Mood Changes After Childbirth
Becoming a mom is a completely life-altering experience. From conception through pregnancy and birth, there is a lot to take in, especially for a first-time mother. After having a baby, many women experience mood swings brought on by the challenges of life with a newborn, lack of sleep, new responsibilities, or even breast pain when nursing.
These challenges can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. One minute can feel happy, the next can bring tears. Some women also feel depressed, have trouble concentrating, feel irritable or overwhelmed, or lose their appetite. Most of these symptoms fall under what's known as baby blues or postpartum depression.
Knowing the Difference
Baby blues are considered a normal part of early motherhood and usually go away within 10 days after delivery. When symptoms are worse or last longer, they may be diagnosed as postpartum depression. That diagnosis is based not only on the length of time between delivery and onset, but also on the severity of the depression.
Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen after giving birth. It involves a rapid drop in hormones after delivery, estrogen and progesterone increase tenfold during pregnancy, then drop sharply after birth, returning to pre-pregnancy levels by about three days postpartum. The exact link between this hormone drop and depression is still not fully understood.
Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness, sometimes it's simply a complication of giving birth. It's considered an illness, like diabetes or heart disease, and can be treated with therapy, support networks, and medications such as antidepressants.
Who Is More at Risk
Some women are more at risk for postpartum depression if they experience a personal or family history of depression or other mental illness (the largest overall risk factor), lack of support from family and friends, anxiety or negative feelings about the pregnancy, problems with a previous pregnancy or birth, marriage or money problems, pregnancy at a young age, substance use disorders, family violence, chronic illness, or severe premenstrual syndrome.
Getting Help and Support
There are effective treatments for postpartum depression, most often including talk therapy, sometimes combined with antidepressant medication and supportive community resources. Many women don't seek treatment despite its effectiveness because they're reluctant to talk about how they feel, and some are hesitant about antidepressants out of concern for their baby's health. But postpartum depression is a medical condition that requires attention and treatment, and any concerns should be discussed carefully with a doctor.
Screening for depression once during pregnancy and again at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after pregnancy should be a routine part of a mother's and baby's health care. Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers are familiar with the types of depression new and expectant mothers face, know how to help, and can explain treatment options.
Warning Signs and Where to Turn
Call your doctor as soon as possible if signs and symptoms of depression don't fade after two weeks, are getting worse, make it hard to care for your baby or complete everyday tasks, or include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. If you have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek help immediately from your partner, loved ones, or your primary care provider.
Any woman may become depressed during pregnancy or after having a baby, it doesn't mean you are a bad or "not together" mom. Getting treatment and support helps you care for your baby, and there is help available. If you're feeling depressed during pregnancy or after having a baby, don't suffer alone, tell a loved one and call your doctor right away. You can also reach out to our women's health PT champion, Dr. Monica Saliu, PT, DPT.