Postpartum Blues
by Barbara Fogiel, M.D., OB/GYN, and Erica Roberts, M.D., OB/GYN
The big moment has arrived.
You get to take your bundle of joy home…but you yourself are a bundle of nerves.
And that whole “joy” thing?
Not all moms feel that way.
Some moms get the blues, some moms get depressed.
According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, a service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.womenshealth.gov, approximately 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers suffer from depression.
Below, some basic information about what might happen after bringing baby home.
Why do I feel this way?
Dr. Erica Roberts: There are hormonal fluctuations at play, but postpartum depression can be trigged by several things, including a lack of sleep. You’re tired before you even get home from the hospital because you’ve just been through a physical workout equivalent to running a marathon.
When you’re tired, you’re more easily overwhelmed. Everything has changed—you’re trying to establish a new routine, yet you can barely find time to grab a shower. You blame yourself, and next thing you know, you think you’re not a good mom.
Dr. Barbara Fogiel: Sleep deprivation is a huge factor, and so is anxiety. It’s pretty normal to worry about things like going back to work or who’s going to watch the baby, but with planning and a supportive partner you can work through those worries. But if you’re worried about being the perfect mom, wife, and employee, aiming for a happy husband, immaculate house, and perfectly-behaved child 24/7, well, those are not reasonable expectations, and will most likely lead to anxiety. Depression can follow. In fact, postpartum depression can occur months after delivery.
Do I just have the blues, or is it something more?
Dr. Fogiel: More than 85 percent of women who deliver a baby experience some sort of blues—being up and down, going from cheerful to sad and back again, crying over a sappy television commercial. Baby blues happen early on, within a few days or few weeks after delivery, but also resolve quickly, often on their own. Depression is more severe, longer-lasting, and may require medical treatment.
Dr. Roberts: Of those who get the baby blues, maybe 10 percent get postpartum depression, and less than one percent of those develop postpartum psychosis. So postpartum psychosis is rare, but women who have bipolar disorder or other mental health problems have a higher risk of developing it.
What can I do to get better?
Dr. Fogiel: Take care of yourself. Work out a schedule so you can get some sleep. Exercise helps, but don’t do it until your doctor gives you the all-clear. Then take baby steps—think about what used to make you feel happy, and do a little bit of it. That way, you will be reminded of the former you, but not feel overwhelmed trying to do it all. Read a book for 10 minutes, go for a short lunch with your friends, sit on the porch and feel the sun on your face. Get back some of your old routine.
Find a support group, even if it’s online. Counseling helps, and, in some cases, so does medication.
Dr. Roberts: Treatment with medication is sometimes necessary, and your doctor will help figure out which med is best for you and your situation. There are risks that come with untreated depression during pregnancy, namely a higher risk of developing postpartum depression after giving birth. Also, mothers with untreated postpartum depression tend to be more detached; there is less mother/infant bonding. Babies sense that and tend to be fussier.
What can my partner or support system do?
Dr. Fogiel: Know and watch for the symptoms of postpartum depression. Your partner should also reassure you this is not your fault, remind you that you will get better, and be realistic about the new demands on your body and your time.
What should I try to remember?
Dr. Roberts: That this won’t last forever. That there is help. That happy moms have healthier babies, and happy babies have healthier moms. We can get you there, but awareness and education is the first step, so talk to your doctor.
Baby Blues
- mood swings
- crying spells
- trouble sleeping
- loss of appetite
- comes on quickly and resolves within a few days or weeks on its own
Postpartum Depression
- “baby blues” symptoms, but more severe and longer lasting
- thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby
- not having any interest in the baby
- can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth
- may require treatment by a doctor
Postpartum Psychosis
- seeing things that aren’t there
- hearing voices
- rapid mood swings
- debilitating confusion
- trying to hurt yourself or the baby
- seek immediate medical help
Source: www.womenshealth.gov
Contact fogiel@hotmail.com or rbrtserica1@msn.com.
