Just as beautiful as the birth of my newborn child was, I started getting tormented from postpartum depression. I consulted my doctor about it. Still, she brushed it off by saying, “it’s just hormonal changes,” “you have baby blues,” “it’s just a phase.” But I knew that there’s a line between postpartum blues and postpartum depression. Around 80% of mom’s experience postpartum blues, and 15-20% experience postpartum depression
After my son’s birth, I began to feel more and more anxious and out of the body. It persisted even after I went back to work; I just wanted to crash my car into the tree or throw myself into the river.
What’s it’s like to have baby blues?
When we gaze at baby blues, it doesn’t extend beyond 2 to 3 weeks after you have a baby. You don’t experience baby blues like five months down the road because, by that time, your hormones have generally resolved and come back to their normal level.
Somebody who has baby blues their mood is predominantly happy. There’ll be moments of sadness, tears, adjusting crying, and frustration, but generally, you’re happy. That’s the underlying mood.
Are you suffering from postpartum depression?
Whereas when we are looking at postpartum depression, we are looking at a variety of symptoms, some of which are going to be loss of interest in things that you’ve previously enjoyed, changes in appetite, and sleep right so whether or not you’re given a chance to sleep or nap. You don’t feel well-rested or can’t sleep.
On the other hand, some of you may sleep too much like can’t get out of bed, difficulty in attending the day to day needs that are required for the baby. There may be thoughts of suicide, there may be a lot of isolation going on, the mood is often seen as sad or angry and irritable as opposed to b happy or joyful.
The signs and symptoms of postpartum depression may last for few weeks to months, especially if you are not aware that you are struggling with postpartum depression and don’t get the help you need.
Postpartum depression can happen months later, so it doesn’t show immediately after childbirth; you can be six months postpartum and start experiencing symptoms of depression. However, postpartum depression can come up at any time during the first year, and if left untreated, it can extend beyond that period.
I learned that postpartum depression isn’t just being sad and that I wish I had known that a bit sooner because it sorts of compounded my guilt. I felt inadequate that I didn’t catch something. It is a wave of anger how sad you feel when you should feel so happy. You’ve everybody in your life telling you that “these moments won’t last forever,” “soak it up while they are small,” but none of that’s is realistic; it just doesn’t help.
That’s when I discovered CBD. I shared my mental condition with one of my closest mom friends, and she introduced me to CBD. It did a tremendous job; before, I used to be on 10mg Zoloft, but it didn’t help me relieve my depression.
With CBD, I felt light and more relaxed; there were now periods where I could enjoy being with my son. The effects of CBD were way better than antidepressants.
The best way to use CBD medication
There has been a misconception for a long time where people think that CBD is a hallucinating agent like marijuana. You can use CBD in various forms, including CBD home diffusers, CBD oil, and sublingual CBD.
CBD helps mellow down the anxiety attacks, whatever form you use it in.
Postpartum depression and breastfeeding
Women after childbirth feel stressed, depressed, anxious with severe recurrent episodes of insomnia. Adjusting to this new life and a new routine is hard, and some women may fall into postpartum depression.
This term is usually overlooked by physicians, referring antidepressants for use. CBD testimonials have proved that women feel better as compared to pharmacological management.
If you are taking CBD and also breastfeeding, some of it can potentially transfer to your baby. There’s not much research conducted, but so far, it’s been seen that CBD has had positive effects on both mother and baby. However, high doses of any product can be potentially harmful.
Getting professional help for PPD
After giving birth, there is a sudden decrease in your hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and anandamide, which can make you feel sad and overwhelmed.
Physicians usually prescribe antidepressants or antipsychotics to help combat depression, but PDD is something beyond being sad or depressed; you may feel disconnected from your baby.
Using CBD to combat baby brain
Pregnancy and childcare can make new mothers feel absent-minded, intense episodes of fear, and severe anxiety attacks.
Studies have shown that a mother’s brain changes during pregnancy and lasts through the postpartum phase, leading to changes in the lifestyle: Insomnia, drastic body changes, imbalanced hormones with the increased responsibility of your tiny angel.
CBD for postpartum depression
Many women have been seen turning to CBD products during the postpartum phase. Midwives suggest using CBD oil on the temples or using sublingual CBD; it has a prolonged effect compared to CBD oil. It can assist in endocannabinoid system to system to regulate its function.
There are few studies regarding whether new mothers should alter their natural physiological course or not after childbirth.
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Ways to fight postpartum depression
Around 1 in 5 women suffer from postpartum depression. The side effects are worse as it shows after 6 months when the mother has fallen victim to it. Postpartum depression not only affects the mother but also affects the father as well.
Disturbed sleep patterns, new life routine, care for your little ones, and the pressure from society on how to be a perfect parent eats you up. CBD helps relieve these scary thoughts, and you get more time to enjoy your little one’s huge milestones.
- CBD eases maternal anxiety as it can transfer to the baby, causing frustration and fussiness in your baby called baby anxiety.
- It helps overcome PTSD and PDD after childbirth.
- It also helps drive attention toward your child and take more care of your little one when you are feeling detached and worn out.
- With the birth of a baby, say bye to a good night’s sleep. You’ve to wake multiple times at night to feed him, change his diaper or make sure that he is alright. Sublingual CBD has been proven for an evening of sound sleep. It helps in sleeping fast and awaken well-rested.
- New parents feel overwhelmed after childbirth. Constant care and stress to keep new life alive, healthy and prosperous puts you in an exceedingly difficult status. You do not enjoy yourself in the slightest degree and dedicate yourself to your little one, sometimes being overprotective or caring an excessive amount when your baby is simply doing well and healthy. CBD helps relieve anxiety and depression, and some people use CBD diffusers or CBD oil to ease themselves.
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FAQS
What does CBD do to the brain?
The levels of progesterone and estrogen drop quickly after childbirth. This comes with a sudden feeling of sadness, loss of interest, feeling numb to everything, mood swings, irritable anger issues, and panic attacks.
CBD has an anandamide molecule, also called as bliss molecule; it binds with the endocannabinoid system, stimulating and increases its activity relieving postpartum depression symptoms.
Does CBD show up in breast milk
Yes. If you take CBD during breastfeeding, it can pass to your baby; around 2.5% of CBD reaches the baby via breast milk. But no such side-effects had been seen. CBD has helped relieved baby anxiety and abnormal sleeping patterns.
Further studies are being conducted to research the effects of CBD. It has been detected that there are natural endocannabinoids in breastmilk that help relax the baby and put him to sleep.
How long will PPD last?
Normally the mother presents with baby blues after the first 2 weeks of childbirth. But sometimes, the symptoms can last longer than that, and baby blues can turn into postpartum depression. If left untreated, PDD can last from 6 months to years. Getting the right care on time is essential for the mother’s mental health and the baby.
Is postpartum easier the second time?
I gave birth to two beautiful babies. During my 1st childbirth, I didn’t feel any signs of PDD, just some baby blues, but after my 2nd baby’s birth, PDD hit me really hard.
It all depends on your mental cognition and how early you get the treatment required for your condition.
Is CBD better than antidepressants?
When mothers present with PDD, psychotherapists or physicians prescribe antidepressants or antipsychotics, which have serious adverse effects on the brain. It makes you feel more nauseous, drowsy, irritated, fussy, and sleepy. We certainly do not want that to happen; that’s why CBD has been seen as a natural herb alternative. It does not cause mental claudication or impair cognition; it stimulates serotonin receptors in the endocannabinoid system that helps you feel more attentive, joyful, and less anxious.
Takeaway
Postpartum depression is frightening. I researched everything about my baby’s care, from preparing for the birth to selecting what’s right for my baby and learning their patterns to keep my little one healthy and alive. But nobody told me I’d be eager to feel daunting and overwhelming with severe episodes of depression.
It is important to know that it’s completely normal to feel like this; more than half of women who have children have experienced this, PDD is a stigma that nobody talks about, but you’ll get through this.
CBD has helped a lot of women with proven testimonials that it helps relieve symptoms of postpartum depression. It is a wonder herb that helps reduce anxiety and depression without feeling hallucinating.