Spit-up On My Shoulder

Are your emotions and hormones all over the map? Many times after each of my daughter’s births I felt so overwhelmed that I didn’t know how I was going to get through the day. I remember one particularly bad day when I couldn’t pick out what clothes to wear. I had to have my husband choose because the decision was too much for me.

I also was confused at times about whether I was suffering from postpartum depression(PPD) or not. Below I’ve listed information on both the baby blues and PPD to help you determine what you are dealing with.

Baby Blues:

• Occurs in about 80% of mothers
• Usual onset within first week postpartum
• Symptoms may persist up to three weeks

Symptoms:

• Mood instability
• Weepiness
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Lack of concentration
• Feelings of dependency

Postpartum Depression and/or Anxiety:

• Occurs in 15 to 20% of mothers (may be higher due to women’s lack of reporting that they have it)
• Onset is usually gradual, but it can be rapid and begin any time in the first year

Symptoms:

• Excessive worry or anxiety
• Irritability or short temper
• Feeling overwhelmed, difficulty making decisions (like me with the clothes)
• Sad mood, feelings of guilt, phobias
• Hopelessness
• Sleep problems (often the woman cannot sleep or sleeps too much), fatigue
• Physical symptoms or complaints without apparent physical cause
• Discomfort around the baby or a lack of feeling toward the baby
• Loss of focus and concentration (may miss appointments, for example)
• Loss of interest or pleasure, decreased libido
• Changes in appetite; significant weight loss or gain

Risk factors:

• Fifty to eighty percent risk if previous postpartum depression
• Depression or anxiety during pregnancy
• Personal or family history of depression/anxiety
• Abrupt weaning from breastfeeding (please see my January 17, 2007, post for more on weaning)
• Social isolation or poor support
• History of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Mood changes while taking birth control pill or fertility medication, such as Clomid
• Thyroid dysfunction

Whatever your symptoms, you are not alone (look at the statistics above again to see how many other women are going through the same thing.) Getting the baby blues or PPD does not mean you are a bad mother or that you don’t love your child.  If you end up with PPD, it is not your fault.  It is an illness and any new mother can suffer from it.

Postpartum depression is 100% treatable, so don’t wait to seek out help. My family and I could have avoided a lot of pain if I had sought out and accepted treatment sooner.

Big hugs to anyone who is going through the baby blues or PPD. I know how traumatic it can be. I also know you can feel better. What a wonderful gift you can give your family by taking care of yourself so you can be the healthy mom you dreamed of.

See the links under Postpartum Depression in the left-hand column for more information.