The birth of a baby usually brings a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. But in a few mothers, it can also bring something you might not expect — depression.

Most new mommas experience mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty in sleeping which is commonly termed as postpartum ‘baby blues’. Baby blues typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery and may last for a couple of weeks.
But some new moms experience a more severe, long-lasting depression known as postpartum depression.

👉🏻  Postpartum depression cannot be considered as a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes it’s simply a complication.

Signs and symptoms

❕  Depressed mood or severe mood swings
❕  Excessive crying
❕  Difficulty bonding with your baby
❕  Withdrawing from family and friends
❕  Loss of appetite or a tendency to eat more than usual
❕  Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
❕  Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
❕  Reduced interest in activities you used to enjoy
❕  Intense irritability and anger
❕  Fear that you’re not a good mother
❕  Hopelessness
❕  Feelings of worthlessness, shame, and guilt
❕  Diminished ability to think and concentrate
❕  Restlessness
❕  Severe anxiety and panic attacks
❕  Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
❕  Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

When to see a doctor

If you experience any symptoms of postpartum depression, call your doctor and schedule an appointment.
It’s important to seek a doctor’s help as soon as possible if the signs and symptoms of depression have any of these features:

❗  Don’t fade after two weeks
❗  Are getting worse
❗  Make it hard for you to care for your baby
❗  Make it hard to complete everyday tasks
❗  Include thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

The earlier it’s detected, the earlier it can be treated. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage this and help you bond with your baby. If you have a history of postpartum depression, your doctor may recommend antidepressant treatment or psychotherapy post-delivery.