NO ONE TELLS YOU HOW HARD IT IS GOING TO BE- CORAZON KWAMBOKA AND OTHERS OPEN UP ABOUT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

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Postpartum depression is a real thing. I had no idea until I went through stories on Edgar Obares second Instagram account.

So many women shared their personal experiences and truth be told, the stories were sad. I just didn’t know what to expect after each story.

But before I list a few of them, here’s a story from the newest mom in town. Corazon Kwamboka opened up about her struggle with PPD. See her story as it appeared on her post.

World Mental Health Day.

Before this day is over I would like to share a short story. I had my baby in August, no one tells you how hard it’s going to be, it was the best moment in my life but it was also the toughest moments for me. So I found myself crying for no reason, banging doors and throwing myself on the floor, every small thing would trigger me to go nuts, like if the food did not have enough salt. I had such a hard time, Frankie tried, I mean he really tried to make it easier but I was just pushing him away.

One day I started driving in the middle of the night with my baby strapped on his seat. That’s when I realized I was endangering myself and my baby and I needed help.

I had been embarrassed to ask for help, embarrassed to admit that I was having a hard time, it took a huge toll on me trying to deal with it alone. I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s okay to be stressed or to have blues. Surround yourself with people who love and support you and don’t push them away, and when you feel you can’t take it anymore, it’s okay to seek help. We are just humans too.

Despite being the most common medical complication of childbirth, PPD carries a stigma that may be at the root of why so many women don’t share their symptoms with a healthcare professional.

But there’s just something about Edgar that makes people naturally open up to him. So here are a few of the other stories that were shared. Of course, identity is hidden.

Real Life postpartum depression cases

It has been two years since I delivered her and I’m still one depressed human. Sometimes I wake up and feel like I just want to kill myself and end this unending pain. Being jobless and living with a narcissist parent fuels it even more. Seeing your friends doing better for themselves while you’re still stuck at home, your parents reminding you daily how worthless and stupid you are. I feel bad for my kid, I wish I could offer her love and care. but instead I’m just always irritable and angry.

Wrote one woman

This thing is real. I had my baby via CS. It was a beautiful moment but it wasn’t easy. Having to be in pain, cant carry anything heavier than the baby but you still have to wash her. It was hard, emotionally I was drained. I didn’t talk to anyone, I was irritated by everything…I have anxiety problems. So dealing with anxiety and PPD, new baby, new pain and physical appearance. No one understands what you go through and don’t take a chance to listen. It takes strength to get out of the dark place.

wrote another woman

Last year, I had a miscarriage and the depression is twice as much. Your hormones are messed up and confused and you have nothing to show for it. You have to face other pregnant happy ladies, other newborns… I felt so helpless especially when I found out baby daddy had moved on with his life…

wrote another

Last case scenario that I picked from the hundreds of them was this;

I’m still in campus, I got pregnant last year. And it was an ectopic pregnancy, one of my Fallopian tubes was removed. After the event I used to cry a lot, I was so hopeless. So I would lock myself in my room. As much as it was unplanned, I still could not understand why that happened to me. I was so depressed , I wished to die…

The stories shared were many, personal, sad, and overwhelming. But why do women shy away from talking about their struggles with PPD?

Sometimes new moms feel like failures that’s why they choose to keep quiet. Others are not aware that it is a problem and they need help. A good number is worried that people will think they’re ‘a bad mother’. Who would want people to think that they don’t love their baby?

How to manage postpartum depression

So women, if Postpartum Depression is not treated, it can weaken your ability to bond with the baby, and affect your entire family. So here is a tip on how to manage it:

During pregnancy- your doctor can monitor you for symptoms. And you can manage the mild symptoms with support groups and counseling.

After your baby is born- your doctor may recommend an early postpartum checkup to look for symptoms of depression. The earlier you get diagnosed the earlier you can begin treatment.

By Wanjiru Mbaru

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Michelle
Michelle
3 years ago

Ppd is a real thing and this is wonderful Edgar and your team for bringing it to light.

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