This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #TENways  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Even though I haven’t talked about him much many of you probably know that a few months ago I added a new member to my family.  Boy, how the time flies!  It seems just like yesterday we had our newborn family photos taken.

I remember that week well.  I was exhausted, so proud of my baby boy, and overwhelmingly thankful my in-laws were able to drop everything and come down to help us.  My parents were planning on staying the first week at home with us and my in-laws the second but my parents’ plans changed quickly due to unforeseen events.

During the end of their visit I was setting on the couch talking to my mother-in-law and all of a sudden I couldn’t see out of one eye.  Nothing, nada.  I saw bright colors flashing and jumping about but nothing that was really there.  After about ten minutes, my eyesight began to return and soon all I had remaining was a bright spot right in the middle of my vision.  It looked just like the spots you see after a camera’s flash.  They didn’t go away though.  Everywhere I looked they were there.  This made reading and focusing on someone’s face very difficult.

I made an appointment that day with the hospital dept. that took care of my epidural.  After a quick interview I was sent to a neurologist, which then sent me for an MRI {which was surprisingly relaxing!}, extensive tests at the eye doctor, and finally to the pharmacy.  It was a long day but such a fun day alone with my husband.  Having lunch out and leisurely walking around shops in between appointments made it feel like a date. {Which makes me think we need to hire a sitter more often!}

Come to find out everything was okay and it was just my hormones out of whack.  Along with my Rx for vision issues/headaches, I was told to drink at least one pop {soda, coke, what have you} a day.  Since I abstained from drinking soda while pregnant {because I felt I took enough risks taking my meds for hypersomnia while pregnant} I was glad to drink some again!!  It wasn’t too long though that I began to worry about all those extra calories I was consuming.

I needed caffeine but not calories.  It was then that I remembered a refreshing orange drink that I love so much!  Sunkist TEN has all of the flavor {full flavor as their ads say!} with only ten calories.  TEN!  That’s the amount calories found in a breath mint.  Sunkist TEN has something like 90% less calories than regular soda {Don’t quote me though because I’m still a bit sleep deprived.  Just trust me that it’s a lot less!}

Have you tried any of the TEN sodas?  They include 7-up TEN, Sunkist TEN {yummy!}, Canada Dry TEN & A&W TEN and are available at Walmart.  It’s a great way to have full flavor without sacrificing your dreams of a swimsuit-ready body.

We’re a Sunkist TEN family!  Corny?  Totally, but I thought it was fun!  For those wondering, my daughter doesn’t drink soda right now.  It was just a little silly photoshop work from our Mister Roger’s Halloween costume.

Want to try it?  Right now there is a coupon to save $0.50 off a purchase of TWO 2 Liter bottles or TWO 4-pack cans of 7UP TEN, A&W TEN, Canada Dry TEN, RC TEN or Sunkist TEN soda.  {However, if you were to share that digital coupon via email, FB, Twitter (there is a click to share function) you will get brought to a coupon that will get $1.50 off that purchase rather than just $0.50!}  This coupon offer is available while supplies last, from 3/27-4/17.  You can get your soda coupon here. 

Stay in touch with Dr. Pepper Snapple Group’s (DPSG) Facebook account and Twitter to keep up to date with their latest products and promotions.

Have you tried any of the TEN sodas?  If so, what do you think?  Also, did you have any random post-pregnancy hormone craziness?  I’d like to know that I’m not alone. : )

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness day. Mothers and fathers all over the country will light candles tonight in rememberance of the child they no longer hold. While there is nothing wrong with this, silence does not make the pain go away. Please say a prayer for those who have lost a child. Mothers, fathers, families, all feel the loss and all need peace in their hearts. Those who have the opportunity, hug your babies tight today and just be thankful you can! Life is such a precious gift!

Eight months after her daughter was born she started breastfeeding less as her daughter was eating more solids and she found herself in a slump.  She couldn’t shake it no matter what she did.  She said that she felt embarrassed, alone, and had all the signs of postpartum.  Another friend encouraged her to set up an appointment with her doctor.  Her doctor confirmed what she didn’t think was possible.  He said that she was experiencing postpartum depression – 8 months after giving birth.

Her doctor told her that it could even happen up to 18 months after giving birth. I’ve done a little more internet research and am finding a lot of articles that say postpartum depression can manifest itself up to two years after having your baby.
I had no idea! I thought that if I had made it through the first couple months I would be fine.  Have any of you experienced postpartum depression?  Was it delayed?

I wish there was more information out there for mothers but I really couldn’t find a lot.   Here are two helpful articles that I did find:

• Postpartum Depression Beyond the Early Postpartum Period

• The onset of postpartum depression: Implications for clinical screening in obstetrical and primary care

The last article listed said,

“Among participants, 11.5% reported prenatal onset, 22.0% late postpartum onset, and 66.5% early postpartum symptom onset. Those reporting pregnancy onset were more likely to be unmarried, and those with a late postpartum onset were less likely to report a past history of postpartum depression.”

That’s almost 25% of cases being late or delayed onset!  That’s a large percentage and I feel ashamed to say that I honestly had no idea delayed postpartum depression existed.

Postpartum depression is common and I want to encourage you that if you are experiencing symptoms to not be embarrassed about it.  Call your doctor to discuss your treatment options, no matter how much time has passed.  You now have a beautiful baby to enjoy, you don’t want to miss a moment!