After Alyssa's birth I noticed almost immediately that I was struggling the postpartum depression. I had it after Wilamina but was able to cope with the help of medication. This time around due to changes beyond my control with insurance, medication is not an option. I am having to take matters into my own hands. At first I was mad about it, thinking how am I going to do this without taking my medicine? Just the anxiety of not being able to get it was making me more depressed. Then, after being angry, I accepted it, and started looking into more natural ways of coping.
I joined a support group for depression and anxiety but they weren't much fun. Ha! My doctor has told me from the beginning that I need to exercise. When I came home from the hospital after delivering Alyssa I was 170lbs. I dropped another 10-12lbs possibly from breast feeding but I stopped breast feeding after 6weeks and my weight has held steady at 158 lbs. I am 5'4". I was already taking a mutli-vitamin but decided to add a supplement of vitamin B. It's hard to exercise when you don't even feel like getting out of bed. My only motivation for getting out of bed, apart from the girls was needing to use the bathroom and food, ...and the fact that husband would be upset if he came home everyday and the house was a wreck. So knowing that I had no other choice I began to workout. I feel like this is my missing "peace". The piece I need for the puzzle of putting myself together and the peace that I need to be ok with myself, forgive myself and be patient with myself. I finally feel like things are starting to fall into place.
Postpartum depression is something people do not understand unless they have experienced it. I went through after Leah and it was horrible. Lots of prayer is what got me through it and then I started doing Zumba. I'm so glad you're blogging, I feel like we are in the same place ein a lot of ways, so seeing your posts helps me :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nevada! I am glad you brought up prayer, That is another area that could use some improvement. I am working on that daily as well.
DeleteKeep it up Shannon! I am very happy to see that you are doing something to better yourself and others. There will always be simple minded, pessimistic people that will have something negative to say but don't let them stop you. I enjoy your post, so keep them coming ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Cecia! I admit I was nervous about posting such personal things for fear of what people would think. I finally got over that fear, because although I still care about what everyone has to say, I don't let it intimidate me like I once did.
DeleteGood for you! I have not had PPD, but I do struggle with plain old depression. And I KNOW that exercising helps, but it's so hard for me to get going with it.
ReplyDeleteLara, I say that I struggle with PPD but to be completely honest I believe I was depressed years before children. I had married young, divorced, filed for bankruptcy and moved to a city where I only knew 2 people. At that time I guess I didn't recognize what it was, I just thought it was life. I was big into fitness at that time and worked 2 jobs so I guess that was my way of coping back then. I just kept myself busy even though I didn't feel complete inside. After having babies, it forced me to slow down and I think it all just caught up with me. My goal is to get back in to fitness like I was in my early 20's and this time around help others through exercise. It is tough but once you get going, it becomes easier. Don't ever give up!
ReplyDeleteStay strong!! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteThanks Starla!
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