Having a baby brings big changes to a new mom's life. During pregnancy, hormone levels fluctuate, affecting moods. Most new moms feel emotional and a little overwhelmed after childbirth. It's not just that they see their newborn child for the first time, pregnancy and giving birth can be exhausting.
Things don't get any easier for new parents after their baby's birth. When they bring the newborn home, issues with the baby waking up at night may leave a new mom or new father sleep-deprived. And it's not just trouble sleeping that takes a toll on new parents. A new baby means a new routine, lifestyle changes, extra financial pressures, and much more. So a new mother may well feel sad or experience anxiety and other emotional issues.
But when do these natural feelings after giving birth amount to baby blues or postpartum depression? And what's the difference between the two conditions?
Postpartum Depression Vs. Baby Blues
Postpartum depression and baby blues are conditions that can affect new mothers after they've given birth. While they have some similarities, postpartum depression and baby blues are distinct conditions with different causes and symptoms. It is important for new mothers to be aware of the differences between postpartum depression symptoms and baby blues, as well as the treatment options available.
What are Baby Blues?
"The baby blues" is a common, short-term condition that affects many new mothers. Baby blues usually begins within the first few days after childbirth and typically resolves within a week or two.
What Are the Symptoms of Baby Blues?
Symptoms of baby blues may include mood swings, crying, irritability, and anxiety. A new mom can find that her mood quickly changes, feeling happy one minute and sad the next. She may not feel like eating or be too tired to take care of herself. At times, the baby blues can make people feel overwhelmed.
However, these symptoms are typically mild and do not interfere with a mother's ability to care for herself or her baby.
If you experience any of the following baby blues symptoms, be sure to seek emotional support:
- Anxiety
- Appetite changes
- Crying
- Difficulties concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Problems with daily tasks
- Stress
- Sadness
What Causes Baby Blues?
Baby blues are thought to be caused by the hormonal changes that occur after childbirth, as well as the physical and emotional strain of childbirth and the responsibilities of caring for a new baby. While baby blues are not as severe as postpartum depression, it is still important for new mothers experiencing these symptoms to seek support from their partners, family members, and friends.
Treatment for Baby Blues
In most cases, baby blues resolve on their own without treatment. However, it is vital that new mothers look out for the signs of postpartum depression, as baby blues can sometimes progress into postpartum depression if left untreated.
It is important for new mothers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of both postpartum depression and baby blues, mood disorders that affect women's health, and to seek help if needed.
Postpartum depression is a serious condition and will require treatment, while baby blues are a common and usually short-term condition that can be managed with support from loved ones. If you are a new mother experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression or baby blues, don't hesitate to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious mood disorder and a form of major depression. It can occur in the weeks or months following childbirth and is more severe and long-lasting than baby blues. It can interfere with a mother's ability to care for herself and her baby.
Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Symptoms of postpartum depression may include persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, difficulty bonding with the baby, lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, postpartum depression may also cause thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
This mood disorder may be mistaken for the more common baby blues at its onset. There are many symptoms indicative of postpartum depression that are also experienced during baby blues. These shared symptoms include feelings of sadness, tearfulness and crying, mood swings, irritability, and insomnia.
The key difference is that these symptoms are far more severe with postpartum depression and last longer.
The following symptoms are signs of postpartum depression:
- Intense anxiety, possibly leading to panic attacks
- Withdrawing from partner
- An inability to bond with the baby
- Problems sleeping even when the baby is asleep
- An inability to care for the child
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- A preoccupation with death
- Suicidal thoughts
- Thoughts of harming the baby
What Causes Postpartum Depression?
There are several potential causes of postpartum depression, including hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, the physical and emotional strain of childbirth, and the responsibilities of caring for a new baby. Women with a medical history of anxiety or depression or who are experiencing stress or lack of support from their partner or family may be at increased risk of developing this mood disorder.
The thyroid gland can play a role in postnatal mood disorders. A condition called postpartum thyroiditis can make your thyroid overactive. This is known as hyperthyroidism. An overactive thyroid sends too many hormones into the bloodstream. As the condition progresses, it eventually leads to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).
Treatment for Postpartum Depression
Treatment for postpartum depression can include medications, therapy, support groups, or a combination of approaches. It is important for mothers feelin this way to seek treatment as soon as possible, as the condition can have long-term consequences for women's health and a baby's development if left untreated.
How Many Women Experience Postpartum Depression?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a variety of depressive illnesses affect women in the USA. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) indicates that about 1 in 8 women who've recently given birth experience postpartum depression symptoms.
Postpartum Depression in Men
New fathers can be at risk of postpartum depression, too. The same feelings of tiredness, sorrow, and anxiety can leave a new dad overwhelmed. In addition to feeling depressed, he may feel angry or become nervous at the thought of taking care of the baby.
Younger fathers and men who have previously experienced depression are most at risk of experiencing paternal postpartum depression. Relationship or financial problems are additional risk factors.
As paternal postpartum depression has a negative impact on a man's partner and child, it's important that a man concerned he is experiencing these symptoms gets medical help.
What is Postpartum Psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is an uncommon but serious mental health condition that can occur in the weeks or months following childbirth. It is a form of psychosis, which is a severe mental illness characterized by the loss of contact with reality and requires the prompt attention of a healthcare professional skilled in reproductive psychiatry. Postpartum psychosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Postpartum Psychosis Symptoms
Symptoms of postpartum psychosis may include delusions and false beliefs, audible or visual hallucinations, and uncharacteristic behaviors like pacing or agitated movements. Women with baby postpartum psychosis may also experience rapid mood swings, sleep disturbances, and difficulties with daily activities such as eating and bathing.
Postpartum psychosis is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the physical and emotional strain of childbirth. Women with a history of mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, may be at increased risk of developing the condition.
Treatment for postpartum psychosis typically involves medications and hospitalization. It is important that women affected by this condition receive treatment as soon as possible, as it can worsen quickly and may lead to harm to the mother or baby if left untreated.
If you are a new mother experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, or if you are concerned a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Call your healthcare provider or attend the nearest emergency department urgently. With timely and appropriate treatment, it is possible to fully recover from this condition.
GIA Miami: Your Path to Postpartum Depression Recovery
Perhaps you or a loved family member are experiencing symptoms of the baby blues or postpartum depression. If so, then here at GIA Miami, you will find the support you need.
We understand how challenging it is to feel depressed after having a baby. Perhaps you feel like you've lost touch with your real self and can't understand the tumultuous emotions you've been feeling. We know that many women experiencing depression in the weeks and months after giving birth shoulder an undue burden of guilt too.
At GIA Miami, we can help you regain balance, understand your feelings, set aside negative and guilty thought patterns, and get your real self back. As a new mom, you deserve the best care, and that's exactly what we provide.
We offer medical support and a range of therapies to ensure your wellness at this important time in your and your baby's life. Whether it is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to ensure you're receiving the optimum level of support, couples therapy to address wider issues, or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to help you overcome depression, our expert team is here to help you.
Get in touch with us today to discover more about our flexible and affordable approach to postpartum therapeutic care.
