Guest Post: A Postpartum Story by Monica

Meet Monica! We went to high school together and she has always been a beauty and a fantastic person to be around.  She has two beautiful children and has had her share of some rough depression.  She is a champ and has gone down the road of natural medicine and traditional medicine and so I asked her to write a post about her experiences with both.  I am so grateful she shared her knowledge and has been willing to add her voice to our little club (we have a club, right?)  Her words have touched me and i love how she talks about separating ourselves from our struggles...a big thing on my "Must Do" list as well.  Without further ado...here's Monica!

I have to admit I feel a little silly being asked as a “guest writer” like I am some sort of expert on the issue.  Well, let me assure you I’m not!  But, I have had a fair share of fun on what I like to call the hormone rollercoaster so I am happy to share my experiences with you.  And hopefully if nothing else, you will know that you are NOT alone.  There is strength in numbers and knowing you don’t have to suffer on your own is empowering. 

I was 7 or 8 months pregnant with my second child when it finally hit me that I was depressed with a capital D and had been for the last 3 years.  The thing that many people may not understand about depression is that it is not always environmental.  Meaning, my situation and my life couldn’t have been going any better.  My marriage was great, I had just graduated college, and I was able to stay home with my children which is something I had always wanted to do.  My depression (and anxiety) was internal; it was not situational, (which is useful to know when trying to decide on an approach to getting better).  I didn’t really know what to do about it at that point but I made a promise to myself that after I had the baby I needed to do something.  At my 6 week postpartum appointment I went prepared to tell my doctor that I was depressed and needed help.  She prescribed me with meds and guess what!  They worked!!  I felt great!  All of those negative, self degrading, worthless thoughts were removed from me.  It was wonderful.  I took them for about a week but then noticed that my baby was acting different than usual.  He was very lethargic but fussy and not sleeping normally. I knew it was the medication getting to him from my milk.  My heart sank.  I had finally found my magic potion to help me get over this hump and I didn’t feel like I could use it at the risk of it affecting my baby.  I felt defeated. 

That’s when I was introduced to this wonderful thing called natural medicine.  I know!  Granola, non-shaving, peace on earth, voodoo, apothecary type medication.  Only crazies believe in that, right?  Not even close.  With the encouragement of my sister who already had wonderful experiences with a woman who is an energy kinesiologist, I made an appointment with her.  There is no medication involved.  Just you, your hormones, and her gift to heal.  

It was a wonderful experience.  Difficult to describe, kind of like trying to explain what salt tastes like:)  She balances the energy in your body.  Every session is different and she uses many different methods depending on what your body needs at that time.  Oils, pressure points, message, herbs, tones, etc.  She does talk to you but it is not a therapy session.  I honestly don't know how it works, but I know it does.  Ask my husband:)  He says, "All I know is when you came back, you were better."  If you go into it with an open mind it can be a very spiritual experience.  I learned a lot about myself and my body and that I am stronger than I think I am.  I left feeling like I could conquer anything!  

When I got home and back to my regular schedule I felt exactly the same as I always had.  *Sigh* So I went on with my life and about 2 weeks later I was reflecting a little on how I’d been doing the last few weeks and realized, I had been doing GREAT!   It was a slower process than I had expected but my body was reacting positively and I felt better.  Not super woman, just better.  I have been several times since and am so grateful to have been led to her.  My life has significantly improved since I have realized that I don’t have to just endure and suffer, but there are things I can do to help me get better.  

I think it is also important to mention that I have consulted with my doctor and have found a medication that is also helping me cope through this difficult stage in my life.  The miracle of medication is nothing to sneer at (even though I did for a LONG time until I finally said uncle).  I had a lot of fears about starting a medication, like “Will I have to be on it forever?”  “Am I going to be exactly the same as I am now when I get off of it.”  “Will I gain 900lbs?”  “Will I be able to feel at all or does it just numb all emotions?”  It has been a long road for me to start feeling ok about who I am since I’ve become a mother.  My road is not over yet but I do know that I won’t have to be on medication forever.  It is the right thing for me to do at this time.  Find out what works for you.  (I feel like one of those prescription drug commercials, “Find out if Blankitycamdenoft is right for you.”)  Anyway, life is good.  Smile a little.  It helps:)

Both of these things have helped me separate myself from my depression.  I am a happy person.  The over anxious, self decrementing person is not.  I can be happy and enjoy my children and not yell or have my own temper tantrums.  The depressed, high tension person cannot.  If you would like to get in contact with a foot zoner or kinesiologist (I’ve actually experienced both), PLEASE message me and I would be happy to refer you!!  (mobud14@yahoo.com)

Thanks for letting me share Judi!