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Father Post Partum Depression...really??

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 9:16am
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SFMom

I am sorry, I have to say I had a hard time getting past this guy's whining....really? Cowboy up dude! Can't say I am shocked the marriage failed!

MY TURN
Slouching Toward Fatherhood

I thought being a dad would come easily to me. But soon after my son's birth, I was looking for a way out.
By Joel Schwartzberg | NEWSWEEK

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192463/page/2

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Comments

HomeMomma
HomeMomma
 

With moms having the majority of the responsibility, we don't stop to think what Dad goes through during pregnancy and those first few precious days after birth. Everyone is so focused on Mom, and I think we all need to understand that postpartum depression is probably more common than we know in Dads. Even without all the hormonal changes, Dads experience the gamut of emotional and life changes. They need some TLC, too! Personally, I'm GLAD that people are now shedding some light on a father's postpartum issues!

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 4:32pm
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Noreen Mac's picture
Noreen Mac
 

I suppose for many women it sounds crazy that dad can get postpartum depression but it is very real. In the United States as many as 1 in 4 new dads have postpartum depression. PPD and other mood disorders are common. Seeing baby for first time everyone is filled with excitement and dads are filled with pride and excitement. Then, reality sets in...sleepless nights, screaming infant needing constant care, arguments with partner and going to work exausted. It can be very difficult for a woman to admit that she has ppd, so can you imagine
how difficult it must be for a dad to admit that he is feeling depressed. I think I would
admire a dad for admitting having ppd or
ppnd (Paternal Postnatal Depression) It can result in long-term damaging, consequences for a man, his children and entire family. With support, treatment men can recover fully from PPND.
I have studied this and maybe witnessed this a few times as I am a Nighttime Postpartum Doula. I work with families right after the baby arrives home from the hospital. My job is
about supporting and understanding and not to
judge during the postpartum period. I think we all have our issues--women and men and we need
to support each other. If you want to know more about Nighttime postpartum doulas please
go to our site at www.sfnightdoulas.com and we
have some resources for ppd in our resource page.

All the best
Noreen

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 6:37pm
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