Recognizing the Signs of Postpartum Depression

Brittny’s story of birth trauma, postpartum depression, resentment, and learning to give herself grace.

When Brittny looks back on the early months after her last baby was born, she realizes now how much she missed the signs. She remembers the exhaustion, the anger, the resentment she couldn’t explain, and the way she kept hearing, “You’re fine.”

But she wasn’t fine.

After a traumatic birth experience where her concerns were dismissed and her pain minimized, Brittny spent nearly a year believing that she just needed to “push through.” It wasn’t until she found herself breaking down over small moments that she began to question whether something deeper was going on.

In soft light, she sits by the couch, embracing herself, embodying the silent struggle of postpartum depression after a traumatic birth.

“I didn’t even realize I had postpartum depression until almost a year later,” she says. “I thought I was just failing as a mom.”

That realization became the beginning of Brittny’s healing journey. As a mother of five, she had experienced plenty of chaos, but nothing had prepared her for the emotional toll of being gaslit by the very people she trusted to care for her. The lack of validation deepened her isolation, until she began speaking out.

By putting words to her pain, Brittny discovered a fierce inner advocate. She learned that self-advocacy doesn’t have to look like shouting; sometimes it’s simply refusing to silence your truth. Her story is one of courage, recognition, and the quiet rebuilding that happens when we finally say, “Something isn’t right.”

A tender moment of connection, embodying the journey of learning grace and self-advocacy in the experience of birth and parenthood.

Brittny wants her story to inspire other moms to listen to their intuition and recognize when something feels wrong, trusting that their feelings are valid and deserving of attention.

“You can be strong and still need help,” she reminds listeners. “Those two things can exist together.”

Through her vulnerability, Brittny gives others permission to stop minimizing their pain and start believing in their own resilience. Healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible. And sometimes, the first step is simply recognizing yourself again.

You can find Brittny's episode of Quiet Connection on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!

If you or someone you love is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, visit Postpartum Support International for help and resources.