First and foremost, congratulations on having a new baby! Entering parenthood has the potential to give rise to many unanticipated emotions and expectations for yourself. Some people will have feelings of excitement and/or happiness while others might experience feelings of being overwhelmed, sad, and/or anxious. You might also have a mixture of both. Generally, society presents the former as the norm and you might feel as though you are expected to just know what to do. As a result of these expectations you may be under the impression that something is “wrong” or that you are a “failure” if you have difficulty meeting society’s expectations of immediate connection and happiness. However, experts report that an estimated 80% of all new mothers will experience mood swings and/or weeping that starts a few days after following the birth of a new child. These are symptoms of what we refer to as “Baby Blues”. Symptoms of baby blues typically only last for a few weeks and do not require medical intervention nor do they interfere with your ability to care for your infant.
Symptoms of Baby Blues include:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling Overwhelmed
Crying
Reduced concentration
Appetite problems
Trouble sleeping
Now that we’ve highlighted the symptoms that are characteristic of the Baby Blues; I believe that it is equally important to highlight the symptoms that are characteristic of Postpartum Depression as well so that you might be better able to to distinguish the differences between the two. It is important to note that if you observe that your symptoms of Baby Blues does not resolve or even start to increase after a few weeks, then it may be a possibility that you are experiencing symptoms of Postpartum Depression or another perinatal mood disorder. Please know that you are not alone! Postpartum Depression affects approximately 15% of women and it even affects 10% of dads. It is also important to note that symptoms of Postpartum Depression are very much similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder although symptoms of Postpartum Depression tend to occur after pregnancy and can last up to one year postpartum. If left untreated, Postpartum Depression can potentially develop into Major Depressive Disorder.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression include:
Severe mood swings
Excessive crying
Difficulty bonding
Insomnia
Intense irritability and anger
Hopelessness
Feelings of worthlessness
Inability to concentrate
Thoughts of harming self or baby
Please remember that if you are experiencing symptoms of either of these disorders; early identification leads to early treatment and relief. Postpartum depression is temporary and treatable with professional help. However, it is important to note there is no universally defined time frame to feel better and each person is unique with different needs. If you feel that you may be suffering from Postpartum Depression, please reach out for support. A few possible treatment options include connecting with your social circle (family or friends), connecting with a therapist, joining a support group, and/or consulting with your primary care physician, OBGYN, or a psychiatrist for medication if necessary. As a new parent, it is important for you to take time to engage in self-care activities including but not limited to getting rest and recuperating, eating well, and taking breaks to prevent burnout. No one is perfect and each of us could use a helping hand at times. Never be afraid to ask for help.
At Compassionate Counseling Company, we are offering an ongoing weekly Postpartum Stress Support Group that begins virtually on Monday August 8th at 7 PM. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis in order to attend the group. Come meet and be supported by other parents with shared experiences by taking advantage of the opportunity to process the stressors and emotions that come along with having a new baby. If you are interested, sign up here.
