I’m a Nurse But I Couldn’t See My Own Postpartum Depression

“Okay, Dad, did you get all that? It’s super important that you’re on the lookout for these signs,” I said. “If she does get them, it will be really difficult for her to recognize them in herself.”

I closed the folder listing the symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) and handed it to the new father in the hospital room. He nodded solemnly, his partner next to him, dressed to go home. Their newborn baby was nestled cozily in her car seat. I knew that educating a family on postpartum depression was one of the most important things I could do, and I was relieved this man seemed to absorb the message.

During my time in nursing school, I worked as an obstetric nurse tech at our local labor and delivery unit. There, I primarily cared for postpartum patients. I helped new parents give their babies their first baths, taught them how to change diapers and how to take care of new umbilical cords. I was also extremely passionate about doing a lot of education on postpartum depression.