fear of ppd/lack of support

[leahida]

Hi all --

I am new here, almost 38 weeks pg, and am worried about getting ppd after the baby is born. He will be my first, he was a "surprise" and while we are very excited about him now, it was intense in the beginning.

While I know that ppd comes on for many and complex reasons, one of them to my understanding is lack of adequate help and support. DH will be here and he is amazing, very domestic and knows more about infant care than I do. But I have no family that can help out -- my mother passed away almost 10 years ago, I'm an only child, and the rest of my family consists of elderly grandparents who need caring for themselves. DH's family all live overseas and cannot come to help, either.

I have good friends but most of them don't have kids, and they are all these busy, high-powered people. I am not sure they will even know that I need help and/or ask, and if they don't, I will feel weird about asking but maybe I just need to get over that. We are hiring a post-partum doula but at $35/hr we can't afford her for very many hours.

I don't want the whole load to fall on DH, and am just worried about being overwhelmed and getting depressed... does anyone have any ideas? TIA!

[boston]

I don't think that you can prevent it. I think it either happens or it doesn't. Maybe you could get a therapist now, just to make sure you're doing okay with the transition into motherhood, and then if PPD shows up, you'll be equipped with professional help.

Lots of people have no help and never get PPD. I don't mean to make light of your concerns. I was afraid I was becoming depressed and anxious during my pregnancy and I never took those concerns seriously. And the PPD for me was a heightened continuance of those symptoms. It would've helped to have a head start on it.

Best of luck.
Chances are you won't get it.
Can't hurt to have someone to call if it does, though.

[newcastlemama]

Congrats on your upcoming birth-day! I like what Boston said:Have some professionals in place just in case you need someone to talk to. Also, be very honest with your dr/midwife and maybe even tell them you are worried about getting ppd, especially if you have had depression or anxiety issues in the past. Try and take good care of yourself...get out and go for a walk alone or take a long bath alone...I personally think that can help with the overwhelming feelings that can come. You could also make sure your husband knows the signs of PPD so he can get you help if the signs are there. And, like Boston said, chances are you won't get it. Blessings and best wishes, Jennfier