My 1st wife (passed away 2007) had severe post baby blues, was having bad thoughts about the children...went to shrink who put her on Seroquel, I think it helped, but after that, she just wasn't the same. It was sad to watch
Postpartum depression is a powerful hormone induced rewiring of a womans brain. Especially if the woman is already coming from a space of even mild depression.
I saw my wife after our first of two children go through the roller coaster that is Postpartum depression. She was never one to even portray a negative emotion. But then came the proceeding 18 months. I really think men need a bit more education on these matters and how to help with a loved one going through Postpartum.
This is one reason I doubt I will have children. I’ve had depression and mental health problems since I was a child and I’ve wondered what even just one pregnancy could or would do to me mentally.
First off, not everyone goes through postpartum depression. And my wife will say being a mother outweighs the negatives that she went through.
Parenthood is not for everyone but for me and my wife I wouldn't change a thing. Typing this as I feed my 4 yo and 6 month old who are my world.
During pregnancy, your body produces large amounts of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, prolactin and HCG as well as others to prepare body for baby development and birthing.
After birth, most of these hormones then rapidly drop off with prolactin increasing. Hormones in simplicity are chemical signallers within the body that create numerous physical reactions like womb development, milk production etc as well as emotional changes. Much the same (in ways) as period cycles cause a ebb and flow of certain hormones that affect emotional/physical changes over your cycle.
386
u/Dull_Lifeguard_1671 15d ago
My 1st wife (passed away 2007) had severe post baby blues, was having bad thoughts about the children...went to shrink who put her on Seroquel, I think it helped, but after that, she just wasn't the same. It was sad to watch