Many new mothers are thrown into the realms of motherhood with no idea about how hard those first few weeks with a newborn will be. Joyous feelings about entering into parenthood can often turn into frustration and tears as one struggles to learn the cues of their newborn and figure out what to do. While some mothers continue to battle depression symptoms, many are just going through a bout of the “baby blues.”
Baby Blues
More often than not, many new mothers experience some sort of depression symptoms during the first week after having a baby. Besides breaking down into tears at any time, this may take the form of:
- loss of appetite
- lack of concentration
- exhaustion
- having trouble sleeping
- being irritable or nervous
- being worried about being a mother
These symptoms usually begin to occur around three or four days following the entry of the child into the world. In some women they last just a few days, but often they are gone by day 10. This is known as the “baby blues.”
Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression, also known as postpartum depression, occurs in mothers following the birth of a child when depression symptoms are more severe and last for longer than a few days. This may occur at any time following the birth of a child, and may not be evident for several months.
The baby blues are often confused with postnatal depression because both conditions have common symptoms; however, postnatal depression symptoms also include more severe depression symptoms such as:
- feeling very down
- a reduced interest in activities
- feelings of being unable to cope
- feeling worthless or low self-esteem
- feeling helpless or hopeless
- not enjoying caring for your baby
- negative thoughts, including suicidal thoughts
- having distressing thoughts of harming your baby
Risk for Developing Postnatal Depression
The risk of getting postnatal depression increases with the following:
- previous postnatal depression
- previous depression in general
- lack of support following child birth
- troubled relationship with father of child
- other stressful events during or after pregnancy
Treatment for Baby Blues Versus Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression can last for weeks or up to months. The condition is therefore treated with therapy such as counselling, support networks and medication. However, for a large proportion of women experiencing the baby blues, symptoms of depression that surface following the birth of a child will simply resolve themselves. As such, the best treatment for those experiencing the baby blues is support from family and friends, rest, and time.
For many women, it is difficult to know what the feelings they are experiencing may actually be. If depression symptoms do not resolve and/or are severe, experts advise that treatment is sought from a doctor.
Sources:
Beyondblue: What is Postnatal Depression?, viewed 29 September 2009
Babycentre: The Baby Blues, viewed 29 September 2009
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