The baby blues is a cute term for a serious problem, postpartum depression. It makes little difference if a woman has had her first child or her forth, the days and weeks following the birth can be overwhelming. Many women go through periods of rapid mood swings; they can range from brief baby blues to longer lasting, deeper depression. Postpartum depression help should be sought if this goes on very long.
Many people, especially fathers, may not realize that the feeling of sadness accompanied by depression is very prevalent after the birth of a child. New mothers must realize these feelings themselves and reach out for postpartum depression help from family, friends and the medical profession.
What are the baby blues?
It is thought that 80% of women experience the baby blues. They are feelings of sadness and ups and downs that begin shortly after childbirth. A woman may feel happy and excited one minute and break down in tears the next minute. There will be times when she feels irritable, tired, moody, sad and unhappy. These emotions usually last a few days, but can go on for several weeks as well.
Why does it happen?
These emotional swings are thought to be caused by the body hormones shifting back from pregnancy to post pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s estrogen and progesterone levels rise and then drop very quickly once the child is born. This affects moods. As the hormone level gets back to harmony with the woman’s state, baby blues usually resolve themselves.
What to do:
Exhaustion, sleep deprivation and stress can all reinforce the feelings of sadness and depression. The mother must get adequate rest, nutrition and support during this time. New moms should accept help in the first couple of weeks of bringing the baby home. Let your friends and family look after the mundane chores of shopping, errands, food preparation and household chores. Let someone else mind the new baby while you take a long bath or a nap.
Rest is genuinely important in fighting the baby blues as is eating highly nutritious food. Talking to other new mothers can help as well by reminding you that you are far from being alone. Don’t try to hold back tears if you feel the need to cry, don’t dwell on sad thoughts and the baby blues will quickly pass.
What if they don’t pass?
When the baby blues are still with you after a couple of weeks, talk with your doctor, you may be suffering and need postpartum depression help. About 10% of new mothers suffer from postpartum depression; it is true clinical depression, the woman my feel worthless, hopeless, all alone and in despair. Many women are reluctant to admit to this, but it is reality and professional care is in order.
Postpartum depression help is available at Cedar Hills Hospital in Beaverton, OR. The professional therapists can help a woman work her way through the issues that bother her and get her back to her normal self.
