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I totally understand! I was so weepy the week after Eli was born... pretty much I can cry on cue. And now, I am still on my maternity leave so I am taking care of him full time at home... it is so draining. I don't see anyone... don't talk to anyone... don't do anything but diaper, soothe him to sleep, feed, repeat I am so obsessed about his schedule and his naps (b/c he doesn't nap well). All I can talk about to my husband is Eli... of course.. what else do I have to say? I really miss working... I'm a high school teacher and I can't wait to go back to work after thanksgiving... although I know I will be very stressed out about having my MIL taking care of Eli while I'm gone

I had an appt with a doctor this past week because I've been feeling depressed, and when he heard about the miscarriage he said that what I've been going through is essentially another form of post-partum, so I've been feeling the blues, but a little different. I lost my job, got pregnant (planned), lost the baby, got an unrelated infection, landed in the hospital, got out but wasn't allowed to work, went back to work, and essentially was laid off, all from June to the middle of September. If you need to talk, let me know.

Looking back at that first year after my son was born, I can recognize that I should have talked to someone about how I was feeling. Instead, I relied heavily (perhaps a bit TOO heavily) on my friends. I think at the time I was going through it, I was not only self conscious about the stigma, but I also didn't think I was that bad and somehow thought that by going to see a Dr, I would be spitting in the face of those who actually HAD a problem. I also remember feeling a distinct frustration at the thought of having to explain my whole life to a stranger just to 'catch them up'. Lastly, there was a fear that someone would try to take my kid away from me because I admitted that it wasnt all perfect. Again, in hindsight, I can see how all of that was silly.

Now that I am about to have baby two any day now, I have made it a point to make sure that if I find I'm feeling that way again after her birth, to contact a therapist right away. I am fortunate to have a wonderful recommendation from a friend of mine here in the Boston area should I have to contact someone. And I am hoping that being more aware of the situation will make me more apt to do something about it.

I do suggest connecting with a mommy group. One thing that I learned with the first baby,over and over again, was that I wasn't the only one struggling. That first time I went to a mommy group was so nerve wracking but after that I never looked back.

Best of luck to you and know that PPD isn't something that is easily defined by one set of feelings or emotions or symptoms.

I haven't had my baby yet, but I did used to work as a depression researcher. Even if you don't think you qualify for full-blown PPD, you can still benefit from counselling and learning skills (like those taught Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). And seriously- getting out there and stopping yourself from feeling isolated is a great start!

I'm a little nervous about PPD because I know how easily hormones affect me. I went through some amazingly bad mental moments coming off BC so I am afraid that cutting off the baby hormones will be a little challenging for me. I guess I'm a little paranoid so I've really researched and put a small treatment plan in place just in case.

So far I've decided to encapsulate my placenta and see if that helps at all. Supposedly it does a lot of good for PPD and I'm up to try something new. I also have a therapist I've worked with in the past on standby for sessions. I also have a very supportive family and husband who are well versed in the signs of PPD and will help me to help myself get any help I need postpartum.