Do I Have Postpartum Depression? Here’s How To Tell
Society tells us that having a baby is one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. But what happens when reality doesn’t match up with this (unrealistic) expectation? It goes without saying that pregnancy and welcoming a new baby is hard even under the best conditions; your body and hormone levels are rapidly changing, your daily life is transformed, and your relationships may be challenged. In fact, the “baby blues,” defined as sadness, crying, or mood swings that come on within two days of giving birth, are completely normal and caused by the massive crash in pregnancy hormones following delivery. However, if feelings of sadness persist over two weeks, you might be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). PPD affects 1 in 7 new mothers and is a distinct diagnosis with slightly different symptoms than “regular” depression. The following common symptoms could indicate the presence of postpartum depression:
Mood swings.
Feeling depressed or sad most of the time.
Feeling anxious, panicked, or scared.
Feeling shame, guilt, or like you’re failing.
Feeling tired all the time.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
Having trouble bonding with your baby.
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Social and family pressures can be a contributor to developing PPD. Many of us have a picture in our head of a glowing new mother bonding with her perfect baby, and if you’re feeling sad and as if you’re not living up to expectations, it can make you feel like you’re failing. Postpartum depression does not make you a failure, a bad person, or a bad mother. PPD is a medical condition that can and does happen to anyone - over half of PPD sufferers have never experienced depression before. If you have negative thoughts about being a mom, such as feeling doubtful that you can be a good mom, pressuring yourself to be perfect, or worrying about how your life will change with a new baby, you may be at risk for developing PPD.
PPD can make it hard to care for yourself and your new baby. Welcoming a new member of your family is overwhelming to begin with, but combined with the challenges of PPD, it can feel impossible to get through the day. If you think you’re experiencing PPD, it’s important to get help right away. PPD can have lasting negative effects on yourself and your baby, and postpartum psychiatric symptoms could indicate another mental health disorder. Call your prenatal provider or the experienced counselors here at AWC today to begin treatment and get back to feeling like yourself. If you’re worried about hurting yourself or your baby, contact emergency services immediately.
References
Postpartum depression. March of Dimes. (2019, March). https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum/postpartum-depression
