Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Your baby is finally here! Everybody is happy because you gave birth without any complications and you were out of the delivery room safe and sound. But, why you feel so sad and worried? It seems that you’re on an emotional roll coaster ride, like most new mothers, and you’re facing a form of post-delivery depression or a lesser degree of postpartum depression to be exact, as this type of feelings is known to strike new mothers with minor symptoms ranging between mood swings, crying with no reason, lack of focus and sleeplessness, feeling sad, stressed out and irritated.

Baby blues has many causes the most important of which are: the changes that happen to a mother’s body after delivery, i.e. the fast and archaic decrease in hormone levels that were very high during pregnancy, and a mother’s feeling helpless and breaking under the strain of her responsibility to care for a new baby and meet his demands.

Usually, baby blues lasts between few days and few weeks after birth. Its signs and symptoms often go away by themselves and without any medical intervention. Yet the following methods can help you take care of yourself and get rid of your issue quickly and with least possible damages:

• Talk about the situation that you’re going through and the emotions that are tearing you apart with someone who is close to you and you trust.
• Follow a well-balanced nutritious diet that provides you with the necessary proteins and vitamins. Don’t eat lots of simple carbohydrates as they might increase your moodiness.
• Make sure you get enough rest and sleep every day.
• Be sure to do some light exercises and stimulate your body to produce endorphins that are responsible for the feelings of joy and peace of mind.
• Have yourself a personal diary where you can write your thoughts and express your feelings.
• Go out of the house for just a little bit, get some fresh air and look at the nature around. Changing atmosphere can sometimes make a difference in the mood.
• Don’t hesitate to ask your close persons’ help in preparing meals and taking care of the rest of the family members, so you can have enough time to focus on your joy of having a new baby and not thinking of the pressures associated with this happy event.
• Don’t expect things to be perfect during the first weeks after birth. Give yourself some time to recover, cope with the new tasks and organize your baby’s sleep and breastfeeding schedules.

As we have said before, now we say it again: baby blues is the lesser degree of post-delivery depression. Yet it can also be the first. In other words, when a mother’s depression lasts more than few weeks or even months, and when its symptoms get worse and develop into lack of focus, lack of sex drive, feeling of guilt or hatred or self-hate, eating and sleeping disorders, and intention to hurt oneself and the baby, it will no longer be a normal and temporary thing, and it will become a postpartum depression which is a psychological condition that requires medical treatment.

It’s to be noted that women who suffered earlier from mood disorder or depression or have a family history of psychological diseases, are the most prone to postpartum depression. The same goes for women facing marital problems and those who gave birth to sick babies or those who were not planning a pregnancy.

Generally speaking, postpartum depression doesn’t last more than 9 months after birth, but the negative feelings associated with this condition may be severe and may affect your ability to take care of yourself and your baby.

So if you doubt that you’re suffering from postpartum depression, don’t let your doubt to yourself but talk to your doctor about it. Depression doesn’t mean that you’re a bad mother that can’t cope with her new situation, but means that you’re a sick mother that needs help and treatment. Treatment shall vary according to the severity of your condition, and may range between psychological treatment, consultancy, support groups and anti-depressants.

Don’t forget that sadness and depression after birth are very natural feelings and occur to most new mothers. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about them and ask for help when you feel you’re losing control, because assistance and support will surely be, in your favor, your baby’s favor and your family’s favor on the long run.

Read More: 10 Super Foods Your Body Needs Post Delivery