Do I have postpartum depression?
Most new moms experience a few days of “Baby Blues” amidst the excitement and joy of having a
newborn baby. For some moms, the struggle is deeper and lasts longer: this is called Postpartum
Depression, and it affects 1 in 7 women.60
- Baby Blues usually lasts up to two weeks after baby is born.
- If you are still struggling after baby is two weeks old, you may need to consider
Postpartum Depression (PPD). - WebMD has a helpful comparison of Baby Blues and PPD
Do I have postpartum depression?
Whattoexpect.com provides the following list of symptoms, stressing that every woman will experience a different combination of symptoms. They also have a helpful screening test to help you explore your situation.
- Crying
- Irritability
- Disrupted sleep — either not being able to sleep or wanting to sleep the day away
- Eating problems, such as no appetite or excessive hunger
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness or helplessness
- Severe anxiety
- Problems doing tasks at home or work
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Social isolation — feeling withdrawn or unconnected
- Feelings of worthlessness and of being a bad mother
- Inability to care for yourself or your baby
- Worrying excessively about your baby’s health
- Having scary or obsessive thoughts about your baby
- Having negative feelings toward or little interest in your baby
- Fear of being alone with your baby
What is the treatment for Postpartum Depression (PPD)?
- PPD can be treated with medications and/or counseling.
- Individual counseling or support groups can be very helpful.
- Medications will depend on your symptoms and may include anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications.
- Do not assume that breastfeeding rules out medication options. Ask your doctor for breastfeeding compatible treatments.
Should I call my doctor?
According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s important to call your provider as soon as possible if the symptoms of depression have any of these features:
- Don’t fade after two weeks.
- Are getting worse.
- Make it hard for you to care for your baby.
- Make it hard to complete everyday tasks.
- Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
What causes Postpartum Depression?
If you have Postpartum Depression, it’s not because you did anything wrong. There is no one cause of PPD, 61 but there may be contributing factors such as:
- Hormonal changes: there is a dramatic drop in estrogen and progesterone after giving birth.
- Lack of sleep.
- Anxiety about your new role as a parent and the many caregiving tasks you are now responsible for.
For more information about what to expect during the first few weeks of baby’s life, sign up for our Momhood or Dadhood Life Lessons program. You may also want to reach out to Postpartum Support International.