I have had huge problems with depression in the past and have been doing really well up until recently. I find myself just wanting to cry periodically throughout the day and I don't know how normal it is... I am a bit worried about slipping back into depression. Anyone have any tips and tricks to avoiding actual depression or do you think I am just being overly paranoid? lol
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I think you're doing a really good thing by monitoring yourself closely. I have had some issues with escalating anxiety so I know the feeling of worrying if things are getting worse. What I would suggest is to keep a really open dialogue with your husband about how you are feeling. Not only will it help you to talk through things... But it will allow him to be really in tune with where you are at so he can identify if he thinks things are getting to a bad place.
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I have been crying off on and too since about day 3. Yesterday DH and I did a little video recording of us and baby and I started crying halfway through because I thought of the day when we look back at it. I cried today because we are doing errands in town today and im spending most of the time in the backseat changing diapers and feeding. I cried the other night because I missed DH and I's alone time. Ive never had depression before and never even had days like this when I was pregnant. I would have to think you are going through baby blues just as I am. Glad you are recognizing it and take one day at a time!
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II have absolutely no history with depression and I cried a few times every single day the first two weeks after having my baby. According to my OB, this was "normal."
Take it one day at a time, surround yourself with encouraging and positive people, and talk to someone about it. Hang in there! Hope you feel better soon.
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I've felt it too lately...but my OB said if I feel the baby blues past 2 weeks pp, to get in for an appointment. I'm sorry you have to experience any of it though. I'm here to talk if you need it!
But it's rough, I'm now 2 weeks pp. It was about 4 days ago that I cried non-stop. I cried because there was a fly on the wall. I cried because I clipped some of Elly's skin when I was trimming her nails. I cried because I can't figure breastfeeding but I'm pumping to keep my supply up. Now I've reached 2 weeks pp today so I'm hoping it will go away. I hope it will subside for you too!
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the 1st 2 weeks i cried a LOT
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How old is your baby? It's normal to feel emotional and cry a lot during the first 3 weeks or so. But you should start feeling better around the 3 week mark. I had pretty severe postpartum depression, and I knew what I was experiencing was abnormal when I started feeling worse and worse every day when my daughter was 5-6 weeks old. On top of the crying I felt extremely anxious, and I also did not feel like myself at all. It felt like my head was in a cloud. I wasn't eating at all, wasn't taking care of myself, and was resenting the baby a lot.
Definitely be open with your husband about your feelings. Also, I found that getting out of the house and talking with other moms was helpful. ...and don't be afraid to seek out help from a therapist of psychiatrist if you need to. I ended up in an intensive outpatient therapy program for my postpartum depression, and I truly feel like it saved my life.
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agreed that the first 2 weeks are all kinds of emotional and that is baby blues and is normal
I can't remember but PPD is way later in the game and much darker. They gave me a PPD screening (as they give everyone) at my 2 month PP checkup.
As for crying, I was still extra emotional (like, moved to tears by love songs on the radio because I loved my baby so much) for even beyond the first month.
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I had a rough go emotionally for the first 2 weeks postpartum. I think that with a history of depression it is good to keep mindful of how you are feeling though.
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I have a history of depression and anxiety too, and even though I'm only 2w postpartum, my OB put me on Zoloft and set up appointments with a counselor. I cry (or cried, before the meds kicked in) several times a day, had a LOT of trouble eating any kind of food at all, and felt like I wasn't properly bonding with LO (even though I really care for her, I have a hard time feeling very maternal the way others describe feeling). the crying wasn't caused by how much love I was feeling, it was caused by anxiety and feeling completely overwhelmed and scared.
If you are feeling worried or upset about how you are feeling I would suggest speaking to your doctor sooner than later. They see baby blues/PPD every day and can probably reassure you either way, and help - whatever level of help that ends up being. Good luck.
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@yoursilverlining: That sounds great that your OB is being so proactive. The feelings and symptoms that you are describing sound very much like my early signs of PPD. For me it spiraled way out of control before I got help (and was also put on Zoloft FYI). I hope the combination of therapy and drugs works very quickly for you. I know how miserable it is to feel depressed and anxious when you feel like you should be enjoying motherhood.
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Thanks everyone, sorry I am on my phone and can't respond to everyone properly! It has only been 6 days so I guess it still falls under normal. It doesn't help that I have my mom and older sister here and they really aren't very positive people... especially my mom, thankfully she is going home tomorrow night!
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@cyndistar3: Feeling supported will help, along with time. Make sure to take time for yourself, as well, even if it's just a long shower every day. My husband took our son for a 2 hour walk every morning for the first 6 weeks or so, so that I could get some guaranteed sleep. That time to myself with no interruptions (being "off the clock") made the biggest difference in my ability to get through the baby blues.
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@skibobrown: thanks
What you said: "I know how miserable it is to feel depressed and anxious when you feel like you should be enjoying motherhood."
is exactly why I contacted my doctor quickly. I didn't feel like what I was feeling was healthy, for me or LO, and I hated how I was feeling.I wish more people would talk about PPD.
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@yoursilverlining:
Sorry to hear you were having a tough time... but also glad your OB was proactive about it. 
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@JoJoGirl: thanks!!
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In the weeks following delivery I was SUPER emotional. I could cry at the drop of a hat without reason. And I knew it was ridiculous that I was crying but I could not stop it.
I've never gone through depression but I was like that pre pregnancy and post so I got worried that I was. So I googled the symptoms of PPD. Minus the crying I did not have the other symptoms. So I would say if it's only the need to cry you are good?What got me through was my husband! He'll make me laugh. Laughter is the best medicine.
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@regberadaisy: ...whereas I also googled symptoms of PPD, and I was experiencing *every* single one, except for suicidal thoughts and insomnia. That's when I knew that I needed help.
Sorry to hear you were having a tough time... but also glad your OB was proactive about it. 
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