“I was so excited I decorated the nursery months before the baby arrived. But when she came, it was not a dream. I had no energy to smile or even to cry. I didn’t even want to pick her up. This was not how I thought it was going to be, and I was ashamed of how I felt.”
— From “Depression During and After Pregnancy,” published by the Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Such sentiments are often expressed by women with postpartum depression (PPD), a serious condition that affects 10 to 15 percent of new mothers, according to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The crippling sadness and overwhelming fatigue associated with PPD can disrupt a woman’s ability to care for herself and her child. By recognizing the symptoms and getting the right help from health care providers — such as Nurse-Midwives — PPD can be treated so a new mom can better enjoy her baby and this special time in her life.

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This blog post, published by Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies, provides information on PPD including signals, treatments, and preventative measures. Read the entire blog post here.