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Tanya's avatar

My daughter turned two in January and this is the article I wish I had read while pregnant!! Thank you for sharing. Medication made a world of difference in my PPA journey but I wish I had pursued it earlier. I talked about my anxiety at every wellness appointment and was told how normal it was every time. Recognizing just how bad my internal state was getting would have made the baby stage so much easier for my family. So thankful for my husband’s patience and my mom friends also going through it!

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Aleen Dreksler's avatar

Exactly, just because its normal doesn't make it any easier! I'm happy you eventually got the help you needed.

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Dani Anderson's avatar

The stretchy dress is too real

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TeacherMom23's avatar

I have a 20 month old- everything you said about your postpartum anxiety and your body really resonated with me. I have not felt like myself since birth. I really struggle to even remember what I used to look like. I try to be patient with myself and remind myself all that my body went through. My daughter is my entire world and I’ve never loved someone more- but the hyper vigilance and worry can be mentally exhausting. Thank you so much for sharing your experience- this means alot to so many of us. You’ve inspired me to talk more about how I’m feeling ❤️

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Jess Fierro's avatar

Loved this! Thanks for sharing Aleen and answering such an important question! I am a mom to a 13 month old girl and am still in the process of finding my new identity as a mom. Milk supply, intrusive thoughts, body image (gained more than 40 pounds), child care etc.. you touched on it all with such grace and so well written. lol thank you!! This is a realistic take and also reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you!! ❤️

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Aleen Dreksler's avatar

Thank you for your comment. Means a lot and I'm glad it resonated.

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Kylie H.'s avatar

Thank you for sharing. It does look like something get cut off at end the if the paragraph about seeing your therapist? See: “she helped me identify…”. Very curious what that was as someone who went through PPA myself!

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Aleen Dreksler's avatar

Omg thanks for catching, finished this late last night. I edited it out. I was just going to say that she helped me identify what was going on, that it was normal but also severe and I was right to seek help!

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