postpartum depression

This article by AnnaMarie Houlis first appeared on Fairygodboss and has been republished with permission.

We're the first ones to tell you that we can all use some more self-care practices in our lives. 

Suicide is a complex issue, one which can be caused by numerous factors: i.e., mental health issues, physical health issues, familial issues, and financial issues. They can all put you “at risk.” The matter is a public health crisis. More than 800,000 people die by suicide each year. How do I know so much about suicide? Because I have considered suicide. Because I have contemplated suicide, and because I have attempted suicide.

I’ve been trying to overcome postpartum depression for eight months, but there is no healing at all.

The shock of Ivy’s birth and my subsequent reactions to parenting have scarred me for life. I've decided having only one baby is the right choice for me.

I am a good mom for taking care of my needs — for getting the help of therapy and medication for my postpartum anxiety, even if I needed it sooner.

Self-care can be a challenge for many of us. Add a newborn and a body recovering from childbirth, and postpartum self-care gets a whole lot tougher.

Even if you desperately need help, even if you want it, it's sometimes very hard to ask for it. So here are some easy ways to help a new parent!

There’s so much going on with a postpartum mom, so much more than meets the eye, and we need to be aware of that. Stop talking about her body!