While having a baby can be the most exciting and joyful time of a mother’s life, that doesn’t mean you have to feel happy all the time.
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects more women than you might think. Close to 20% of new mothers are diagnosed with PPD, and up to 80% tend to have the “baby blues.”
Yet, while PPD is fairly common, many women still struggle to admit they’re dealing with it because of guilt or embarrassment.
Sometimes, you may be worried you’re experiencing symptoms of PPD, but you’re too ashamed to even tell your partner.
Remember that your partner is just that—they’re on your team! Being able to open up to them about your maternal struggles will help you to feel better. Plus, it can be the first step on a journey toward finding help with those very struggles.
Let’s look at a few different keys for talking to your partner about how you’re feeling.
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Express Your Concerns
If you’re ready to talk to your partner about your maternal struggles, chances are you’ve had some concerns for a while. Maybe you’ve already done your research about PPD, and you’ve identified some of the symptoms at work in your own life.
Admitting to yourself that you’re struggling is often the first step toward getting help. So, tell your partner the same thing. If you simply let them know that you’re having a hard time and explain your symptoms, it will help your partner to get on the same page as you right away.
From there, you can work together toward finding a solution or treatment option.
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Offer Them Resources
It’s usually fair to assume your partner probably doesn’t know much about maternal struggles or PPD. So, offer them resources to learn more.
If there are certain websites you visited to learn about your symptoms, have them look at the sites with you. Or, give them books, magazines, or pamphlets and let them know how the information relates to how you’re feeling.
The more informed both of you are, the easier it will be to talk about the signs and risks of PPD. You’ll also learn more about what you can do to treat it.
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Ask Them to Be a Part of Your Treatment
Have you already made the decision to go to therapy for your PPD or baby blues? Ask your partner to come with you. It’s a great way for them to learn more about what postpartum depression is and how it can affect new mothers.
Sometimes, hearing these things from a medical professional can be easier for a partner rather than hearing them from you.
A therapist can also answer questions for your partner that you may not be able to answer. They can give your partner advice and tips on how to support you through this process when you’re both at home.
Most partners are eager and willing to help but aren’t sure exactly what to do. Going to therapy together can help to remedy that.
Take the First Step
There is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed if you’re dealing with symptoms of PPD. It doesn’t make you a bad mother or a bad person. Once you’ve admitted to yourself that you’re struggling with this major life change, it’s important to tell the person closest to you.
Something as simple as getting it off your chest will make you feel better, and it will give you some hope because you’ll know you won’t be alone through your treatment.
If you think you might have PPD, feel free to contact me. Even if your symptoms fall under the area of the “baby blues,” we can work on different ways of making you feel more like yourself again, so you can be the best mother possible to your new bundle of joy.
