Giving birth to your baby is supposed to be an exciting and invigorating experience. Yet, you feel sad, disconnected, and emotional. These emotions become guilt because you think you should be happy your newborn has arrived. Women go through various hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Their bodies are forever drastically changed. Upon giving birth, the buildup of hormones during pregnancy begins to deplete, causing different emotions to occur. These emotions can be scary and range in severity from the baby blues lasting a few days to a few weeks to severe depression, anxiety, or even psychosis that lasts for years. Regardless of the emotions' gravity, postpartum depression must be recognized early and treated to avoid serious complications. For you or a family member to observe depression, you must understand what to look out for. Let's discuss the common symptoms of depression.
Baby Blues, which are considered mild emotional symptoms only lasting a few days or weeks postpartum, can include mood swings, crying, sadness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, poor appetite, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. When symptoms become more severe and last for an extended time, it is usually considered postpartum depression. It is important to note, however, that depressive symptoms can appear up to a year postpartum. Postpartum Depression is categorized with critical depressive symptoms that impede daily life and your ability to take care of yourself and your baby. Intense sadness and crying, inability to concentrate, sleep, and eat, feelings and thoughts of self-harm to you or your baby, self-criticism that you are incapable of being a good mother, or any other intense emotion. Postpartum Depression can increase in likelihood if you have a history of depression, hormonal changes, and various emotions about becoming a new mom. Research suggests it is so common it affects 1 in 8 women.
Recognizing these intense emotions, regardless of the severity, is the key to receiving the necessary help and treatment. Every woman experiences a different postpartum journey. Doctors recognize this is a common issue among postpartum women and ensure follow-up visits post-delivery are scheduled to discuss the mother's well-being. Postpartum visits are a safe place to relay negative emotions or thoughts to your doctor. Questionaries are provided during your postpartum visit with a few simple questions regarding your emotional health. Depending on your response, your doctor will discuss further options for treatment. If you think you may be at risk for developing Postpartum Depression, you can take a few steps to optimize your mental health. Seeking guidance during and after pregnancy through therapy, medication, and support groups are some of the many options offered to women to aid in postpartum depression. Knowing you aren't alone and feeling free to openly relay your thoughts and emotions without receiving judgment is a step in the right direction. Coping with postpartum depression can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Having a solid support system through family and friends can make a significant impact on your mental health. Close family and friends should be aware of the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression to look out for and pay close attention to those post-delivery. If you are ever having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 988.
In conclusion, Postpartum Depression is a common but dangerous side effect of having a baby. Women go through many changes physically, emotionally, and mentally that can affect their mood. Recognizing the signs and symptoms and seeking guidance and help is the most important thing to gain control of your mental health again and get back to feeling like yourself.
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Authored by McKenzie Stabile, BSN, RN
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board