Just another example of how a symbol can have great meaning and power.
Postpartum Progress, a national nonprofit blog that offers information and support for pregnant women and new mothers who have postpartum depression (ppd) and other mental illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth, published a raw and moving story on his facebook page of a #guerreramamá.
lucy mcewen, a mother of two who encountered the organization during a dark period of her life after the birth of her first child, recently headed to a tattoo parlor to receive her first body art. the design: the postpartum warrior mom logo, which “represents a strong woman who does her best to take care of herself and her baby, protecting them both by fighting their disease with treatment and support from others” .
In this personal essay, mcewen explained the difficulty of expressing how debilitating living with ppd can be.
“I barely fed, showered, dressed or left the house,” she wrote. “There were nights when I sat up in bed, with tears running down my cheeks. my daughter would wake up to eat throughout the night, like newborns do, and I would cry during diaper changes, nursing, diapers.”
according to the american psychological association (apa), ppd is defined as a serious mood disorder in women that can appear days or months after giving birth. Unlike the “baby blues,” which lasts for a short time (usually a week or two after delivery) and goes away on its own, postpartum depression can last for weeks or months, especially if left untreated.
In fact, 10 to 15 percent of women experience PPD, and 30 to 70 percent experience symptoms for at least a year, states the American Anxiety and Depression Association. at least five of the following symptoms are commonly present:
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sadness
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loss of interest or pleasure in things you normally enjoy
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fatigue or loss of energy
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increased or decreased appetite
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sleeping too much or insomnia
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feeling restless or like you’re slowed down
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feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
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difficulty concentrating or indecisiveness
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death or suicide thoughts or a suicide plan
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anxiety and ruminating thoughts, which can occur with other mood symptoms
“We all have bad days,” explains postpartum progress on her site. “Postpartum depression and anxiety are not just bad days. women with ppd or anxiety have symptoms like these most of the time, for a period of at least 2 weeks or more, and these symptoms make it very difficult to live your life every day.”
early detection and treatment make a difference, says the apa. Various forms of psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy), often combined with antidepressant medications, have been shown to be effective.
there is no doubt that mcewen’s story is inspiring. her today she serves as a warrior mommy ambassador for postpartum progress, she is certified in mental health first aid and is currently working on certifying herself through cappa (childbirth and postpartum professional association) as a postpartum doula.
and the new ink on her left wrist, which is considered backwards in the tattoo world as the symbol is in front of her, is a forever reminder of her strength and determination.
“it’s me,” he wrote above his tattoo. “That’s me, and that little baby represents my children. and that shield is all I have chosen to do to protect myself. …it’s me, surviving. It’s me, turning on it’s me doing whatever it takes to stay here, day in and day out, and get through the bad days for the sake of the good times. and I will never stop fighting.”
read more:
adele opens up about her battle with postpartum depression
remy ma reveals pregnancy loss in heartbreaking video
amber rose just got the craziest new tattoo
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