Although postpartum depression in widely recognized among new mothers, it may be surprising to know that new fathers suffer from new baby blues, too. New research from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has revealed that 7 percent of new fathers suffer from postpartum depression.
Even more surprising, findings showed that among fathers who suffered [...]
Don’t deny what you feel: it is fine to feel angry, disappointed, guilty, or depressed. Admitting these feelings to yourself is the first step to working through them.
Talk about it!: talk about how you feel with your partner, a family member or a healthcare professional like a midwife or therapist specializing in women’s mental health.
Take [...]
Teaching mothers skills such as controlling the baby’s crying often reduces depressive symptoms during the first 2 to 4 months after delivery.
If your symptoms can’t be controlled with counseling or medicine, and you are thinking about hurting yourself or your baby, then your doctor may consider admitting you to the hospital.
Follow the recommendations of your [...]
For postpartum blues, no specific treatment may be necessary because the condition goes away by itself. If symptoms don’t go away within 2 weeks, call your doctor.
For postpartum depression, the severity of the illness will guide the health care provider in choosing treatment. Milder forms may be treated with psychological therapy. More severe forms may [...]
Call your health care provider in any of the following situations:
When you have mood swings or feel depressed for more than a few days after the birth of your baby
When you feel you are unable to cope with the daily activities in your life, including caring for your newborn or your other children
When you have [...]
Surround yourself with supportive family members and friends, and ask for their help.
Take care of yourself. Get as much rest as you can, nap when the baby naps.
Don’t spend too much time alone.
Spend quality time alone with your husband or partner.
Take a shower and get dressed every day.
Get out of the house. Do something you [...]
Symptoms usually appear any time from 24 hours to a few months after delivery.
If you have these, it is important to see a health care provider, who will look for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Sad mood, crying often
Not enjoying activities that once gave pleasure
Sleep disturbance
Weight loss
Loss of energy
Agitation or anxiety
Feelings of worthlessness or [...]
The tricky thing about it is that no specific cause of postpartum depression has been found.
Hormone imbalance is likely to play a role. Levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol fall dramatically within 48 hours after delivery. Women who go on to develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to these hormonal changes.
Risk factors
History [...]
Some 80% of women experience some mood disturbances after pregnancy. They feel upset, alone, afraid, or unloving toward their baby and, they feel guilty for having these feelings.
For most women, the symptoms are mild and go away on their own during the months after delivery. But 10 to 20% of these women develop a more [...]
