Blog Day for MOTHER’S ACT Support Information

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Tomorrow, Oct. 24th, is BLOG DAY in support of the MOTHER’S ACT. The following has been copied from www.postpartum.net and you will find a new page with Senator Contact info listed by state. This info also indicates who has already signed on as a co-sponsor. Even if you’re not a blogger, please call your senator.

 Here’s the message from PSI President Susan Stone:

Thank you for taking time to participate in this LIFE SAVING legislative initiative which will help to end the suffering of thousands of mothers, infants and families, while offering education, research and training to those who are charged with their care. Together, we are a powerful force to support the promotion of The MOTHERS Act until it becomes federal law.  The implementation of this pivotal pro-social supportive legislation will offer crucial safeguards to women, children and families.

PLEASE LET OUR NATION AND LEGISLATORS KNOW YOU WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE IGNORED ANY LONGER. This is a bipartisan issue that BOTH Democratic and Republican state senators need to support. Just PICK UP THE PHONE and CALL!! If the line is busy, call back or leave your message.

And if your state senator has already signed on to sponsor The MOTHERS Act, call them anyway to express your thanks and support of their stance, to let them know how much this matters and to keep their attention focused on the issue!

A suggested script is below to help the legislative responders in each office identify the referenced bill and the reason for your call. But feel free to add your own powerful and personal ideas/statements about why you feel the passage of this legislation is so important!

REMEMBER – Up to 800,000 women in the U.S. will develop a diagnosable perinatal mood disorder this year! (This does not include women whose babies are stillborn, who miscarry or suffer pregnancy termination). Yet only 15% of these women will receive any treatment. We need to do a better job screening, educating and treating our nation’s mothers! The MOTHERS Act addresses these concerns and offers the common sense and needed remedies of screening, education, provision of services and research. Thanks to your efforts it will not go unnoticed! Let’s move this out of the HELP committee and into the full senate!!

Warmly,

Susan

 Suggested Script

“Hello this is (your name) one of Senator (Senator’s name) constituents from (your town). I am calling to ask the Senator to co-sponsor The MOTHERS Act bill number S. 1375, sponsored by Senator Menendez, which will provide funding for research, education, screening and treatment of postpartum depression.”

Dear Katie,

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 You are not alone. You are not to blame. And you will be well with help. There are so many women across the nation and across the world who have been where you are – suffering alone, scared, anxiety ridden and filled with guilt that they are not being the “best” or “most perfect” mother that they can be. Motherhood isn’t easy for everyone. Even the moms who make it look easy have a hard time. But the good news is that it does get easier and it does get better. Some of us have to take it hour by hour or even minute by minute in the beginning. And some of us need more help than others to get through the early steps of motherhood. Through peer support and solid medical support we make it through. We survive the sheer desperation and panic of postpartum disorders and we make it through. And you know what? It makes us stronger. It makes us even more grateful for what we have, for every smile we witness, for every hug we receive. Because we remember when we couldn’t enjoy those times. I know you’re scared and frightened – there are people who can help you and want to help you on your journey to recovery.

When I suffered from Postpartum OCD, I couldn’t enjoy my children. I didn’t want to laugh or smile. I wanted them to go away and I would get angry with them for the smallest thing. Several times I thought about running away. But where to? And if I left, would I really solve my problems? At the time I thought I would. And then I came crashing down – and landed in the hospital for treatment. I slept the whole weekend and my medication was changed. I also started to reach out for peer support which helped me immensely. Through contact with women in the local birthing network, Jane Honikman, and starting talk therapy, I slowly started to dig my way out of the deep dark hole I had fallen into. And I eventually got to the top. I won’t lie – it was hard work. And by no stretch of the imagination am I who I used to be. I have changed. For the better I think. But I had others to help me and to rely on. And now I pay it forward by helping other women.

I want you to know that you have been in my prayers since I first heard of your disappearance. I have been praying for you and your precious family. I pray that you are safe and alive. I pray that you will return to your two precious boys and your loving husband soon. I know they miss you terribly. Katie, if there’s a chance you are reading this, know that there are a lot of caring and concerned people praying for your safe return home. Know that we do not blame you and we all want to help you in any way that we can. You can do this – you are NOT alone!

Warmest,

Lauren

Thank You!

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I want to thank all of you who have been following my journey and have either shared it with others or found it helpful in your own lives. I had planned this post for 2500 but this morning I found I have surpassed 2500 hits by nearly 200. (see what I get for taking the weekend off?!?!)

Seriously – I appreciate your readership and knowing that others are gaining insight into PPD and pregnancy after PPD means the world to me. When I started, the blog was more for me to vent and express how I was feeling – and also to share with others – but I certainly wasn’t expecting a lot of readers and am quite surprised that in just six short months I have had 2500 people read bits and pieces of my blog. That’s 2500 more people with whom I have shared my story.

I encourage other survivors to speak up, survivors who are already speaking up to continue doing so – there is strength to be found in your stories and what were your dark places. By sharing these things with other women we can not only pass the wisdom we have learned the hard way onto others but we can also pull them up out of their dark places just as we were pulled up and out by others. Postpartum Depression does not have to be suffered alone – and I am truly blessed to be able to help other women find their light at the end of their tunnel. It is an ability I do not take lightly at all and for which I am grateful.

A successful night off

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Ended up going to Red Lobster for dinner with Grandmom. YUM. We had a great dinner, great conversation, and I picked up some Ben & Jerry’s S’mores ice cream for my movie night. Of course, the DVD player didn’t work so I ended up watching the tail end of “What women want” and then “Hitch” on TNT. Good mindless romantic movies. Lil’ Bit, one of the in-law’s dogs cuddled with me the whole time which was nice. I’m so used to being around dogs I think it would have been a bit odd for there not to be dogs there.

I finally started the bedtime process around 1030p – got into bed to go to sleep around 11p and didn’t wake up for the day until 10a! Even then I didn’t pop right out of bed – just kind of laid there for a short bit and then got up to take the dogs out. I went to Panera and got some hot cocoa and a cinnamon crunch bagel w/hazelnut cream cheese spread and took it back to the house to eat. Took my time and then packed up and went grocery shopping before finally returning home. All in all, it was a pretty nice weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed the mindless relaxation.

The girls and I ran some errands yesterday as I have access to MIL’s car this week (well, until tomorrow). I also took a nap yesterday afternoon as the rain lulled me to sleep. We live in Georgia, which if you’ve been watching the news, is now a major disaster area due to drought and seeing rain was nice. Driving in it – not so nice – people here seem to think that rain gives them permission to drive like idiots. But that’s a whole ‘nother post. 

Looking forward to my night OFF

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I have to say that I am really looking forward to my evening off. And I mean COMPLETELY off. No husband, no kids, no nothing. Well, there will be the two dogs over at the in-laws house but really – I’ll just have to let them out tonight and feed them in the morning. That doesn’t count.

I am about to go pack and then shower – taking advantage of our new massage setting – then get ready to head on out. I am not taking my computer or anything PPD related with me. And I am packing my very nice nightgown set that my mom bought me for my birthday. It’s to be worn for my hospital stay once I have the baby but I have been wearing it here and there – just to pamper myself. And all moms deserve to be pampered!

I washed my body pillow and case this morning. I can’t be without it and it desperately needed to be washed. I can’t wait to sleep in a nice big comfy bed and not have an alarm clock shriek me into consciousness. So looking forward to a quiet morning!

Haven’t decided if I am going to go to the cell phone store this evening after dinner or not. Guess it’ll depend on how energentic I feel after dinner. I do need to grab a few movies to take with me – otherwise it’ll be Rambo if I want to watch something. I’m thinking something like Seven Years in Tibet or maybe even something hopelessly hilarious like There’s Something About Mary (that is, if I can find them). I may even splurge on a pint of ice cream for myself…. we’re tight in the budget department this week, so again, haven’t decided yet. For that matter, I haven’t decided where we’re going for dinner – although I am strongly leaning towards Red Lobster. I am suffering from a fierce seafood craving.

Gotta run, it’s nearly 3p here and Chris will be getting off soon. I need to be ready when he gets home to race to the car and be outta here!