Today I took day one of Postpartum Support International’s Foundations in Paternal Perinatal Mental Health training. Honestly, this training has opened my eyes to so many new considerations in perinatal mental health. Paternal mental health is equally as important as maternal mental health. Babies benefit so much from having healthy, happy parents, and parents benefit from partner support.

Today’s training also opened my eyes to how lucky I am to have my husband, Dalton. First, I want to say how much he helped me through my experience with postpartum OCD. I struggled right from the moment Caia was born for months. Dalton did everything he could to support me. When I struggled with breastfeeding, I was told we would have to feed Caia every two hours to get her weight back up. I didn’t realize that meant at night as well. Very quickly, I realized I couldn’t handle it. Dalton got up with her every time no questions asked. We didn’t even know I was struggling at the time.

As my spiral into postpartum OCD worsened, Dalton was always my rock. I started confessing to him that I was afraid of being a murderer. Not once did he ever judge me or think I was an actual danger to anyone. He honestly provided me with comic relief by making jokes about it. Looking back, I am so grateful for him with that. Dalton knew I was struggling, but he always tried to make me feel better. I don’t know why but this is making me cry writing about it. I know that I was lucky having him. Dalton kept me going in my most difficult times.

When I finally was diagnosed with postpartum OCD, Dalton supported my journey to recovery. He supported me in doing my blog and changing my career. Dalton helped me set everything up and even got me a desk and equipment for work. I love him for that because I was in a weird space in my life, and he gave me the support I needed to get better. Truly when I experienced postpartum OCD, Dalton went through it too because he saw every struggle I had.

Now that we both survived the time of postpartum OCD, we are both stronger parents. I love watching Dalton be a dad to Caia and Emmi. He comes home from work everyday and helps me with the girls. Dalton is present and always plays with them. I got to watch Dalton help the girls plant their first garden, and that was fabulous. We both get the chance to enjoy parenting together, and having that partner support means everything.