I drank, two periods - 2.5 years and 4.5 years - after the birth of a baby and having postpartum depression.
I had postpartum depression after my first child was born but went on meds. My husband treated me like a loser (and his mother), the doctor said no more breastfeeding. My husband said our child would not be as smart because of that, that he would have a lower IQ. Well, son is in the gifted program and has earned straight-As in 2 years at middle school. He'll still say he could have been smarter because he's an ass. He's my ex for a reason.
Anyhow, I was scared to medicate with baby 2. Baby 3 was with my new husband, he would have supported me going on meds but I felt like I could handle the PPD.
The feelings of being in a tunnel and not being able to breath were unbearable.