Our story comes from a postpartum depression survivor during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s normal for parents to have worry and anxiety when sickness is raging all around them, and these feelings are exacerbated by any sort of mental health condition. My guest shares her experience–and success story–of finding the help she needed in the middle of the pandemic. Many people will resonate with her story, so tell a friend—and join us now to learn more!
Courtney Ginder is a mom, wife, and a postpartum depression survivor. She became a mom in February 2020, and three weeks later is when the world shut down due to COVID. Courtney and her husband were first-time parents who were cut off from their support network as they rode out colic and silent reflux with their newborn daughter. Courtney feels lucky that she was able to get help for postpartum depression during the pandemic, and she has become a passionate advocate for perinatal mental health, making sure that no parent feels alone. She is a part-time social media and graphics specialist for Postpartum Support International, the Social Media Chair for the Indiana Chapter of PSI, and a Climb Leader for Climb out of the Darkness in Indianapolis. She writes a blog about postpartum depression recovery, parenting, and mood disorders at Beyond Postpartum Depression.
Show Highlights
- How Courtney and her husband enjoyed about three weeks of normal parenthood before the pandemic shutdown of March 2020.
- How colic and the “witching hours” set in for her baby.
- Why Courtney tried to justify her early postpartum depression symptoms.
- How Courtney felt like she was drowning with her daughter’s constant feeding schedule and demands.
- How Courtney began thinking intrusive and irrational thoughts and blamed herself for her daughter’s difficulties with silent reflux, thrush, and colic.
- How Courtney and her husband dealt with the baby’s constant crying.
- How her husband insisted that she reach out for help.
- Why Courtney was devastated about not being able to have her six-week postpartum visit in person.
- How Courtney admitted to her doctor that she had postpartum depression and needed help.
- How things improved for Courtney’s mental health and her daughter’s physical issues.
- The reality that someone can be suffering from postpartum depression while appearing perfectly normal to other people.
- How Courtney became involved as an advocate who wanted to do more for struggling mothers.
- How postpartum depression is misrepresented and misnamed in the media.
- How Courtney’s advocacy work gives great meaning to the suffering she went through as a new mom.
Resources
Connect with Courtney and her resources: www.beyondpostpartumdepression.com
https://www.instagram.com/climbout_hamiltoncounty/
https://www.instagram.com/psi_indiana/
https://www.instagram.com/beyondppd/
https://www.facebook.com/PSIIndianaChapter
Dr. Kat offers perinatal mental health psychotherapy . consultation and training for the following:
Pregnancy Loss Support
Pregnancy Anxiety
Postpartum Anxiety
Pregnancy Depression
Postpartum Depression During the Pandemic
In the early days of February 2020, Courtney Ginder embraced motherhood with joy and anticipation, unaware that the world was on the brink of an unprecedented global crisis. Just three weeks after Courtney became a mom, the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread shutdowns, severing her and her husband’s access to their support network and complicating the already challenging journey of new parenthood.
In an enlightening episode of Dr. Kat’s “Mom and Mind” podcast, Courtney shares her intimate battle with postpartum depression during these daunting times. Her story is not just a personal narrative but a beacon of hope for many dealing with similar struggles.
Early Days and Unexpected Challenges
Courtney’s initial weeks of motherhood were blissful and full of learning, as is typical for most new parents. However, the sudden lockdown transformed their new-parent euphoria into isolation and anxiety. The couple found themselves dealing with their newborn’s colic and silent reflux, a trying phase characterized by persistent crying, often referred to as the “witching hours.” These challenges were compounded by the overwhelming sense of solitude and the absence of hands-on help from family and friends.
Recognizing the Signs
Despite the joy of having a new member in their family, Courtney started to experience symptoms of postpartum depression. Initially, she rationalized her feelings as normal parental stress exacerbated by the pandemic. However, as time passed, the symptoms deepened. Courtney felt as though she was drowning under the weight of her daughter’s constant needs, from the relentless feeding schedule to managing her health issues like thrush and reflux.
Intrusive thoughts began to cloud her mind, and she blamed herself for her daughter’s discomfort and health issues. It was during this profoundly vulnerable period that her husband noticed the severity of her struggles and encouraged her to seek help.
Seeking and Finding Help
One of the pivotal moments in Courtney’s journey was the realization that she would not have her six-week postpartum visit in person due to pandemic restrictions. This devastating blow pushed her to admit to her doctor over a phone consultation that she was struggling with postpartum depression and needed help. This step marked the beginning of her recovery and her path toward advocating for other mothers experiencing similar challenges.
Recovery and Advocacy
As Courtney navigated her treatment and support, her mental health began to improve significantly, as did her daughter’s physical health. This personal recovery inspired her to give back to the community that had supported her during her darkest times. Courtney took on roles with Postpartum Support International, becoming a social media and graphics specialist, the Social Media Chair for the Indiana Chapter, and a Climb Leader for Climb out of the Darkness in Indianapolis.
Through these roles, Courtney channels her experience into positive action, helping to dismantle the stigmas surrounding perinatal mental health and ensuring that no parent feels alone in their struggle.
The Misrepresentation of Postpartum Depression
An important aspect of Courtney’s advocacy is addressing the misrepresentation of postpartum depression in the media. Often depicted incorrectly or with insufficient depth, postpartum depression needs to be understood not just as a medical condition but as a complex interplay of biological, emotional, and situational factors that can affect any new parent.
Wrap Up
Courtney Ginder’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of human spirit and the importance of seeking help. Her journey through postpartum depression during the uncertainty of a global pandemic highlights the critical need for robust support systems for new parents, especially during times of crisis. As she continues to advocate for better awareness and support mechanisms, Courtney’s work serves as a reminder that with the right help, recovery is not just possible but probable.
This episode of “Mom and Mind” not only sheds light on the personal struggles of one mother but also educates and inspires others to speak out and seek help. Courtney’s story encourages us to connect, empathize, and support each other, making the journey of parenthood a little easier for everyone.
