Post partum blues

The wait is finally over: after 40 weeks of medical appointments, nursery planning, and anticipation, your baby has finally arrived. She is perfect in your eyes, healthy and adorable. Yet over the next few weeks, your initial joy is replaced by all-consuming worries: Is she feeding enough? Why is she crying so often? Is something medically wrong with her? These worries are constant during the day and keep you up at night. You feel tense and irritable, your heart races, and you feel panicky. Your family members start to express their concern —not just about the baby, but about you. You wonder whether your anxiety is normal. Baby blues, postpartum depression, or postpartum anxiety? Chances are, you have heard about the baby blues or postpartum depression. You may have even filled out questionnaires about your mood during your postpartum doctor's visit. The baby blues are a very common reaction to decreasing hormone levels after delivery, and may leave you feeling sad, weepy, and overwhelmed. However, these symptoms are mild and only last for a couple of weeks. When the symptoms persist and become debilitating, something else could be going on. Many symptoms overlap between Similar to postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety may spike due to hormonal changes in the postpartum period. It may also increase as a response to real stressors — whether it's the health of the baby, finances, or in response to navigating new roles in your relationships. A history of Some women experi...

If you're feeling sad, exhausted, and overwhelmed in the days after you've had a baby, you may be experiencing the baby blues. Also known as the postpartum blues, these feelings are very common, affecting up to 80 percent of new moms. (Experts believe they may be caused by the flood of physical and emotional changes that accompany childbirth.) The baby blues will usually subside on their own in about two weeks, but if you're still feeling upset, angry, or worried for longer, reach out to your healthcare provider – it could be a sign of postpartum depression. What are the baby blues? The baby blues, also known as the postpartum blues, are feelings of sadness, emotional sensitivity, and weepiness that arise in the days after giving birth. They typically appear within the first two to three days postpartum and can last for up to two weeks. In those first few days with your new baby, you may feel exhausted, worried, unhappy, or trapped, and find yourself crying over things that usually wouldn't bother you. Your appetite may increase or decrease, and you may be unable to sleep. You also might be irritable, worried about being a good parent, or afraid that motherhood will never feel any different than it does right now. Rest assured: All these feelings are normal. Up to 80 percent of new moms experience these "baby blues." For the majority of new moms, postpartum blues are temporary, and begin to lift within two weeks. But 10 to 20 percent of moms will develop a more serious con...

Share on Pinterest Kemal Yildirim/Getty Images PPD is depression that can occur in the year following childbirth and usually begins around PPD may cause intense or persistent feelings of sadness, despair, or Depression and anxiety disorders are the Some people with PPD may find nursing a positive experience, while others Nursing promotes the release of oxytocin, a hormone that supports maternal bonding. It also reduces Consistently high levels of cortisol can damage physical and mental health. Learn more Learn more about dealing with postpartum depression. • • • Some people who experience PPD However, PPD may prevent some people from being able to nurse an infant or cause adverse feelings about chest or breastfeeding. • discontinue feeding early • feed an infant prematurely or inappropriately • feel unsatisfied with their method of feeding an infant • experience significant problems with feeding • experience lower levels of confidence around their feeding capabilities • begin early weaning • opt for bottle feeding Nursing an infant People can choose the most manageable option for them and talk with a healthcare professional if they are experiencing difficulties feeding or caring for their baby. Learn more Learn more about nursing. • • • If people are experiencing symptoms of PDD, talking with a healthcare professional can help. They can offer support and discuss treatment options. This includes people who are experiencing: • baby blues, which last longer than • symptoms of...

Share on Pinterest If pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster, then the tornado, often full of mood swings, crying jags, and irritability. Not only does giving birth cause your body to go through some major hormonal adjustments, but you also have a whole new human living in your house. All of that upheaval can initially lead to feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety rather than the joy and elation you were expecting. Many people experience these “ However, new parents still struggling beyond the 2-week milestone may have PPD is a form of clinical depression that begins after the birth of a baby. No one knows for sure what causes PPD, but like any other kind of depression, it’s probably several different things. The postpartum period is an especially susceptible time, during which many of the common causes of For example, the following may occur after giving birth: • You don’t get as much sleep as before. • Your body is coping with major hormone fluctuations. • You’re recovering from the physical event of giving birth, which may have included medical interventions or • You have new and challenging responsibilities. • You might be disappointed with how your labor and delivery went. • You might feel isolated, lonely, and confused. For PPD to be diagnosed, symptoms are typically present almost every day and tend to disrupt daily routines. Some of these symptoms include: • depressed mood • loss of interest in things you used to be interested in • insomnia • low self-esteem •...

Baby Blues: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment How often do women experience the “baby blues?” Approximately 70-80% of all new mothers experience some negative feelings or mood swings after the birth of their child. When do the “baby blues” occur and what are the symptoms? Often the symptoms of “baby blues” will hit forcefully within four to five days after the birth of the baby, although depending on how the birth of the baby went, they may be noticeable earlier. Symptoms of “baby blues” include: • Weepiness or crying for no apparent reason • Impatience • Irritability • Restlessness • Anxiety • • • Sadness • Mood changes • Poor concentration What causes the “baby blues?” The exact cause of the “baby blues” is unknown at this time. It is thought to be related to the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy and again after a baby is born. These hormonal changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that result in Also, the amount of adjustment that comes after the birth of a baby, along with sleep disturbance, disruption of “routine”, and emotions from the childbirth experience itself can all contribute to how a new mom feels. How long do the “baby blues” last? The symptoms of the “baby blues” normally occur for a few minutes up to a few hours each day. These symptoms should lessen and disappear within fourteen days after delivery. How can you take care of yourself? Taking care of mom is the best way to decrease the symptoms of the “baby blues.” There are several differ...

Share on Pinterest You just had a baby — congratulations! The only problem is you’re crying over diaper blowouts, snapping at your spouse, and wishing you could just jump into your car and drive somewhere — anywhere — without worrying about your next What’s up with you? Having a baby is a joyful experience, isn’t it? Yeah, not for everyone — at least, not right away. For many mothers, bringing home a new baby means stress, exhaustion, and pain, as well as coping with a serious set of raging postpartum hormones throwing all of your emotions into hyperdrive. In other words, it’s totally normal to forget why you chose to kiss your old life goodbye in favor of one filled with around-the-clock newborn care. Here’s what you need to know about the baby blues, from how they feel to how long they last. About The baby blues typically strike within a few days of giving birth, but if you had an especially tough delivery, you may notice them even sooner. Though doctors can’t pinpoint exactly what causes them, their timing tells us a lot. After birth, your body goes through extreme hormonal fluctuations to help you The other probable cause? The postpartum period is one during which parents are The symptoms can start 2 to 3 days after the baby is born. Most of the time, the baby blues go away on their own soon after birth — usually within 10 days but sometimes up to 14 days postpartum. How you experience the baby blues may be different from how your BFF or sister-in-law does, but general...