The changes your body experiences in the time after you give birth can be difficult to navigate. After having a baby, many women experience the “baby blues.” The blues are a mild form of depression that usually lasts for a few days or weeks after childbirth. The symptoms of the baby blues include:
● Anxiety or irritability.
● Sadness or crying.
● Headaches.
● Tiredness.
● Feeling inadequate.

It’s important to remember that you don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed of your symptoms. The blues are often considered a normal part of early motherhood.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a lot like the baby blues, but the symptoms usually last longer — months or even years longer — and are more severe. Postpartum depression is an illness, like diabetes or heart disease. It can be treated with therapy, support networks and medicines such as antidepressants. The symptoms of postpartum depression include both the symptoms of baby blues (listed above) and some or all of the following:
● Loss of interest or pleasure in life.
● Lack of concern for yourself or your baby.
● Loss of appetite.
● A hard time falling asleep or staying asleep.
● Sleeping more than usual.
● Feeling worthless, hopeless or overly guilty.
● Unexplained weight loss or gain.
● Severe mood swings.
● Having thoughts about hurting yourself.

Postpartum psychosis

Very few women develop postpartum psychosis, an even more severe form of postpartum depression. Women who have postpartum psychosis may experience the following symptoms in addition to any of the others listed above:
● Having thoughts about hurting your baby.
● Extreme confusion.
● Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that
aren’t really there).
● Delusions (fixed ideas or thoughts that are not true).
● Paranoia.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important for you to seek help right away to ensure your safety and the safety of your baby.

Why do I feel this way?

The exact cause of postpartum depression isn’t known. Hormone levels change during pregnancy and right after childbirth. Those hormone changes may produce chemical changes in the brain that play a part in causing depression.

A treatable condition

The baby blues usually go away on their own. Make sure you talk to your doctor, family or friends about your feelings, and take care of yourself.

Postpartum depression is treated much like any other depression. Support, counseling (“talk therapy”) and medicines can help. The best results often come from a combination of medication and counseling. Your doctor will help you decide which treatments are right for you.

Postpartum psychosis should be treated immediately (often in a hospital) to ensure your safety and the safety of your baby.

Coping with postpartum depression

Remember that many other women have had the same feelings that you have. Here are some things you can do that other mothers with postpartum depression have found helpful:
● Find someone to talk to and tell that person about your feelings.
● Get in touch with people who can help you with childcare, household chores and errands.
● Find time to do something for yourself, even if it’s only 15 minutes a day. Try reading, exercising, taking a bath or meditating.
● Keep a diary. Every day, write down your emotions and feelings as a way of letting it all out. Once you begin to feel better, you can go back and reread your diary — this will help you see how much better you are.
● Remember that it’s OK to feel overwhelmed. Childbirth brings many changes, and parenting is challenging.
● Find a support group in your area.
● Talk with your doctor about how you feel. He or she may offer counseling and/or medicines that can help.

Risk factors for postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is more likely if you have had any of the following:
● Previous postpartum depression.
● Depression not related to pregnancy.
● Severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
● A difficult marriage.
● Few family members or friends to talk to or depend on.
● Stressful life events during pregnancy or after childbirth.