News Moms Need

After the baby is born, many new moms have the “postpartum blues” or the “baby blues.” The word “blues” isn’t really correct since women with this condition are happy most of the time. But compared to how she usually feels, a new mother can be more irritable, cry more easily, feel sad and confused.

Lots of things are happening right after you have a baby. You may feel worried or overwhelmed. You have so many questions. Why is the baby crying? Is he getting enough milk? Why doesn’t he sleep more at night? Now that your baby’s here, you’re probably going through some emotional changes.  It’s common for new moms to feel very stressed.  There’s so much to do and learn. For couples, a new baby in the house also brings changes. While you’re adjusting, your partner is too.

The postpartum blues peak three to five days after delivery. They usually end by the tenth day after the baby’s birth. Although the postpartum blues are no picnic, the mother can function normally. The feeling of the “blues” usually lessens and goes away over time.

Medical experts believe that changes in your hormones after delivery cause the postpartum blues.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women do these things to help relieve the “postpartum blues”:
• Talk to your partner or a good friend about how you feel
• Get plenty of rest
• Ask your partner, friends and family for help
• Take time for yourself
• Get out of the house every day, even if it’s just for a short while
• Join a new mother’s group and share your feelings with the women you meet there

If the symptoms last for longer than two weeks or worsen, you may have postpartum depression.  This is a serious medical condition requiring treatment.

Getting the blues for a week or so after having a baby is common. The realization of new responsibilities and accompanying fears can feel overwhelming and take a while to adjust to. But postpartum depression (PPD) is different. It can be extremely sad, lonely, very grim and even dangerous. PPD is not something a woman can control and it is not a sign of being a bad mother. It’s a serious medical condition that needs treatment.

Did you or a friend suffer with PPD? Come share your experience and learn more in our next #pregnancychat on Twitter. Our guest will be Katherine Stone, the founder and editor of Postpartum Progress. She also writes a weekly column on parenting at AOL’s ParentDish, called “If Mama Ain’t Happy”. She has served as a contributing blogger for PBS’ This Emotional Life site and is guest editor on the topic of postpartum depression at BlogHer, the world’s top community for and guide to blogs by women. The time for tomorrow’s chat (Wednesday June 8th) is 1:30 PM, EST. Hope you’ll join us then.

About 1 out of every 8 women has postpartum depression after delivery. It is the most common complication among women who have just had a baby. Did you know that dad’s can experience it, too? While it’s true that she’s the one who gives birth, having a baby is a significant life changing event that can cause depression in men. New research indicates that up to ten percent of new dads experience postpartum depression, with the highest rates occurring in the three to six month range after baby arrives. These rates seem to be the highest among men who are stay at home dads and those whose partners are also experiencing postpartum depression. For more information, read our fact sheet, Postpartum Depression.

I don’t need medical treatment. I’m not depressed. There’s nothing wrong with me. I don’t need to be “fixed”. It’s just a stage we’re going through as a new family. What I do need is some time, some rest and a little understanding. I haven’t slept through the night in 424 days. I’m still nursing at night. I brush my teeth with a baby on my hip. I am preoccupied and my priorities have shifted. And, I don’t see this as a bad thing either. This is the most important role I’ve ever played. I still love my husband, but I’m distracted. It’s hard to relax and focus on him knowing that the baby might wake up any minute. It won’t always be this way. We’ll get it back.

Why do I bring this up? Read for yourself by clicking here and let me know what you think. I came across this article and I’m feeling a little defensive about the topic. I can only speak for myself, but medication? Come on. It’s only natural to abstain from sex after a baby is born. We need medicine for this? A co-worker (DGR…you’re too funny) suggested jokingly, “perhaps they should make a medication for him to reduce his urges and let his poor wife get some sleep.”  HA! What are your thoughts on this…and let’s keep it clean folks ; )

You’ve gone through nine months of anticipation, long hours of labor and delivery and now you have a beautiful little baby.  So how come you feel so sad?  This is supposed to be a really happy time, so why are you feeling so down in the dumps? You’re not alone.  Many women experience the baby blues after the birth of a child.  It usually lasts just a few days to a week.  Researchers think it may be due to the rapid shift in a mother’s hormones after birth.  Some tips for coping include napping when the baby naps, asking family members and friends to pitch in, and connecting with the other new moms you met in childbirth classes or at the hospital.

While feeling the blues for a few days is normal, depression lasts longer and is more serious.  It can include fear, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, eating, making decisions or even coping.  Feelings of worthlessness may exist.  You may not even want to pick up your baby.  If this sounds like you or someone you know, you’re not alone and there is help available to get you back on your feet. Here is a link to a great site about depression during and after pregnancy that has been of tremendous help to lots of women.  It’s an excellent place to start getting answers and the help that’s needed.