PostPartum Depression

Women hope and pray for a safe pregnancy. Discovering their pregnancy is affected by postpartum depression is devastating. However, postpartum depression can be treated through counseling. We at Hopeful Beginnings provide free counseling from qualified counselors for women experiencing postpartum depression. With time and treatment, recovery is possible

Have you been feeling empty, emotionless, or sad all or most of the time for longer than 2 weeks? During or after your pregnancy? Do you feel like you don’t love or care for your baby? If you are sighing your head and feeling so.. you might have postpartum depression. Whether this is your first or second pregnancy, each experience is unique. Unusual feelings and thoughts can be scary and confusing or you might even feel embarrassed telling someone how you feel. The first step is being able to identify what postpartum depression is and believe the signs.

“Postpartum” means the time after childbirth. Most women get the “baby blues,” or feel sad or empty, within a few days of giving birth. If your baby blues don’t go away or you feel hopeless or empty longer than 2 weeks, you may have postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that involved the brain and affects your behavior and physical health. It can be alarming not feeling connected to your baby. Help yourself and your baby by first learning the symptoms.

Common Symptoms
• feeling restless or moody
• feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
• crying a lot
• having thoughts of hurting the baby
• having thoughts of hurting yourself
• not having an interest in the baby, not feeling connected to the baby, or feeling as if your baby is someone else’s baby
• having no energy or motivation
• eating too little or too much
• having trouble focusing or making decisions
• having memory problems
• feeling worthless, guilty, or like a bad mother
• losing interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• withdrawing from friends and family
• having headaches, aches, and pains, or stomach problems that don’t go away

It is our duty to serve mothers throughout this process because of the troubling effects postpartum depression can have on your child and their childhood.
A moms’ postpartum depression can cause delays in language development, problems with mother-child bonding, behavior problems, more crying or agitation, problems dealing with stress, and adjusting to school and other social situations.

Our PPD Services
Those feelings of shame, embarrassment, confusion, guilt, or loneliness are just symptoms. They don’t define you as a mother or woman. You deserve to be happy and healthy. Professionals are here to help keep your future positive and bright. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or know someone that is, seek a social worker here who can provide essential services and therapy.
Therapy

During therapy, you talk to a social worker to learn strategies to change how depression makes you think, feel, and act. You can call our agency to book a consultation with a social worker via phone or in-person to meet your needs. Your privacy is important and attending therapy appointments will remain 100% confidential and at NO COST.
Other common types of treatment for postpartum depression are provided by healthcare professionals like Medicine. There are different types of medicines for postpartum depression. All of them must be prescribed by your doctor or nurse.
You may be having mixed feelings about going to therapy. Or maybe you don’t have reliable transportation to our office or to a doctor. Remember, we are just one phone call or email away to answer any of your questions or to help make modifications.

You can reach us at 847-870-8181

Postpartum Counseling