A new baby is born and the room can glow with excitement and warmth. A beautiful baby to hold and love, a growing family, a new life. If you’re lucky and have family nearby, they may join in the celebration and offer help. For some mom’s it may not look this way. A new baby may bring on some strong feelings that you didn’t see coming. You might not feel like celebrating, you might not even feel like you can care for your baby.
Postpartum depression has been dubbed the most common side effect of childbirth. Still, it often goes unspoken and unrecognized. Approximately 1 in 7 new mothers suffer from some form of Postpartum Depression (PPD). This number is most likely higher but goes unreported because of the stigma around PPD. PPD is not the same as “baby blues” which are mood changes in the first two weeks after giving birth. Baby blues effects about 80% of new mothers and usually resolves on its own. However, the CDC reports that 1 in 4 women with baby blues go on to develop PPD.
Symptoms of Postpartum Depression as defined by the CDC include
· Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed
· Crying more often than usual
· Worrying or feeling overly anxious (this is a big one that moms often dismiss as PPD!)
· Oversleeping or being unable to sleep when your baby is asleep
· Trouble making decisions and concentrating
· Frequent feelings of anger and rage
· Losing interest in activities you enjoy
· Physical aches and pain
· Eating too little or too much
· Avoiding friends and family
· Persistently doubting your ability to care for your baby
· Thinking about harming yourself and your baby
I have so much to say about these symptoms, but this is not the time or place. If you or someone you know are having these symptoms please encourage them to get help. Women can find help through counselors trained in perinatal mental health or their OBGYN. Open up the lines of communication with the moms in your life and make it safe to talk about. Even better than that, make it something that we want to talk about. Being a mom is hard work, we all know that, why can’t we give moms the support they need and deserve? It is important to understand that PPD is biological this does not signify not being a good mom. In fact, you’re a great mom, and you’re doing an amazing job that isn’t at all easy!