Postpartum Depression: My Story & Climb Out of the Darkness, RI

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When I think back to Avery’s first year, I think of all the incredible moments. First words, first steps, first friends, first adventures. However, I also think of the struggle. The first year was extremely difficult for me.  I was a new mom, struggling with all the typical feelings of “Am I doing this right” and “Am I screwing things up”?  as well as all the intense pressure of the “Mommy Wars” but, on top of those typical pressures, I had the demon of Postpartum Depression and anxiety clawing at me.

Avery’s birth is what I consider to be a trauma. While nothing happened that was life threatening to either myself or Avery, It was not an experience I’d wish on any other mother. 2 years later, even thinking about it makes me cry, and I still lose sleep over it every now and then (and it is a major factor in our decision to have another child or not) When they handed Avery to me after she was born, my first thought was not “Oh my god, she’s beautiful, my daughter, I’m in love” It was “thank you god, that is over!” I was in such a horrible state that I wasn’t able to enjoy the birth of my daughter, I missed out on that magical moment, and I think that is where the postpartum depression really started.

The first 3 weeks were absolutely brutal. I didn’t sleep, I barely ate, I spent every day huddled on the couch, holding Avery and crying. I relived the complete trauma that was Avery’s birth, over and over again. When I did fall asleep, I’d be thrust back awake, in a cold sweat, either from a nightmare about my labor, or one about Avery not breathing in her bassinet. I sat awake at night watching her breathe, and if I thought she took a strange breath, or took too long between breaths, I’d touch her, and in turn, wake her, making sure she was still alive. I couldn’t tolerate anyone else holding her.  Dave would come home from work, and try to give me a break by taking her, but it would just make my anxiety skyrocket. It felt like every cell in my body was short circuiting. Every synapse firing (or misfiring) at once. I’d feel shaky, weak, sick to my stomach.

When Dave was at work, I sat there imagining every accident that could hurt or kill him at the shop. I sat, waiting to get a phone call from his boss that he was at the hospital, or worse. When Dave would take our dog, Daisy, out for a walk,  I’d immediately start scanning the local news stations on TV and Facebook because I knew he’d be hit by a car, or attack and killed. I’d cry until he came home, and then I’d cry more.

At no point did I want to harm myself, or Avery, or anyone, but I wanted to run away. I wanted to bundle Avery up and run. I don’t know where I thought I’d go, but I felt like I couldn’t stay in our house.   I was in a 24 hour a day state of panic. Fight or flight.

It didn’t help that I struggled with breastfeeding, compounded by everyone and their mother telling me that I “COULD do it if I just _____” I felt like a failure every moment of every day. When you’re already depressed, and anxious, being told that you just aren’t trying hard enough is like a hot blade through your heart.

And then Avery started throwing up every ounce of formula I gave her. Every. Ounce. Every. Bottle. She was starving, and she cried, and I cried with her.  I reached out for help at this point, calling her pediatrician, and calling the hospital, and got the same answer every time “It’s not ad much as you think, all babies spit up, she’s fine”  Nobody, not one person believed me, not one person would listen. I felt even more alone.

It took about 4 months before I was finally starting to feel a little better. We figured out the “spit up” issue–after taking a photo of the mass amount to her pedi–a very short torso and reflux meant that every time she burped, the entire contents of her belly would come up. Avery was sleeping better, and I was sleeping better, and we had a routine and a group of moms and babies to hang out with.  I felt like I had control of my life, and I was able to be happy, and calm.

Avery is two now, and while I no longer suffer from postpartum depression, I still don’t think I’m 100% “myself” However, I’m definitely very close.

It has been a hard journey, a scary road. It too me awhile to realize that I had postpartum depression. I was fortunate to travel it with my incredibly supportive husband. He stuck by me despite my constant mood swings, attacks on him when he’d done absolutely nothing wrong.  It was hard, but eventually it got easier.

I still have my not so awesome days, I think all moms do, and I am still not “over” the trauma of Avery’s birth, but I’m no longer thinking of taking her and running away to live in the woods.  Sometimes I do think about running away, but it’s to Disney World, and that’s a whole different story.

 

So, why am I sharing this story again?

On June 2oth, Postpartum depression survivors and supporters,  all over the world, will be climbing mountains or hiking in local parks to symbolize their rise out of the darkness and stigma of maternal mental illness. I am co-leading the Rhode Island climb, and helping to raise funds to support Postpartum Progress, a non-profit organization in the U.S. founded to help support moms around the world.

Unfortunately, I am unable to participate in the Climb this year, due to a work commitment, but my heart will be with all my fellow warrior moms on the 20th!!

Climb Out Of The Darkness is the worlds largest event that raises awareness and support for maternal mental illness. This year there are over 100 walks all over the world including the US, Canada, England, Switzerland, and Australia!

The Rhode Island Climb wil be held at the John Chafee Nature Preserve (Rome Point) on June 20, 2015 at 9:00am. Moms and others are all welcome to  join the local Climb by registering here: https://www.crowdrise.com/courtenaypetracca-COTD2015/fundraiser/sarahbouvier Registration is free.  You can also find information on the event on FACEBOOK

If you’re unable to walk with us, please consider making a donation HERE!

If you are not in Rhode Island and would like to find a Climb near you visit the CLIMB MAP

To learn more about Postpartum Progress, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders visit  postpartumprogress.org 

If you think you are experiencing postpartum depression, do not be ashamed. Get help, talk to someone–a loved one, a counselor, a nurse, anyone. Let someone know how you are feeling. Don’t let it go beyond the “Baby Blues”  While it is normal to feel some sadness and anxiety, if you feel that you want to harm yourself or your baby or if the sadness and negative feelings last longer than a few weeks after the baby is born, you need to reach out for help.  You can even reach out to me, if you don’t have anywhere else to turn!

47 thoughts on “Postpartum Depression: My Story & Climb Out of the Darkness, RI

  1. Jen

    I was going to say the same thing as Chelley. You truly are brave. Making yourself vulnerable by sharing personal info like mental illness is HARD! You put yourself out there and don’t know what to expect in return. You may not feel 100% but I can assure you that your amazing daughter Avery wouldn’t be happy, singing and dancing all over the place if you weren’t. I’d say that FAR exceeds “just getting by.” From where I stand, you are a rockin’ Mom! <3

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Jen <3!!! I'm 100% happy to put myself out there, and be vulnerable if it can help one other mom going through the same thing!!

      Reply
  2. Audrey McClelland

    OH, Sarah. You are BEYOND inspirational and so brave for sharing this story. You are so strong for sharing this. I am always so in awe of the beautiful relationship you have with that gorgeous little girl of yours. Avery is beyond lucky to have you. xoxoAudrey

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you so much Audrey!! Avery and I went through some rough times, but here we are, on the other side, happy, and living a wonderful life full of adventures and joy!! xoxoxox

      Reply
  3. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    Wow, that is so brave of you to share your story. I hope it helps someone else who may be suffering and doesn’t even realize it.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Robin, That is my hope, that even just one other woman finds this and realizes that she isn’t alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

      Reply
  4. Maria

    Your story brought tears to my eyes! You are brave and thank you for sharing your story with us. I’m so glad you were able to climb out of the darkness.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Ellen! It was very difficult, but I’m so so blessed to have an incredibly supportive and understanding husband who stuck by me!!

      Reply
  5. Nicole B

    That was so great you could share your story because I don’t think there is enough awareness about just how real postpartum depression is and how many women are affected.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Nicole! Up until very recently I myself didn’t even realize just how many women suffer from PPD! It’s a huge number, and I hope that we can bring more awareness to it!

      Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Shelley! I was fortunate to have the other women in my mom’s groups to talk to, and some wonderful close friends who could relate, but in the very beginning it was very isolating! I’m glad I’ve figured it out too! 🙂

      Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Susan! It is so real, and difficult, and I hope by writing about it, other moms can see that they aren’t alone and that it gets better!

      Reply
  6. Laura (Lauras Little House Tips)

    I am so glad you shared your story. I know it could not of been easy. It’s been over 20 years since mine were babies but I remember feeling “crazy” and so panicky. My family was not supportive just to say you will get over this soon. People need to understand its life altering and not something you can control by flipping the off switch. Your brave and I am proud I follow your blog 🙂

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you so much Laura!! I think it is very difficult, if not impossible, to understand PPD if you haven’t lived through it (or other type of depression) It definitely isn’t something you can just “get over” it holds on tightly!!

      Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Jen! That is my hope in writing this, that other moms will know they aren’t alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

      Reply
  7. Maria

    You are definitely one brave Mamma! I commend you on sharing your story with us and with others. Congrats on climbing out of the darkness, and I know that it’s still one day at a time.

    Reply
  8. Angela S

    I am so sorry you had to go through this. Postpardum depression touches more women than we realize. Kudos to you for sharing your story and spreading the word about such an important initiative.

    Reply
  9. Pam

    I agree that you are very brave to share your story. I suffered with postpartum depression after my second child was born and it was horrible. People who say it is not real have never experienced anything like it!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Pam. I always knew it was a real thing, but I never realized just how difficult, and at times, debilitating and all consuming it could be!!

      Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you Brett! I’m sorry you went through it! I agree completely! I share these parts of my life hoping that some other mom out there reads it and knows she isn’t alone in it!

      Reply
  10. melissa weintraub (@dentistmel)

    I just read this and remember thinking this was exactly me with Hayley. I had no PPD with Zane but I remember vividly how it felt with H that I was debating having a second. In retrospect, I should have been on medicine but I was too stubborn. Big mistake!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Yes Melissa, I probably should have been too, but so many people scared me away from the local PPD day hospital, and I kept thinking “This will be over soon….It wont go on forever, maybe a few more days…”

      Reply
  11. Shauna

    Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. My best friend went through something like this and had a really hard time with it. I tried to help her as much as I could and am so grateful she came out of it 🙂 Thanks again for sharing

    Reply
  12. Liz Mays

    I suffered through some of this but not for nearly as long as you. There is a way out and I’m so glad everyone is coming together, survivors and supporters!

    Reply
  13. Courtenay

    I really love that you shared your story! I was just speaking about you recently and how amazing you were to not only write about the Climb but then to tell YOUR story to the world! I know how hard but amazingly liberating it is! You are one brave Mom!

    Reply
  14. Jodi Serrano

    Welcome to the survivors club Warrior Mom! I’ve just reached my own point of recovery in telling my story, and while it can be scary to share, we all know how alone and terrified we were going through our own hell and don’t want other moms to have to do that too. Brightest Blessings to you and Avery!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Post author

      Thank you so much Jodi! I shared about it a year ago, but I’m so glad that this post is getting more traffic, and reaching more moms!!

      Reply
  15. Heather Motta

    When more mothers like youself are able to share windows into these dark, difficult moments, then more awareness will come to light to help more and more mothers get the help they need! Thank you for sharing, and I wish you good Climbing.

    Reply

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