INFORMATION FOR HUSBANDS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS

Understanding PPD
What to Say
What NOT to Say
Things You Should Know About Her Treatment
Emergency Situations

What to Say

Her moods and emotional vulnerability will get in the way of good communication for now. Here's what you're up against:

• If you tell her you love her, she won't believe you.

• If you tell her she's a good mother, she'll think you're just saying that to make her feel better.

• If you tell her she's beautiful, she'll assume you're lying.

• If you tell her not to worry about anything, she'll think you have no idea how bad she feels.

• If you tell her you'll come home early to help her, she'll feel guilty.

• If you tell her you have to work late, she'll think you don't care.

But you can:

• Tell her you know she feels terrible.

• Tell her she will get better.

• Tell her she is doing all the right things to get better (therapy, medication, etc.).

• Tell her she can still be a good mother and feel terrible.

• Tell her it's okay to make mistakes, she doesn¹t have to do everything perfectly.

• Tell her you know how hard she's working at this right now.

• Tell her to let you know what she needs you to do to help.

• Tell her you know she's doing the best she can.

• Tell her you love her.

• Tell her your baby will be fine.