This is why Postpartum Support Charleston is so important to me.

I experienced postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of my first son 12 years ago. The anxiety hit me immediately and the depression crept in within the first month. I loved my new baby with such intensity that anything outside of my control felt like a danger. We only left the house to attend his pediatric appointments and this isolation grew into agoraphobia. I was scared of everything on the "outside": strangers, germs, kidnappers, natural disasters, car wrecks, you name it. Staying in our house was the only place I felt he'd be safe. I was so anxious that I couldn't eat and could only stomach Ensure supplements. I was too anxious to sleep, to walk down the stairs holding him, to have him nap in a different room, to have friends and family meet him. I literally would cry for hours because of how much I loved him. My emotions were all over the place and I was not someone you'd want to be around - someone constantly on the brink of tears with unwashed hair and shaky hands. 

I felt hopeless and couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. My go-back-to-work date loomed as if it were my execution date. I dreaded the passing of each day because it brought me closer to spending my days at work versus protecting my baby at home. I'm pretty sure I would've become suicidal had my husband and parents not initiated help for me. Eventually I saw a psychiatrist, was prescribed Zoloft and waited the 4-6 weeks for it to take effect. I had to extend my maternity leave because I was basically incapable of caring for anyone but my baby - myself included - so how could I possibly care for my patients as a home health care nurse? 

Things changed when the Zoloft kicked in. The world outside our house began to feel safer and we slowly ventured out. My appetite and sleep improved and my emotions leveled out. I felt more comfortable introducing my baby to his family and friends. Even germs began to seem less germy. I am so grateful to my husband and parents for supporting me through my PPD/A and getting me the help I desperately needed before it was too late. 

Nobody had really talked to me about perinatal mood disorders before my son was born.  After I recovered and told people about my PPD/A, I heard from so many other women that they had struggled with the same thing. Now I'm on a mission to spread the word about maternal mental health by having honest, real talk with soon-to-be moms so they're not blindsided like I was should they develop a mood disorder. One out of five new moms do. 

I wish I had had an organization like Postpartum Support Charleston in the city where my son was born. Knowing I wasn't alone in my PPD/A would've been invaluable at the time. It's important for all new moms to know they're not alone. Talk about it. Be honest with your new mom friends. Let's destigmatize maternal mental illness and normalize how difficult new motherhood is together! 

Postpartum Support Charleston is celebrating its 25th year of supporting new moms with 1:1 mom mentors, group support, community events and Beyond Delivery - a meal & care package gift for new moms in the tri-county area. Please consider donating to this organization that is near and dear to my heart. 

Jenna Petelle Arsenault 

Boy Mom | PSC Board Member | Postpartum Doula | Advocate for Maternal Mental Health