Postpartum Depression:

The big day finally arrived, and your little bundle of joy was born.  When you brought your baby home you may have had flowers and dinner waiting for you. You may have even received baby gifts and good wishes from family and friends who offered to help out with chores and make meals.  Then suddenly, no more words of congratulations, no more help with housework or meals.  Now it seems (though your baby is barely a week old) that everyone, including your partner, has decided that you can now manage all these responsibilities yourself.  A few days must be thought of as enough time to adjust.  Now you are expected to emerge as a superwoman more capable of doing everything than ever before.

Common scenario: Yes (although many women are not as fortunate to have received as much support during the first week as the woman above).

Unfortunate conclusion: Definitely!

Given the fact that it took 9 months to create your precious child, it only seems logical that it may take longer than a few days or weeks to fully adjust to your life with a new baby. It is important for new mothers to be aware than feelings of sadness or “blues” are not uncommon after giving birth. It can help many women just to know that they are not alone and that help is available.

How may women experience postpartum depression?

Approximately 50-90% of women experience mild pregnancy blues following the birth of their baby.  These emotions may include sadness, feelings of being overwhelmed, anxiety, depression or irritability.  Symptoms associated with postpartum blues may be loss of appetite, wanting to sleep much more (or less) than usual (although sleeping more after delivery is also normal as your body is trying to recover from the physical demands of labor), excessive worry (often about baby), bouts of unexplained crying, and feeling helpless or hopeless.  Usually these feelings are mild in nature, and do not cause any impairment in ability to function or care for yourself or your baby. These symptoms are usually short-term in duration, lasting anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks.

In contrast, true postpartum depression affects about 10%-25% of new mothers (and about 10-20% in subsequent pregnancies.)  More serious in nature, it describes moderate to severe depression that does interfere with a woman’s ability to cope and care for her baby.  It usually begins during the first six weeks and can last for several months or more.  In rare cases, hospitalization is recommended to provide the intense treatment needed and to prevent the mother from being harmful to herself or her baby..

What causes postpartum depression?

I am experiencing postpartum blues.  What can I do?

The first thing to do is to remember that the majority of women experience some degree of postpartum blues after delivery.  In other words:  You are not alone.  Ironically, one thing that does contribute to a woman’s feelings of depression is the sense that she is “alone” or “abandoned”.  There is an overwhelming amount of unfamiliar territory ahead for new mothers and surprisingly very little follow-up support is being offered.  The feelings of isolation can make postpartum blues more difficult to manage.

The fact that postpartum blues is relatively common does not make its presence any less serious.  Recognizing you are feeling this way is the first step in feeling better. It may be a good idea to meet with a trained counselor or psychologist in order to talk over some of the feelings you are experiencing.  Your local hospital should be able to provide you with some good referrals.

Ideas for dealing with postpartum blues:

Shower and get dressed.  Even if you do nothing else for yourself that day (we all know the many feedings and diaper changes for baby will keep you busy) you will feel better taking some time to get cleaned up.  You may be disappointed that your old jeans don’t fit yet, but be realistic.  Losing weight after baby will take time.  Showering and dressing comfortable will help you feel more in control and more like our former self.

 Get some fresh air.  Spending 24 hours a day in a house can be hard on any new mom, especially if you’re usually “on-the-go”. If the weather is nice, try out your new stroller and take a walk around the block.  The outdoors tends to have a way of clearing our minds.  Exercise, which naturally helps to alleviate depression, also increases energy and heightens feelings of well-being.  If you can, go out for short walks several times a day.  Bad weather?  Try the mall (many even have mall walking clubs you can join for free) or a health club or YMCA (some have mommy and me “stroller classes” where your baby can exercise right along with you!) Make sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.

Exercise.  Physical activity of any kind burns calories, helping to shed those post- pregnancy pounds.  It also helps to alleviate depression, increase energy and generally makes us feel better about ourselves.  The doctor often gives her OK for exercise about 6 weeks postpartum, sometimes even sooner.  Regular walking may be allowed as soon as a day after birth.  Every woman is different so check with your doctor to find out what’s safe for you.

Join a playgroup.  This is a great way to meet other moms and dads with kids. You can find more information about playgroups in our section:  playgroup information. If you are interested in finding a playgroup in your area our playgroup locator can help.

Reach out for social support.  Feeling lonely or isolated?  Talk about it.  Keeping it inside only makes matters worse.  Talk to your partner, friends, relatives, other new mothers, or seek professional assistance from a licensed counselor or psychologist.

Take it easy! Don’t expect that you can always take care of the baby, keep the house perfectly clean and have dinner on the table. Prioritize.  Be realistic in what you can do and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Contact the hospital where you gave birth.  More and more hospitals are implementing programs to help new moms make the transition to motherhood.  Social groups, support groups, and post-natal exercise classes (with baby) are among the types of services offered. If your hospital does not yet provide these resources, ask them to refer you to a location that does.

Take time for yourself.  Even if you are nursing, an hour or two with your partner and away from your baby can be rejuvenating. A quiet dinner or good movie may help lift your spirits and provide that needed time for yourself.

Final thoughts: Remember, in most cases postpartum blues or depression are short-lived in nature and can be helped by following the guidelines listed above. Seek help immediately if you experience the following: depression lasting longer than one week or getting worse, feelings of hopelessness, sadness, etc. that are making it more difficult for you to function, inability to eat or sleep, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or any other unusual thoughts or hallucinations.  Call your doctor right away.  Your family is depending on you to take care of yourself.  Your doctor will provide you with the necessary resources to help you through this difficult time.