When Can You Get Postpartum Depression

What’s The Difference Between Postpartum Depression And The Baby Blues

Though “postpartum depression” and “the baby blues” are sometimes used interchangeably, theyre two distinct conditions:

• The baby blues are very common, experienced by as many as an estimated 80 percent of new moms. After giving birth, women with the baby blues feel weepy, irritable, exhausted and anxious, and also have trouble sleeping. The baby blues usually begin within a few days postpartum and fade within two weeks.
• Postpartum depression symptoms are often similar to those of the baby blues which is why many women have trouble determining which one theyre experiencing. But while the baby blues last for only a short time and symptoms tend to be mild, postpartum depression symptoms can begin anytime within the first year after birth from right after birth to when you get your first period postpartum or wean your baby off breastfeeding. Postpartum depression symptoms tend to be both more pronounced and more enduring, lasting weeks, months or even a year or longer.

When To Contact A Medical Professional

• Your baby blues do not go away after 2 weeks
• Symptoms of depression get more intense
• Symptoms of depression begin at any time after delivery, even many months later
• It is hard for you to perform tasks at work or home
• You cannot care for yourself or your baby
• You have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• You develop thoughts that are not based in reality, or you start hearing or seeing things that other people don’t

Do not be afraid to seek help right away if you feel overwhelmed and are afraid that you may hurt your baby.

If you are thinking about hurting yourself or others, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 . The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.

You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.

If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.

From The Last Trimester Of Pregnancy To A Year After Giving Birth Experts Explain When Postpartum Depression Symptoms Can Start And How Long They Can Last

Three months after the birth of her first child, Shoshana Bennett went to her OB, desperate for help. “If life is going to be like this, I don’t want to be here anymore,” she told him. The year was 1983, and the medical profession’s understanding of the severe depression that affects 1 out of 7 new moms was limited. “He laughed and said, ‘All new mothers feel this way. Go do something nice for yourself and it will pass,'” she recalls.

• RELATED: Postpartum Depression Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies

Dr. Bennett’s years-long struggle with what is now known as postpartum depression prompted the special education teacher to return to school and earn a Ph.D. in psychology. She’s since helped pioneer the field of maternal mental health, publishing four books on the subject, including Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, and speaking on the topic around the world to help women cope with persistent feelings of emptiness and sadness brought on by the mood disorder.

Pregnant women who are at increased risk for developing PPDsuch as those with a history of depression, PMS or PMDDmay want to look out for the first signs and symptoms and keep in mind the average timeline for postpartum depression.

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What Is Postpartum Depression

Having a baby is a life-changing experience. Being a parent is exciting but can also be tiring and overwhelming. It’s normal to have feelings of worry or doubt, especially if you are a first-time parent. However, if your feelings include extreme sadness or loneliness, severe mood swings and frequent crying spells, you may have postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that happens after someone gives birth. Postpartum depression doesn’t just affect the birthing person. It can affect surrogates and adoptive parents, too. People experience hormonal, physical, emotional, financial and social changes after having a baby. These changes can cause symptoms of postpartum depression.

If you have postpartum depression, know that you are not alone, it’s not your fault and that help is out there. Your healthcare provider can manage your symptoms and help you feel better.

Baby Blues And Postpartum Depression: Mood Disorders And Pregnancy

Bringing a baby home can be one of the most joyful times in a womans life, but for many, the experience isnt always so rosy. Lauren Osborne, M.D, former assistant director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Women’s Reproductive Mental Health and Lindsay R. Standeven, M.D. explain what women need to know about baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

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Im Feeling Emotionally Numb After Giving Birth Is This Common

Absolutely. I think that we put a lot of pressure on people to feel like hold your baby and it’ll be love at first sight and youll be filled with joy!, and certainly lots of people feel this way when they meet their baby for the first time, but not always particularly for those who have had a traumatic birth experience, a long labour or an emergency C-section, says Dr. Stuebe. I think, its really important to acknowledge and normalize that going from an independent adult to someone’s parent is not something that happens in the blink of an eye. However, if you are feeling like you can’t see the bright parts and there arent moments of joy mixed in with the exhaustion, then that is a sign that things are not quite right. Talking to a trusted friend, birth worker, doula, midwife or doctor and just this is harder than I thought it was going to be or ‘can you help me through this? Is this common? is really, really helpful.

How Can Delayed Ppd Be Treated

The best course of action to treat delayed PPD will depend on the severity of your symptoms. But in each case, the first and most important step is to talk to someone about your feelings. If you suspect that what youre dealing with is more than just the baby blues, discuss your feelings with your partner, a trusted friend or family member, or your doctor.

If youve ever thought about harming yourself or the baby, please go to the doctor as soon as possible, since this constitutes a medical emergency. Many women delay seeking help due to feelings of shame and guilt, but delayed PPD can be treated and its not the patients fault. The duration of postpartum depression will largely depend on how soon it is diagnosed and treated.

The most common treatment for delayed PPD includes some sort of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are two of the most widely used forms of therapy to aid in the recovery of postpartum depression. These forms of therapy aim to help patients understand their emotions, understand themselves and their relationships, and regain control over their emotional state. Support groups can also be helpful, since they will allow you to come into contact with other women with their own postpartum depression stories, which will help with feelings of guilt and loneliness.

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See A Professional Before Birth

If youve already experienced depression or PPD during pregnancy or are at increased risk of developing postpartum depression for another reason, seek help from an expert before your babys arrival.

If you’re on an effective medication, don’t stop taking it without supervision from your doctor. If you become depressed during pregnancy, seek help your practitioner may recommend psychotherapy and/or medication.

Some physicians prescribe low doses of antidepressants or therapy in the last trimester of pregnancy or right after delivery to help prevent PPD. Either way, getting a handle on the issue as early as possible will make things easier after you give birth.

What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms Of Postpartum Depression

• Your baby blues dont go away after 2 weeks
• Symptoms of depression get more and more intense
• Symptoms of depression begin within 1 year of delivery and last more than 2 weeks
• It is difficult to work or get things done at home
• You cannot care for yourself or your baby
• You have thoughts about hurting yourself or your baby

Ask your partner or a loved one to call for you if necessary. Your doctor, nurse, or midwife can ask you questions to test for depression. They can also refer you to a mental health professional for help and treatment.

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What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline

SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

Men And Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Men can also experience mood disorders as a result of having a newborn. Research has found that if one parent experiences depression, the other parent is more likely to experience depression symptoms.

According to a study, 10% of men displayed signs of sadness from a partner’s first trimester of pregnancy up to six months after the baby was born. That percentage rose to 26% between three and six months following delivery.

Additionally, a study published in a different journal that examined more than 1,700 fathers of children under one-year olds discovered that depression had a negative impact on parenting. Dads with depression are more likely to beat their kids and less likely to read to them.

Some women choose not to disclose their postpartum depression symptoms. When a new mother is unhappy when she should be pleased, she could feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty. They can be concerned about being viewed as bad mothers. Any woman can experience depression throughout their pregnancy or after giving birth.

You’re not a bad mother because of it. You don’t need to endure pain with your infant. Help is available, and your doctor can assist you in determining whether depression or another factor is to blame for your postpartum depression symptoms.

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When Will Postpartum Depression End

According to ACOG, postpartum depression can occur in people up until their baby’s first birthday. There is no hard and fast rule about that one-year mark, though. Despite its name, postpartum depression is not just something that happens to parents of newborns.

Studies indicate that PPD usually resolves within 36 months.

There is evidence that postpartum depression can be a manifestation of untreated depression before pregnancy. The condition may, at times, be a mental health issue that grows more severe in the presence of hormonal fluctuations, sleep deprivation, and the stress of new parenthood.

Some breastfeeding parents experience depression after weaning their babies, which, for many, doesn’t occur until after a baby is a year old or older. A 2020 study found that 25% of parents had elevated depressive symptoms as long as three years postpartum.

How Ppd Can Affect Your Life

You already know that PPD is causing you some difficult symptoms, and unfortunately, it could also affect your relationships. This isnt your fault. Thats why its a good reason to get treatment and shorten the duration of your depression.

Asking for help is good for both you and your relationships, including those with:

• Your partner. If youve become withdrawn or isolated, your relationship with your partner could be affected. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , when a person has PPD, their partner becomes twice as likely to develop it, too.
• Your family and friends. Other loved ones may suspect that something is wrong or notice you arent acting like yourself, but they may not know how to help or communicate with you. This distance can cause increased feelings of loneliness for you.
• Your child. PPD can affect your growing relationship with your baby. Aside from affecting the way you physically care for your baby, PPD can affect the way you bond with your baby after birth. It may also cause damage to your existing relationships with older children.

Some researchers even believe that PPD may have long-term effects on a childs social and emotional development. A

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Fear Is Just Another Form Of Love

Many new mothers experience severe postpartum depression anger, and fear, sometimes to a debilitating extent. The overwhelming new job of becoming a mother with PPD can make them feel something is wrong with them. They constantly undermine themselves and believe other mothers are doing a far better job than them. If you know someone going through this phase, let them know that their fears and anger about not being a good mother are a good sign. These feelings indicate how they care for their baby, and these feelings only seem disproportionate because of the hormonal imbalance they are currently going through. None of this is their fault.

Learn About The Signs And How To Find Support

Having a new baby brings on a lot of big feelings love, joy, excitement, frustration, and nervousness to name a few. Experiencing highs and lows in the first weeks and months after birth are to be expected given the big emotional and physical changes that come with having and caring for a new little one. But for many, feelings of depression and anxiety can overshadow the celebration of welcoming your new family member. We spoke to Dr. Alison Stuebe, maternal-fetal medicine sub-specialist and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, about postpartum depression and the steps you can take to find support.

The topic of experiencing mental health challenges may be difficult for some readers. If you or a loved one is struggling with their mental health, please seek support by accessing the following resources: United for Global Mental Health and Open Counseling Suicide Hotline Database. If your country does not have a national helpline please seek professional support from a trained carer, especially before making any decisions on treatment.

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What Is Postpartum Depression An Overview Of Common Symptoms

Many mothers feel moody, exhausted, sad, or empty soon after giving birth. Known as baby blues, the condition is usually mild and settles on its own in a few days or weeks. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, goes well beyond this condition, lasting for weeks after birth. The symptoms of PPD can be severe enough to interfere with the mothers ability to function and care for herself and her baby. Most symptoms of PPD vary from one person to another and even from day to day. While these symptoms can develop any time after giving birth, most mothers start experiencing them within one to three weeks.

Postpartum depression can easily make anyone feel disconnected from their baby. Such mothers may feel they do not love their babies as they should and experience guilt because of this lack of attachment. Following are some other postpartum symptoms not to ignore at any cost:

• Feeling overwhelmed
• Experiencing headaches, body pains, or stomach problems

Are You at Risk of Postpartum Depression?

Certain factors make you more vulnerable to developing PPD than others. Known as risk factors, the presence of these circumstances does not mean you will develop this type of depression for sure, but it may increase your chances. Some of the common risk factors for PPD include the following:

What Are Ways To Cope With Postpartum Depression

It’s OK to feel overwhelmed. Parenting is full of ups and downs and having a baby isn’t easy. If you have depression, you don’t have to suffer alone. Your healthcare provider can help find a treatment that works for you.

Here are some things you can do to help cope with postpartum depression:

• Find someone to talk to â a therapist, friend, family member or someone who will listen to you and help you.
• Join a support group for new parents.
• Try to eat healthily and find time for exercise.
• Prioritize rest for yourself.
• Go out with friends or talk to them on the phone.
• Find time for self-care and doing things you enjoy, like reading or other hobbies.
• Get help with household chores or errands.

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Childbirth As A Trigger

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A traumatic birth or one that has been lived with fear leaves the mother more vulnerable to suffering later depression.

“If she has experienced a very tremendous birth, that mother cannot be super happy afterwards,” says Esther Ramírez Matos.

That was the case of Alicia and YS, when she gave birth to her first child seven years ago through a

: “I was in bed for two months recovering. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, or what it was postpartum depression. I was physically unwell, I

suddenly, I rejected the child at times, I felt guilty because I saw myself as incapable of taking care of him…”, she narrates.

Later he learned that he had suffered a depression, which lasted approximately three months.

She passed it ‘bareback’, helped by her partner, her family and her friends: “I also found help from the

and other mothers I met in the breastfeeding groups.”

Precisely,

, midwife and founder of Maternify, a pregnancy and postpartum care services company, believes that midwives are underused: “In other countries we are the main figure in pregnancy and postpartum and throughout the fertile life of a woman. Our main function is the information and identification of the symptoms of a possible depression in order to refer to the appropriate professional”.

Quintana insists: “We can identify postpartum depression