Postpartum blues are often called the "baby blues."
The baby blues are a mild depression that women may experience after the
birth of a child.
It is very common. 40-85% of women have baby blues.
The blues usually begin 1 or 2 days after delivery. They generally are better
in 1-2 days but may last up to 3 weeks.
What are the symptoms?
Feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability
Feeling angry at yourself, your baby, your other children, or your partner
Mood swings
Crying easily
Lack of energy
Inability to sleep
Feeling overwhelmed
Negative thoughts about yourself or your children
How are the blues treated?
Remember that it is normal to feel sad and worried after a baby is born.
Get enough rest. Try to nap when your baby sleeps. Ask others to help out
so you can take a break.
Eat a healthy diet. Busy mothers sometimes find it easier to eat several
small meals a day rather than three big meals.
Exercise. Find 30 minutes a few times a week to do any physical activity
you enjoy.
Shower and dress each day.
Ask others for support. Share your feeling with others.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a more severe form of the baby blues.
It can start at any time in the first year after delivery.
What are the symptoms?
Feeling tired all the time
Feeling emotionally numb
Feeling trapped
Avoiding family and friends
Lack of concern for yourself or baby
Extreme worrying about baby
Inability to sleep
Waking early
Headaches
Loss of interest in sex
Feeling like a failure, feelings of guilt
Severe mood swings
High expectations, being demanding
Difficulty making decisions
Weight loss or weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide
Difficult remembering or concentrating
Aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
How is it treated?
Talk to your doctor if you or a friend has even a few of these symptoms.
Early treatment is best. Get help as soon as you notice symptoms.
Counseling or medication is often used.
Joining a support group may help.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a severe form of depression.
It is rare, but very serious.
It can begin days or weeks after delivery.
What are the symptoms?
Severe depression
Extreme anxiety
Having many thoughts that come quickly
Talking about a lot of things very quickly, in an unusually short amount
of time
Thoughts or fears of hurting yourself
Thoughts or fears of hurting your baby (or others)
Having extreme, uncontrollable fears
Uncontrollable mood swings and emotional reactions
How is it treated?
A woman with postpartum psychosis may not realize she has a problem.
Talk to a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms.
The goal of treatment is to keep the mother and the baby safe.
The doctor will set up a treatment plan to help the mother get better.
What causes postpartum depressions?
There does not seem to be one single cause for these depressions.
Many things can lead up to it.
Lack of sleep can make small problems seem much more difficult.
Poor diet can contribute to depression.
A new baby brings lots of changes and new responsibilities. It can become
a stressful time for a mother, especially if friends and family do not help
out.
A woman's body goes through many changes after delivery. Hormone levels,
blood pressure, the immune system, and metabolism all change.
Women may have a sense of loss after delivery because they are no longer
pregnant.
A traumatic delivery can bring on feelings of depression.
Memories of other traumatic experiences can bring on depression.
A baby with many needs can cause stress and depression.
Who can they affect?
Any mother may feel depressed.
Women who have had the baby blues are more likely to get postpartum depression.
Women with a family history of postpartum depression are more likely to
experience it.
Women with other emotional problems are more likely to experience depression.
How long do the feelings last?
The blues may go away in a few weeks with treatment.
Depression can last a long time, and get worse, if not treated.
As soon as you notice symptoms, get help. Call your doctor.
When should I call the doctor?
Call a doctor or friend immediately if you think you might hurt yourself,
your baby, or others.
Call the doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of depression.
Call the doctor if you are having a hard time adjusting to a new baby.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your own health.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your baby's health.
Quick Answers
The baby blues are a mild depression that women may experience after the
birth of a baby.
It causes feelings of sadness, anxiety, and irritability.
To treat the blues, get enough rest, eat healthy, exercise, and ask others
for support.
Postpartum depression is a more severe form of the baby blues.
Symptoms include avoiding friends and family, extreme worrying, or inability
to sleep.
Get help as soon as you notice symptoms. Counseling or medication is often
used.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe form of depression.
Symptoms include extreme anxiety and fears, thoughts of hurting yourself
or your baby, and uncontrollable mood swings.
The goal of treatment is to keep the mother and the baby safe.
There is usually not one single cause for the depression. Many things can
lead up to it, such as lack of sleep, body changes after delivery, and stress.
Any mother may feel depressed. The baby blues are normal and fairly common.
Depression can last a long time, and get worse, if not treated.
Call the doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of depression.
References
HealthSquare. Postpartum Depression. (cited 2002 April 3).
Leopold KA and Zoschnick LB. Postpartum Depression. OBGYN.net. (cited 5-20-02).
URL: http://www.obgyn.net/femalepatient/default.asp?page=leopold
MayoClinic. Postpartum Coping: The Blues and Depression. 2002 February 13
(cited 2002 April 3).
The National Women's Health Information Center. Postpartum Depression. 1998
(cited 2002 April 3).
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