And it’s Day One of the D-Listed Blog Hop, too! I’ve got tons of reading to do today! And tons of work. And tons of time? No. But I’ll get it done! (Seriously. If you’re not D-Listed, go sign up!)
But first, I want to give a huge welcome to Lauren, our first guest blogger! (@unxpctdblessing on twitter!). I followed Lauren, or she followed me, or something like that, when I participated in a twitter chat on PPD.
Sidenote: I fought against twitter for so long because I just didn’t understand it. And man, am I glad I’ve joined up. Twitter has brought me a wealth of PPD/PPA support, even though I feel like my struggle is becoming less of a struggle. I’m really just glad to know that there IS so much support out there for women going through this!
Laruen is the Co-Coordinator for Postpartum Support International for her state and can be found at My Postpartum Voice. Lauren also has three children and is a survivor of Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
One of the things that I asked this week’s guest bloggers to focus on is what PPD/PPA, or postpartum mood disorders in general, have looked like for them. Some of these women are survivors. Some, like me, are still surviving in the trenches. Here’s Lauren’s story:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Lauren for sharing your story here! I pray this helps more women SPEAK about their struggles! You are amazing!
(and thanks, Miranda for hosting this MUCH needed guest-blogger-palooza! Love it!)
I'm now a follower from the D-List Blog Hop. You are so open and honest in your struggle and it's really inspiring. I haven't dealt with postpartum myself but my second daughter was born three months early and your description of how you felt in the hospital when everyone was gone…wow. I think somehow the permanent state of shock I was in lasted so long that it helped me through it.
I'm glad I came across your blog through the D-List. I have my own battles with depression and postpartum and it is always good to know you aren't alone. I am also very open about my own struggles and battle with depression. Thanks for sharing!
I'm your newest follower.
http://love2cook05.blogspot.com
I am here from the D-List blog hop but wanted to comment on this one. My son is 5 months old and I am still struggling with major PPD. I am so glad to read your support and awareness of this issue. I was sad to read your story but inspired as well. Thank you for shedding light on this hard subject. I think I struggle so much because my son is perfectly fine… it's me that was scared from the birth. A lot of PPD can stem from birth defects or even the loss of a child, but I felt guilty for a long time over feeling sad when other women had it much much worse than I. I had to remember it was hormonal and I had every right to be sad.
You're awesome for sharing this–it's an awesome story. I like how you talk about quiet power coming from your story-I hope I never have to go through PPD, but depression is something I've delt with & try to prevent ever having again!
I'm here from the D-list blog party! I'm a new follower & can't wait to keep reading!