Post-Pregnancy Mood Concerns

For nine months you have dreamed of what life will be like when your baby finally arrives. Visions of the perfect birth, a sweet and sleeping newborn, and being surrounded by love and happiness have been playing through your mind. You probably have not spent much time thinking about how emotionally and physically draining the early weeks of caring for a newborn may be. So what are these alien and unwanted feelings that happen when you are finally home with your new baby? Everything is supposed to be perfect, but you suddenly feel overwhelmed and sad.

Baby Blues

What you are probably experiencing is called the “baby blues.” Baby blues are mild, temporary moodiness. As many as 85 percent of postpartum women experience some form of baby blues. Baby blues can last a few hours, several days, or as long as two weeks. Symptoms include sudden tearfulness, irritability, health anxiety, sleeplessness, impaired concentration, a feeling of isolation, and headaches. Some of these feelings can be overwhelming and may be the result of a lack of sleep combined with the sharp drop in estrogen and progesterone hormones that women experience shortly after giving birth. Baby blues usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks with support from loved ones, patience, and rest, and do not require medical intervention. Baby blues are not the same thing as postpartum depression.

Postpartum Depression

10 to 15 percent of women experience a more disabling and persistent form of depression called postpartum depression. The symptoms of postpartum depression last longer and are more severe. Postpartum depression can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. If you experience postpartum depression, you may have any of the symptoms of baby blues along with thoughts of harming yourself or the baby or thoughts of not caring about the baby at all.

There’s Nothing to be Ashamed Of

Some mothers don’t tell anyone about what they may be feeling because they are embarrassed, scared, or may feel guilty about being sad. Some mothers fear being judged as unfit to parent if they are honest about the feelings they are struggling through. Postpartum depression can affect any woman, regardless of race, income, or education. Postpartum depression occurs regardless of feeding methods and regardless of the number of children you have had. However, you should be aware that there are some risk factors that may predispose you to postpartum depression. These include a prior history of depression, relationship conflicts, or suffering miscarriage. You may also have a higher risk of postpartum depression if you are under 20 years old, abuse alcohol or drugs, face unwanted pregnancy, have financial problems, or are stressed or in mourning.

Helpful Tips

It is important that you discuss ways to treat your depression with your doctor. Your doctor should be involved in your care, but in addition to medical care, there are practical ways to improve you ability to function at home and to improve your mood.

  • Nest with your baby.
  • Rest as much as you can.
  • Ask everyone for help.
  • Try not to spend much time alone.
  • Get out of the house.
  • Eat well.
  • Practice good hygiene.

All babies deserve the chance to have a healthy mom, and you deserve the chance to enjoy life and your children. If you are feeling depressed after having a baby, don’t suffer alone. Please tell a loved one and call your doctor right away.