it will get better since she was strong enough to ask for help. i made the mistake of not getting help with ds1 and was miserable for a long time. i got help this time before it got to0 bad. i'm also on zoloft. my midwife said it could take as long as a month for it to get into your system and start working. it took about 3 weeks for me to notice a difference. so don't let her give up if she starts think the meds won't help.

[hotlama]

I think it's amazing that your sil has so much support.

I have struggled with PMDD ever since starting my first period after DD was born. I remember the first time I started my period all I could do was cry. I called my dh and asked him to come home and get the baby and take her to work with him and I got in the shower and cried for over and hour. I didn't just cry, I was literally sitting in the shower bawling my eyes out. For the rest of day I just layed in bed and cried/slept. I only got up to pump. The next day I started my period for the first time since having DD. My hormones were just so out of control that I couldn't emotionally handle it.

It has gotten a ton better now that I know whats wrong and I haven't had a break down since that day. Other than my dh, I didn't have a lot of emotional support so I created a blog on blogspot that no one knows about where I go to vent. It sounds stupid to post it on-line and not in a journal but it helps to type out my emotions and if I am the only person with the password, I will never have to worry about my family reading it and thinking that what I typed was what I thought every day.

[Joyto5]

First, I think it's great that she has the support around her that she needs! That, in and of itself is great!

I wasn't diagnosed with PPD until my 3rd baby and 2nd miscarriage. I had it with my first child and didn't have any support system around me at all. It was my very silent struggle. Once you know other women struggle with it it's much easier to go through knowing your not loosing your mind.

The fact that she has such a great support system is a great step, and that she's on the meds (Which I agree with HL) will take time and just know it will get better. It's Okay to cry and vent, it really is! It's an emotional realise that feels so much better once it's out!

Your body and hormones are like a rubber band, it was a slow stretch, stretching them to their max. After birth, one end of the rubber band was released and it whips back causing the hormonal imbalance. It took 9 months for your hormones and body to get to the point it was. It will take 9+ months for it to return. (They say that about baby weight but PPD works for this as well)

Tell her to hang in there. Your not alone in this struggle

[DancinMomma]

Thank You very much for sharing ladies. Sorry you have suffered as well, but I think it will comfort her to know she is not alone.