It starts with me

Start with Me

Women’s health

Postpartum Depression - (Your Dirty little secret)

I remember visiting a work colleague after she gave birth, with a few other women from the office. I remember walking in and thinking to myself, oh dear, she looked a mess and the house wasn’t in the best state. Our visit was short and we rushed back to the office. She was the talk of the office for a good month. She was labeled lazy, unable to care for her child, unable to sustain a marriage, since the husband was always out (coming from a small city, everyone knew everybody’s business). She was graded and labeled and things only got worse with time until the man left her and she went back to her parents. She lost herself completely to the darkness of her own world until she was clinically diagnosed with mental issues. Educated, university graduate, happy bride, booming career, healthy pregnancy, healthy baby to insanity.

Spring forward, I am in a developed country and I see the mind set of many women is the same. Postpartum depression is a “dirty little secret” a woman must suffer alone, if not, face the consequences of being labeled or rejected by your community. I have had three children in North America and during my regular visits, NEVER did my doctors speak to me about this. Most hospitals and birthing centers don’t really carry much info on it if at all. It’s a conversation even the medically trained, don’t want to have. Yet many women suffer from it globally.

“In most cases, women themselves are the worst critiques”

“It’s associated with weakness”

The “It Starts with me” Campaign - Demystifying Postpartum Depression

• -Literature been readily available in maternity wards, birthing centers and waiting rooms, included in packages offered by hospitals and doctors


• -Talking to caregivers and educating them and creating awareness.


• -Doctors and midwives talking to their clients.

\"Though I never had any of my children in Zimbabwe, most women would say their delivery was traumatic. Midwives would scream at you or some would be physical, if your pushing was not to their standards, it felt like boot camp and not a delivery.\"

This issue concerns us, as women we need to educate one another, create a more conducive environment where the journey to motherhood is joyful. It starts with us, from girl to woman, to motherhood to grandmother.