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Sweet Post Partum Depression

Host: Hello again everyone.. this will be our last week but I do hope pehpot will give us a weekly time slot (ahem ahem).. Looking back, you know we tackled topics from Caesarean Delivery to Caring For New Born to Post Partum Tradition and now our last installment for this month long birth giving related topic is about Post Partum Depression.

Our guest blogger for today is the beautiful and talented mom and a very extraordinary, may I add, Enchie of Sweet Nothings…

Hi Enchie, you are prettier in person ( starstruck attack), although it is our pleasure to have here, may I still ask, how does it feel being one of our guest?

Enchie: I am very honored to be asked by Mommy Peh of Make or Break to share my point of view about Post Partum Depression. It is a very good topic to discuss, yet sensitive. Let me share this on a more personal aspect.

Host: So did you know about Post Partum Depression?Are you aware of this condition before? Did you expect it when you were pregnant? I am really fascinated by this topic as I heard extreme cases of mothers who experienced PPD.

Enchie: I have read and heard stories that has something to do with Post Partum Depression. It even involved, famous people. As a former nursing student, I studied a lot about Post Partum Depression. I have been on hospital duties taking care of soon to be moms and mothers who are fully experienced. It was a good experience to remember. I saw all types of emotions and attitude coming from different types of people in society. It made me think about a lot of things. I pictured myself in their position (being a mom).. Figuring out ways in order to avoid such breakdown.

Scientifically, Post Partum Depression is unexplainable for an ordinary human being. According to what I’ve learned, it is an imbalance in the body that affects one’s emotions. Particularly to women who just gave birth. Symptoms may include: Sadness, Hopelessness, Low self-esteem, Guilt, A feeling of being overwhelmed, Sleep and eating disturbances, Inability to be comforted, Emptiness.

Host: Wow, you sure do know a lot about PPD. Knowing about the condition, did it make a difference on your part? I mean did it spare you from experiencing it? Or you experienced but handled it well since you already knew about it.

Enchie: I did experienced PPD. I wasn’t expecting that I will go through it. I viewed child birth as one of my favorites and as an unforgettable part of my life. One night, I caught myself shed a tear. My back was facing my husband, I was just a week away after giving birth. I was crying. As I was assessing that phase in my life, I realized the emotions that filled me, were feelings of longingness.

I was longing for my mom to be there beside me. My Mother have always been there for me… Especially when I gave birth. Aside from my husband, she was the other person who stood by me and helped me. Maybe, I was just being hopeful that she could stay at my house everyday, every night just to know she’s there.

I was a little girl longing for my Mother’s presence. She granted me that hope. Everyday, she would go to my house accompany me, and teach me “the firsts” on taking care of a baby. But as much as she wanted to sleep over, she can’t. Because I have my other siblings that needs to be taken cared of.

Host: It must have been hard for you then but since you got your mom beside you (even for a while), I am pretty sure you got over it soon. I really can’t relate that much as I have never gave birth before or even felt that longing (to anyone) but the way you describe it, it must have been really sad.

Enchie: Yes it was really quick. That one night of crying was my last. I totally knew I was undergoing depression. I fought my emotions back. Looking at the man I married gave me the #1 valid reason, why I said yes and why I am in this position in the first place. To have a family. A happy visit from my only Grandmother, Mother and Godmother made things more solid and clear. The day they all came was just lovely. It was my moment to embrace the blessing of Motherhood tighter.

Host: Ahh I can see from here, that your visit did made your day, your eyes twinkle as you talk about it. It must have been a very defining moment for you.

So what elso do you think helped you in coping up with PPD?

Enchie: Support played a great role. Other considerations are good health, (before, during and after pregnancy). Keeping a happy disposition, positive thoughts (that includes: acceptance, courage, love and being responsible). I would say that a good relationship with family is the most important factor that helped me overcome this state.

Lastly, if you strongly believe…. God will provide you with all these… Lift every pain, every discomfort, worries, second thoughts to HIM. And you will be in good hands.

Host: And your happy disposition in life is very evident Enchie.. your smile says it all. I am really glad to have you here with and we learned so much from you.

To know more about Enchie, visit her personal blog, Sweet Nothings or drop by her food blog, From My Kitchen And Beyond (don’t forget to bring a towel, you’ll be drooling all over.. hihi)

Be with us again on Wedensday for another episode of Blogging Today

Post Partum Traditions Spree

Host: Hello again and welcome to the hottest talk show in blogniverse.. BLOGGING TODAY!!! And as we continue with our topic for this week, Post Partum Traditions, I give to you our guest blogger for today, the beautiful (and young) the benggalicious of
Beng’s Entertinment Spree , Miss Beng!

Hello Miss Beng, it really is an honor to have you with us today. Thank you so much for bringing bibingka and puto bumbong here (drool.. drool..)

Beng: Oh no it’s nothing, and it’s my pleasure to be a guest blogger here. And can I take this opportunity to thank Miss Seiko for the maki she gave.(munch on California maki)

Host: (while muching on bibingka and puto bumbong) I think aside from learning about Filipino post partum tradition, our stomachs will be filled today too.

And yes, back to our ~~food~~ show, tell us Miss Beng, what are some of the post partum traditions that you practiced when you gave birth?

Beng: Let me see if I can still remember, haha, it has been 6 years ago. Well, one is, I was not allowed to take a bath for at least two weeks or at least one day after my reflex session. The first time I gave birth to my eldest son, I was really clueless on how to get things done (breastfeeding, bottle feeding, disposable or cloth diaper). My MIL(mother in law) advise me not to take a bath until the reflex session. But my mom told me that I should take a bath before the session starts because during that period mom said I should not take a bath. I followed my mom…but I see to it that I clean myself at night before going to sleep because the smell of oil is irritating.

Host: 2 weeks without a bath? Oh my, please tell pehpot not to go anywhere near us. haha. How about that reflex session, am I right to assume that it is the same as HILOT?

Beng: Yes it is, (is there any English term for that?). Hilot is a must after giving birth. Who would believe that even manghihilot (the person practicing it) offers a package too? After giving birth to my second child, I also got the same manghihilot, but you can choose if you want it on a per day or avail of the complete session, we were in a tight budget then so I chose a 4 day
session only (I think it costs 150 PhP, 6 years ago). Now I have no idea how much.

Host: I am really curious on the “hilot” thing. Why is it necessary?

Beng: If I am not mistake it is done to help our body get back to its normal shape. Our body expands during our pregnancy and it does not easily gets back to its original shape after giving birth, the hilot will make it easier. They say that is one of the reason why mothers who experienced hilot are still sexy (uhurm, uhurm) even after giving birth. The session usually starts after you stop bleeding, about 5 to 7 days after giving birth.

Host: Sounds promising, guess I will avail of that hilot package when it’s my time (which will be gazillion years from now hehe). Tell us more of our post partum traditions..

Beng: Guava leaves, yes, using guava leaves to wash your private parts (and whole body). Boil the leaves with water and use it on your wounds (applicable for normal delivery). I followed this, and its true that it can easily heal the wounds.

Another thing is, you are not allowed to do household chores that involves washing like doing the laundry or cleaning the feeding bottle. But if you have no helper like me, I have no choice but to wash the feeding bottles and clothes of my baby after one week because I used cloth diapers during daytime. My mom would scold me if she found out at night that I washed the baby’s
clothes, sometimes hubby would help me wash the bottles before he goes to the office (I think that’s 1 or 2 weeks after giving birth).

Host: Just like the post partum traditions in Japan (courtesy of Seiko), new mothers are not allowed to do anything. I guess it only shows that amidst the difference on cultures and traditions, mothers are given the highest regards and both country recognize the importance of the mother in the society.

Again, Miss Beng, thank you so much for being with us here (and yes you can that maki home, hihi). I hope that in the future we can invite you to be with our guest again. I enjoyed talking with you specially about the hilot part and being sexy again.

Time to say goodbye guys, see you all next week for our Monday episode of
BLOGGING TODAY!

Post Partum Traditions by Seiko

Host: Oh I am loving our new badge and new title.. say it with me guys: BLOGGING TODAY.. BLOGGING TODAY.. BLOGGING TODAY…

It’s getting in my head now. Back to our show guys, Hello! Hello! This is our third week and we’re still on and rocking the blogniverse! If last week, we talk about caring for newborn, now we will talk about post partum traditions. And to add some spice to our show, our guest today will share with us post partum tradition from another culture. Our guest blogger for today is none other the beautiful and talented Seiko of Seiko’s Diary…

Hi Miss Seiko and thanks for bringing us here in Japan (we will be shopping later.. hihi). So how does it feel being here with us today?

Seiko: Pehpot invited me as one of her guest blogger & gonna post about the theme in “postpartum traditions” and it’s an honor to be as one of her guest blogger.Thank you so much Mare.

Host: I am sure you had a lot to share with us. If you must know guys, Seiko has been living in japan for years now. She is a mother of 3 lovely ladies and 1 cutey princess. She is married to a Samurai (read here for of her interesting story here, or maybe will have her again for that)

Seiko: We’re allowed to at least mentioned 5 things of a postpartum traditions and would be glad of sharing this into here.Since I m living in Japan at a present in a long period of time I just learned some traditions here in Japan which I guess is different in some other part of the Universe. And in here I would like to share the styles,beliefs & traditions here in Japan after giving birth.

Although childbirth is a universal fact of human physiology,where, how, with whom, and even when a woman gives birth are often culturally determined. New mothers are cherished and supported. They are fed nourishing food, allowed to rest, and given lots of support and pampering .

Host: Is it really different from our usual post partum traditions? Oh but before anything else, Pehpot requested for this one, let’s give a big round of applause to Yvone Elliman, er, Seiko!

Host: Oh that was so lovely.. just how pehpot described it.. I feel like I was transported to the era of Rice and Webber. Now that makes me wanna rock and do the Judas song. Did you know Miss Seiko that it was one of Pehpot’s favorite song? And that until now, she enjoys watching the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (where I don’t know how to love him came from)…

Seiko: She mentioned it to me before, and I am not expecting she will use it here.. it’s an honor Marce!

Host: You really are very talented Miss Seiko. Back to our topic.. so what are post partum traditions that you can share with us?

Seiko: Here in Japan it is common practice to save the umbilical cord in a wooden box.They would give us the umbilical chord in a wooden box as a present,including the first photo of the baby after giving birth.

Host: Just like in our country where in the umbilical cord is saved and preserved, although not in a wooden box but it is also treated like a treasure. How about the new mom? Is she allowed to take a bath? I heard Pehpot has not taken a bath since she gave birth.

Seiko: Really? Well, here in Japan the mother is not to wash her hair for 1 week because it is not good to flex her neck.But this belief had been changed in year 2001 after I gave birth to my youngest Yuriko.I was allowed to take a bath after the first 3 days of delivery.I was told that I should take a bath before I start to breast feed the baby.

The new mom usually goes to her parents home for about 20-30 days. The grandmother will perform all household duties, because the new mom is not allowed to touch water for washing dishes or doing laundry. She is also not allowed to drive anywhere. After that time period, the postpartum mom returns home to her husband with their baby.

Host: I can see that even though Japan and our country have different cultures, both country really give importance to the health and being of the new mother.

Seiko: Another tradition here is a ceremony called “omiya maeiri“. Between 30 and 32 days, the family will then return to the shrine to pray, pay respect, and to offer thanks for a safe delivery and healthy child.

The babies are frequently named after their grandparents too. But mine wasn’t

An ideal family would be made up of a married couple with 2 children. If a couple were to have 3 or more children, they are thought to be wealthy.But we’re not that wealthy.

Host: Can I say that I admire you already? Just being here with you and learning about the traditions you went through (and reading through your story), I am amazed at how strong you and determined you are. You have such a strong personality and Pehpot is lucky to have as Marce (pehpot: I know.. I know.. I am proud)

Thanks Miss Seiko for the wonderful here and thanks for all the sushis you made for us. I am pretty sure our next guest will enjoy this as much as we did.

See You again this Wednesday for another episode of BLOGGING TODAY