Postpartum Talk

Are you prepared for what is to come after you have your baby?

We've rounded up some great information from around EverydayFamily. Are you ready? Let's talk about everything postpartum.

Baby Blues + Postpartum Depression

As beautiful as adding a little one to your family is, sometimes what can happen to a mother postpartum is anything but. Dr. Anna Kaplan explains in “Is it More Than The Baby Blues?” that up to 80% of women experience the baby blues, and 10– 20% experience postpartum depression. The mental well-being of a mother's health should not be taken lightly.

Here are some EverydayFamily articles that address postpartum depression:

Dr. Anna Kaplan explains what you need to know about the baby blues and postpartum depression. She covers treatment options, signs and symptoms, breastfeeding, and more. Find her articles here:

• “Postpartum Depression Treatment Options“
• “Is it More Than the Baby Blues“
• “Do I Have the Baby Blues?“

If you suspect that you may be prone to postpartum depression, read “Are at Risk of Postpartum Depression?” by Jennifer Bruno. She talks about her fears of postpartum depression and what she learned by researching the risk factors of becoming affected by PPD.

Everyone should read LMSW Andy Smithson‘s “5 Things You Can Do When Your Wife/Partner has Postpartum Depression.” His article enlightens friends and family members on how to help a woman who is suffering from PPD. Also, read Liz Henry‘s “This is What Postpartum Depression Looks Like.” She shares her experience about watching her friend live with PPD and what she did to help her.

{ MORE: Helping a Loved One Cope with Postpartum Depression }

Read about Alanis Morissette's postpartum struggle, watch one mother tell about her battle with postpartum psychosis, and learn more about what you can do if PPD is suspected.  

Physical Wellness after Baby

Now that we've gone over postpartum mental health, let's get our physical well-being in order, too. We have done so much to keep ourselves healthy throughout pregnancy for the sake of our babies. Why stop now? Aside from going to your postpartum checkups, there are several things you can do to take care of your physical well-being.

After baby, you're going to be very tired—you can't avoid it, so Dr. Kaplan has compiled a list of suggestions that will help parents cope with fatigue and exhaustion. The more advice on how to get a little rest, the better, so read these articles as well:

• “5 Ways New Moms Can Get Sleep“
• “Feeling Tired After Birth? Get Relief!“

We've heard about them happening, so we kind of expect them, but hair loss, postpartum uterine contractions, and breast engorgement still can be a little alarming when we're experiencing them for the first time.

{ MORE: When Your Husband Feels Neglected After Child Birth }

Have you seen EverydayFamily's postpartum exercise section? It's filled with great information about keeping our recovering bodies safe, finding the best workouts for after-baby, and in conjunction with exercise, learning about proper postpartum nutrition.

Last but not least, do a little something for your own postpartum happiness. If you don't have a clue what to do for yourself, take a clue from Devan as you read about some of her favorite postpartum things.

{ MORE: Preggers Product Showcase }

Tell us about some of your postpartum concerns and advice.

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