E is for the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS)

Having a baby is not easy, for MANY reasons:

• Babies don’t sleep much at night, therefore you don’t sleep much
• Babies’ only form of communication is crying
• If you gave birth, your hormones are crazy and parts of your body hurt
• If you are breastfeeding, your nipples may hurt
• You don’t get to shower as often as you would like to
• The baby is little and fragile
• There is a LOT of conflicting information on how to care for your baby
• Grandparents want to do things differently than you do
• Supplies are expensive
• Baby poop smells bad and can get everywhere

I just realized that this list may not be helping the situation.

Having the “baby blues” for a week or so is actually normal. But after 2 weeks, it may be more than just the “baby blues”

ADMITTING YOU DON’T FEEL RIGHT IS NOT WEAK. IN FACT, IT IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST THINGS YOU CAN DO.

Here is a link to the scale. If you score 10 or higher, call your doctor. You are not bothering them. They want to help you.

EDPS

(direct link: https://perinatology.com/calculators/Edinburgh%20Depression%20Scale.htm)

Be honest with yourself. You are not alone.