Welcome to PostpartumDads

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a common illness that impacts the entire family.  Without effective intervention the impacts on the mom, the children, and the entire family can be very damaging. However, in most cases, with proper treatment and support, a woman and her family can fully recover from PPD.  This website is intended to help dads and families by providing firsthand information and guidance through the experience of PPD.  This site also includes information and resources that can be used by professionals to assist families dealing with PPD.  We hope that you find the information on this website useful and we welcome comments and suggestions.

Dealing with Rejection

Postpartumdads has recieved several emails and phone calls that follow a very similar pattern.  Sometime, either during the pregnancy or within a few months of birth, the dad starts to feel rejected by his partner.  Here are some typical examples:

“We did not have a perfect marriage, but it was pretty good.  About mid-pregnancy she wanted to leave, then she came back.   Our baby is 6 months old now, and she wants to leave again. She says she feels numb and disconnected from me….In every other way she seems to be normal.  Is it possible, that she seems happy in everything else she is doing, but she has singled me out?” 

Bruce

“I believe my wife is suffering from a postpartum mood disorder, but refuses treatment.  I have tried to convince her to see a psychiatrist because she may need medication, but she says her issues have nothing to do with any physiological issue.  She has asked me for a separation.  I am at a loss for where to turn.”

Jerry

We have several stories from dads dealing with rejection that you can access on the sidebar.  As you will see reading through the stories, there are no easy answers for this problem. 

Contact Postpartumdads

PostpartumDads is a volunteer based outreach project affiliated with Postpartum Support International (www.postpartum.net).  If you have comments, suggestions, or questions regarding this site we would very much like to hear from you.  Please send email to info@postpartumdads.org.