Postpartum Depression

When I was born, mommy was sad. She cried every day for 3 months. Maybe it was undiagnosed postpartum depression or a combination of the fact that I was born with down syndrome. Whatever the reason was, I just stared at her. I was a helpless newborn, totally dependent on her for food, keeping me clean, changing my poopy diaper. I was dependent on her for love. One day, the crying suddenly stopped, and she learned to love me back.

The "baby blues" is common experience for many women following childbirth. However these changes are not pathological and do not only involve sadness, but a whole range of emotions. Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that involves the changes in the brain and affects your behavior and physical health. Postpartum depression symptoms may include crying all the time, difficulty bonding with your baby, less interest and pleasure in activities you used to enjoy or feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please call 911 and seek professional help.