Is it Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression?

A mother’s body goes through incredible physical changes following pregnancy which includes rapidly changing hormonal levels that affect mood and energy levels. Immediately after pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels plummet dramatically, oxytocin (the bonding hormone) floods the bloodstream, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone and estrogen increase thyroid hormone levels.

Is it any wonder that moods feel all over the place as hormonal levels balance out? This is a normal period of adjustment that lasts a few days up to a couple of weeks. When we consider that during this same postpartum period mothers are also adjusting to, and caring for, their newborns or may be dealing with loss and complications.

Baby Blues

The “baby blues” will usually go away soon after starting without any treatment needed. I can’t help but add-- that perhaps if we could come up with a less patronizing name for this complicated physiological and emotional adjustment immediately following pregnancy, we could help normalize these symptoms for women. Symptoms include:

· Mood swings

· Anxiety

· Sadness and crying

· Feelings of being overwhelmed

· Trouble sleeping

· Changes in appetite

· Restlessness

· Crying for no reason

· Feelings of disappointment

If your symptoms feel more severe or you find it increasingly difficult to cope with daily tasks, you may have postpartum depression

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a moderate to severe form of depression during or following pregnancy that can affect your ability to care for yourself and your family. The symptoms of PPD are more extreme than the “baby blues”, and despite the way it is often portrayed, the symptoms encompass more than excessive crying or wanting to harm yourself or your baby. Postpartum depression can create bonding issues between a mother and baby, contribute to infant sleep and feeding problems, and cause emotional and developmental complications in children. Symptoms include:

· Depressed mood, sadness, and hopelessness

· Uncontrolled crying

· Over-attentiveness or lack of interest in the baby

· Appetite changes

· Sleep disturbances

· Feelings of shame and guilt

· Resentment and extreme mood swings

· Feelings of isolation and withdrawal from others

· Lack of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy

· Anger or irritability

· Possible thoughts of fear of harming yourself or your baby

Due to the range of symptoms, only a healthcare provider can diagnose postpartum depression.

Did you know that women of color are more likely to experience postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders yet are less likely to get treatment? The good news is that postpartum depression is temporary and treatable. If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you can get help and start to feel like yourself again.

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