Changing the definition of Postpartum

Postpartum...

Most of the time, even just that one word... makes people think of depression, like that very word automatically means depression. Yes, there are many, MANY women who suffer from postpartum depression. But just the word postpartum by itself means the period of time after having a baby.

So, it is my desire to change the way people think about postpartum. That we can actually enjoy every moment after we have a baby. Yes, postpartum JOY is actually possible. How do I know this? Because I've experienced it. I've also experienced the other end as well...



You see... this was me about 3 years ago... Fat and depressed.

This was me about a year and a half after I had my second baby. In fact, I got down to pretty close to my pre-pregnancy weight pretty fast. But then, over the next year or so, I gained about 30 lbs! I was so depressed, breastfeeding sucked, I resented my baby sometimes, I couldn't WAIT until my kids slept, I was merely surviving everyday, doing nothing for myself. My life was out of control. I was so hormonal and stressed that THE minute we put our kids to bed I went straight downstairs gathered all the junk food I was hiding... ice cream, chips, candy, chocolate and plop myself in front of the TV and dive right in. I was VERY much an emotional eater... and that food kept me in my depression. It was a never-ending tail-spin! There were even times where I was just so fed up, and thought, "What's the point in going on??" and even thought about ending my life.

But...

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.



This is me today... 5 months after my third baby...full of joy, and THRIVING everyday instead of merely just surviving.

These past 5 months have been night and day difference than the time after my first and second babies.

What's different???

I'm not depressed, I don't gorge myself on junk food anymore, I love and relish any moment I have with my baby and my kids, breastfeeding is going beautifully, I'm actually losing weight, I do things that feed MY soul, and I'm enJOYing life! Every moment!!!

Want to know what changed? How have I achieved this??

Well, there are several things. The biggest things have been that I'm actually taking care of myself. I've improved my health, worked on some things personally, and I've found ways to live in the present. So keep reading my blog to find out the different ways HOW I've achieved Postpartum Joy.

Postpartum does NOT have to mean fat and depressed. Come, join with me as I record my journey of enjoying motherhood everyday.