I’m at Risk for Postpartum Depression…Here’s How I’m Supporting myself to decrease my Likelihood of relapse

There was a time in my life when I struggled with major depression.

It is not something I would wish on anyone. I felt like I was paralyzed and walking through mud.

And I felt like a bad Christian because some assume you can pray your depression away.

Depression is more than a mindset, it is a physiological response and it impacts your mind and body. Yes spirituality is a key factor to support depression, but it often requires a more holistic approach to pull someone out of the trenches.

Due to my history, I am at a high risk of experiencing postpartum depression. Rather than “normalizing it,” living in denial or fear, I am living proactively and giving myself compassionate care.Here are a few steps I am taking to support myself:

1. Taking time to nourish. I spent 6 months nourishing my body with minerals prior to conceiving because when we conceive, pregnancy depletes over 10% of our minerals. If you enter pregnancy depleted, your baby pulls from your stores. Minerals are the spark plugs of life and your neurotransmitters and hormones, and a deficiency can make you prone to depression. Knowing this, I took action. My fav book for nourishment during pregnancy is Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols. You can find this book in the comments!

2. Caring for my nervous system with somatic exercises, vagal toning, and biblically rooted mindfulness. One large clinical trial shows that practicing mindfulness for eight weeks may be as effective as taking escitalopram PMID: 36350591. I have spent years tending to my nervous system, and pregnancy has opened up even more layers to tend to. As my uterus stretches, memories have been released and have needed to be tended to and metabolized rather than suppressed. Suppressing emotions leads to a nervous system that is on edge and in constant overdrive, which eventually leads to a state of dorsal vagal shut down which can mimic depression. Knowing I am prone to this, I am taking action.

3. Prioritizing my light environment. Light impacts our circadian rhythm and disruptions in this rhythm contribute to depression. Knowing this will be even more impacted when my baby arrives, I am taking action now. Light therapy has been shown to decrease depression. Optimal light environment also supports our melatonin regulation and improve sleep, which impacts mood. We pass on our melatonin to our babies, and our they mirror our circadian rhythms, so making this a priority supports both mom and baby.

Pregnancy is an invitation to tend our mind, body, and Spirit.

These are just a few ways I’m accepting that invitation in this season. Like this if you found it helpful!

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