"And I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues."
So sings Sir Elton John. Postpartum blues, depression, anxiety, and psychosis are real phenomenons!
Baby Blues: Approximately 40-80% of postpartum women will experience the baby blues within the first few days after birth. They typically include mild depressive symptoms such as tearfulness, sadness, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and decreased concentration, and it usually resolves within two weeks. Source: (Uptodate)
Postpartum depression: If symptoms of depression continue after two weeks, it is called postpartum depression. It is hard to diagnose because the symptoms are typical to what most new mothers experience (tiredness, low libido, etc.) and most new mothers do not like to admit to their feelings because it is against the social norm. Most mothers are expected to be overjoyed about their little one, and you are over the moon. You are also filled with a plethora of emotions. Labor is physically demanding, but you do not get a full nights rest for months (depending on your baby). Babies need to be awoken every three hours for feeds in the initial few weeks as their tummies are tiny. This is a depressing and overwhelming task, sleeping in chunks of time, when you are used to a full seven to eight hours, Postpartum depression is thought to be due to the extreme hormonal changes that take place after birth, coupled with a personal or family history of depression and other major life changing events occurring during this time. Symptoms include a mother becoming withdrawn from caring for her baby, anxious, irritable, feeling that she has failed as a mother, and even having thoughts of hurting herself or her baby. The estimated prevalence of postpartum depression is 8-15%, which means the actual percentage could be more due to underreporting. Treatment varies according to the severity of the patient's depression and whether or not she is breastfeeding. For breastfeeding women, Paxil and Zoloft have shown to be safe to use during pregnancy. Source: (Uptodate)
It is important for family, spouses, significant others, and friends to check in with new mothers to see how they are doing. Also, many pediatricians can catch postpartum blues/depression when mothers bring their infant in for their first appointment. It is important for new mothers to ask for help, admit to their feelings, and know that other women have walked in their shoes before.
After giving birth, I was exhausted. I had been induced at 3:30 a.m. and gave birth at 8:51 a.m. I did not sleep much the night before. While in the hospital, you do not get a break. Nurses, medical assistants, and doctors are constantly checking on you and your baby. The lactation consultant was in my room numerous times to help my baby with latching and feeding. They took very good care of me, but I was exhausted. This exhaustion coupled with trouble breastfeeding, numerous hospital visitors (who I was grateful for, but also needed rest), concern about my baby definitely left me feeling down. Insomnia is proven to cause depression and memory problems. It seems like the worst time to be sleep deprived is as a new parent when you need boatloads of energy. My memory was terrible during the first week, I could not keep track of the time or day. I believe this survival part is necessary for mothers. Think of the first two weeks as war, a battle that your SO, baby, and you must face together. You must keep this baby nourished and thriving. It creates an intense bond for the family. In the dark times, we can appreciate the light,
If you can survive the first two weeks, you can survive the rest of parenthood. It is a huge shift in lifestyle. You go from being able to go the bathroom whenever you want to holding it in until your baby is asleep. While you used to be able to eat dinner with your significant other and talk to them, now, you will have to take turns eating, while the other parent tends to the baby. It will be hard to go out in public at first due to your concern about breastfeeding in public or whether or not your baby will behave. However, after six weeks, you get into a groove. I realized I really don't care if someone sees a little side boob or whether someone gets offended if I breastfeed in public. Babies cry. My child has been more fussy due to her milk allergy, but it's getting better. The more and more you practice going out into public and doing normal things, the happier you will be. At some point, you should try and go out on a date with your significant other, even if you bring your sleeping (*fingers crossed*) baby!
Also, to prevent and/or help cope with postpartum depression and/or blues, instead of defaulting to prescription drugs.
Amelia at seven weeks :)
Baby Blues: Approximately 40-80% of postpartum women will experience the baby blues within the first few days after birth. They typically include mild depressive symptoms such as tearfulness, sadness, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and decreased concentration, and it usually resolves within two weeks. Source: (Uptodate)
Postpartum depression: If symptoms of depression continue after two weeks, it is called postpartum depression. It is hard to diagnose because the symptoms are typical to what most new mothers experience (tiredness, low libido, etc.) and most new mothers do not like to admit to their feelings because it is against the social norm. Most mothers are expected to be overjoyed about their little one, and you are over the moon. You are also filled with a plethora of emotions. Labor is physically demanding, but you do not get a full nights rest for months (depending on your baby). Babies need to be awoken every three hours for feeds in the initial few weeks as their tummies are tiny. This is a depressing and overwhelming task, sleeping in chunks of time, when you are used to a full seven to eight hours, Postpartum depression is thought to be due to the extreme hormonal changes that take place after birth, coupled with a personal or family history of depression and other major life changing events occurring during this time. Symptoms include a mother becoming withdrawn from caring for her baby, anxious, irritable, feeling that she has failed as a mother, and even having thoughts of hurting herself or her baby. The estimated prevalence of postpartum depression is 8-15%, which means the actual percentage could be more due to underreporting. Treatment varies according to the severity of the patient's depression and whether or not she is breastfeeding. For breastfeeding women, Paxil and Zoloft have shown to be safe to use during pregnancy. Source: (Uptodate)
It is important for family, spouses, significant others, and friends to check in with new mothers to see how they are doing. Also, many pediatricians can catch postpartum blues/depression when mothers bring their infant in for their first appointment. It is important for new mothers to ask for help, admit to their feelings, and know that other women have walked in their shoes before.
After giving birth, I was exhausted. I had been induced at 3:30 a.m. and gave birth at 8:51 a.m. I did not sleep much the night before. While in the hospital, you do not get a break. Nurses, medical assistants, and doctors are constantly checking on you and your baby. The lactation consultant was in my room numerous times to help my baby with latching and feeding. They took very good care of me, but I was exhausted. This exhaustion coupled with trouble breastfeeding, numerous hospital visitors (who I was grateful for, but also needed rest), concern about my baby definitely left me feeling down. Insomnia is proven to cause depression and memory problems. It seems like the worst time to be sleep deprived is as a new parent when you need boatloads of energy. My memory was terrible during the first week, I could not keep track of the time or day. I believe this survival part is necessary for mothers. Think of the first two weeks as war, a battle that your SO, baby, and you must face together. You must keep this baby nourished and thriving. It creates an intense bond for the family. In the dark times, we can appreciate the light,
If you can survive the first two weeks, you can survive the rest of parenthood. It is a huge shift in lifestyle. You go from being able to go the bathroom whenever you want to holding it in until your baby is asleep. While you used to be able to eat dinner with your significant other and talk to them, now, you will have to take turns eating, while the other parent tends to the baby. It will be hard to go out in public at first due to your concern about breastfeeding in public or whether or not your baby will behave. However, after six weeks, you get into a groove. I realized I really don't care if someone sees a little side boob or whether someone gets offended if I breastfeed in public. Babies cry. My child has been more fussy due to her milk allergy, but it's getting better. The more and more you practice going out into public and doing normal things, the happier you will be. At some point, you should try and go out on a date with your significant other, even if you bring your sleeping (*fingers crossed*) baby!
Also, to prevent and/or help cope with postpartum depression and/or blues, instead of defaulting to prescription drugs.
- Exercise: Try going outside for a walk with your baby. Get some sunshine!
- Omega-3 Fatty acids: Take a fish oil/flaxseed oil supplement or eat salmon!
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Take time for yourself each day, even if it's just a five minute shower. If you are feeling overwhelmed or you need a break, ask for help from your significant other or family.
- Have a cup of tea and read a book not on parenting or babies.
- Dance with your baby and listen to music.
- Watch one of your favorite shows.
- Eat a healthy diet full of foods that fight depression including turkey, walnuts, fish full of omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, low fat dairy, turmeric, and dark chocolate.
- Sleep while the baby sleeps.
- You are not alone.
Good job explaining this.
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