The Dark Side of Being a New Mother:
Postpartum Depression and Other Unexpected Emotions,
and How to Deal With Them
by www.Sedona.com A new baby brings with it a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement, joy, elation, love. At the other end of the spectrum, though, are the unexpected emotions that often arise when new moms awaken to the reality of their newborn: stress, anxiety, fatigue, fear, loneliness and even postpartum depression. In fact, it’s common for moms to experience what experts call “the baby blues” after giving birth. This is characterized by mild depression that lasts a few days or weeks after childbirth. However, about 10 percent of new moms suffer from postpartum depression, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression can develop up to six months after giving birth, and involves more severe feelings of sadness, anxiety and restlessness that interfere with daily life. Of course, the last thing a new mom expects to feel, after waiting and preparing anxiously for nine months, is sadness, and many women feel embarrassed or ashamed of their feelings. How to Deal With the Baby Blues or Other Unexpected Emotions First off, realize that your body has just gone through massive changes that in and of themselves can wreak havoc on your mood. After childbirth, your hormone levels drop dramatically, and you experience changes in your blood volume, blood pressure, immune system and metabolism, all of which can cause mood swings and fatigue. Add to that less sleep, a completely new identity for yourself (as a mom), and, perhaps, feeling unattractive because of the “baby weight” and it’s easy to see how any new mom could experience the blues. If you’re experiencing any added stress, such as a difficult marriage, trouble breastfeeding, or taking care of other children, your mood may be even more blue. There are several things you can do to deal with these negative emotions so that you can enjoy this happy time in your life. Most importantly, learn how to let go of the draining feelings of anxiety, fear, depression or inadequacy. “Remember that whatever emotion is arising is simply just that -- a feeling. It is not you and it is not a fact. You can let it go,” says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and director of training of Sedona Training Associates. If releasing your negative emotions is difficult for you, The Sedona Method can show you how to tap into your inner ability to do this. It’s simple, quick and scientifically proven. Meanwhile, with all the attention focused on the baby, don’t forget about yourself. Eat well, sleep, exercise and talk with some other new moms who can relate to what you’re going through. “Take some time to nurture and take care of yourself even though you have all the responsibilities of the new arrival,” Dwoskin says. Finally, when you release your negative emotions with The Sedona Method, you will be free to let in all the joy surrounding your baby. If you know a new mom or mom-to-be, this is the ultimate gift that you could give them. “Last but not least, refocus on the new baby and allow your heart to open in love,” Dwoskin says. “The more you can open to the love you feel for your baby the more it will wash away all other emotions.” Source
MayoClinic.com
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