Post Baby Blues, or Post-Partum Depression?
Tell Your Doctor about Ongoing Feelings of Sadness or Anxiety after Childbirth

SIOUX FALLS (June 1, 2010) - You think it should be the happiest time in your life, yet the weeks after having a new baby can be marked by mood swings, fatigue and even depression.

Up to half of women experience the "blues" during the first two weeks after giving birth, due to sleep deprivation and hormonal changes, said Dr. Danielle Berdahl, OB/gynecologist with Avera Women's. "In the first week or two after giving birth, hormone levels are changing rapidly, as estrogen and progesterone levels drop. So it's very normal for women to feel overwhelmed, cry easily or feel anxious at this time."

If they have other children at home, new moms are also juggling multiple caregiving roles, said Michelle McClintic, counselor with Avera Behavioral Health Services. "If a woman is taking time off work, there may be financial concerns. There's also an adjustment in her relationship with her husband or significant other. All these factors can contribute to stress and anxiety after having a baby."

Usually, these feelings resolve on their own in two weeks or so. But if symptoms continue, it could be a more serious condition known as post-partum depression.
About 10 to 15 percent of new mothers experience post-partum depression, yet only about half of these women tell their doctors about their symptoms.

Symptoms are similar to other types of depression including difficulty with sleep - either excessive sleep or not being able to sleep, changes in appetite, feeling down, crying easily, or not being able to find happiness in normal activities. Women who have a history of depression outside of pregnancy have a higher risk of experiencing post-partum depression. A pregnancy is a major life stressor, not only physically, but also emotionally and financially, which may set off depressive tendencies that a woman might have.

New moms with post-partum depression may also feel significant anxiety in regard to being able to take care of the baby or have difficulty bonding with their baby. Emergency symptoms include thoughts of suicide or harming the baby, although this is rare, Dr. Berdahl said.

"Post-partum depression is underreported, because moms think they should feel happy, and feel ashamed that they don't," Dr. Berdahl said. However, the condition should be treated because the depression can keep the mother from bonding with her baby, leading to problems for the child in the future. Treatment usually involves psychotherapy or "talk therapy," as well as antidepressants which increase serotonin levels. "There are antidepressants which are safe to use while breastfeeding," Dr. Berdahl added.

Women can take proactive steps to help prevent post-partum depression:

-Make sure you have a good support system. Ask for help with child care or household tasks. Pump breast milk, and let your husband or a friend or family member give the baby a bottle in order to get some extra hours of sleep. Make rest a priority and sleep when the baby sleeps.

-Take care of yourself physically. Eat right, get as much sleep as you can, and exercise moderately as you are able while recovering. However, don't worry about losing pregnancy weight during the first few weeks.

-Make plans to get out and be among other adults. "Having a baby tends to be isolating, especially in the first few weeks," McClintic said.

-Don't expect to be able to "do it all." "Especially first-time moms feel a lot of pressure to be 'supermom' and have the house 100 percent clean and do everything right," McClintic said.

-Do not "self medicate" with alcohol or mood-altering drugs, McClintic said. This can be harmful to the baby if breastfeeding, and place the infant and other children you are caring for in danger.

-Allow yourself many opportunities to hold, cuddle and comfort your baby. This will give the baby the comfort and security he needs, and foster special feelings of attachment between mom and baby.

For more information go to www.AveraWomens.org or www.AveraBehavioralHealth.org.