Have you read your postpartum wife’s mind lately?

Postpartum Mood Disorders are pesky at the least. If you don’t squash them early by seeking help and creating a positive place where you can relax and fall down, a Postpartum Mood Disorder will turn into a full blown nasty monster. And then you’ll have to use the tranquilizer darts and quite frankly, that hurts.

You are probably here because your wife hasn’t seemed to be quite right since giving birth. Or maybe you’re struggling with some emotional issues and aren’t quite sure where to turn.

First, thank you for seeking help and information in regards to whatever situation you’re in at the moment!

Second, make sure you get yourself in touch with your local Postpartum Support International Coordinator. Even if you’re a guy. Trust me, they’ve got a coordinator for that.

One key thing I want to note here in regards to a Postpartum Mood Disorder is that it’s a real damper on communication. When I was struggling through Postpartum OCD, I expected my husband to read my mind. Yeap. Nevermind that he had not attended Houdini’s School of Telepathy or couldn’t even manage to get something as simple as a napkin to float in the air, he was fully and suddenly expected to know my every thought, need, and behave accordingly. So when he left baby with me instead of pitching in when I torpedoed the request repeatedly at his brain, I got pissed. When he didn’t pick up on the slack in the housework despite me clearly leaving a post-it note on his frontal lobe, I got pissed. You see where I’m going with this?

He never asked what I needed help with. He assumed I would open my mouth and let him know what I needed. Except that for some reason childbirth and Postpartum OCD made that a whole lot harder to do. So I didn’t. And he didn’t. And suddenly there we were, rushing toward Niagra Falls in a wooden barrel.

Communication is key to getting things back on track. Helping out with chores like cooking, cleaning, childcare is imperative. I call this the 3 C method. Ask if she needs help with any of them and you’ll be getting some serious brownie points.

Don’t understand Postpartum Mood Disorders or what’s going on with your wife specifically? Go to the doctor appointments with her. Ask questions. An involved, pro-active spouse is going to get his wife back a lot faster than one who is not involved and is judgmental about what she is currently experiencing. She cannot snap out of her depression. It will take time, it will take work, and it will take dedication.

But the more you ask, the more you do, the more of a routine helping each other out will become in your marriage. She may not thank you at first but trust me, she’ll feel it in her heart. And one day, when she’s well enough, she will say thank you even though those words will never be enough to express how appreciative she is that you dared to jump into the ditch with her.

Discovery Health: Postpartum Nightmares airs tonight (March 2nd)

This week is Baby Week over at Discovery Health. Tonight they will be dealing with Postpartum Mood Disorders.

I had a chance to preview the documentary over the weekend via my other blog, Sharing the Journey.

Overall, it was one of the most informative programs I’ve seen on mainstream television regarding postpartum mood disorders. I almost did not watch the entire show as the descriptions of postpartum mood disorders by the moms are accompanied by some pretty intense footage. Footage so intense, in fact, that I do not feel comfortable recommending that a struggling or newly recovered mother watch the program. If I could get the audio of just the narration to a new/struggling mom, I would do so in a heartbeat. But I would be hesitant in handing over film.

If you have plans to watch the program tonight or have watched the program and have questions, concerns, or need to locate resources near you, please do not hesitate to connect with me via Twitter (username unxpctdblessing) or via email at ppdacceptance(@)gmail.com. If you email me, please be sure to note “Postpartum Nightmares” in your subject line.

The most important thing to know about Postpartum Mood Disorders is that you are indeed not alone, you are NOT to blame, and you will be well.

Click here to read my full reaction post over at Sharing the Journey. You will find resources and further information on many of the topics mentioned in the documentary there as well.