Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression
Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression. After a mother returns home with her newborn, she goes through a period of adjustments. Physical, mental, and emotional changes are occurring while she is caring for her baby. After pregnancy, a woman may experience mood swings, “baby blues” or a more serious syndrome called postpartum depression (PPD). Knowing the difference between baby blues and PPD will help a mother and her partner to recognize the symptoms she is having and when it is time to seek help.
Feeling All the Feels
Hormones can greatly affect a woman’s mood before, during and after pregnancy. Hormone levels are fluctuating and many thoughts along with them. New mothers may expect to be in a “honeymoon” phase after giving birth to their child. And, in many ways, this is a time filled with great joy and contentment. However, mothers may experience symptoms of baby blues. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Approximately 70-80% of all new mothers experience some negative feelings or mood swings after the birth of their child.” Although the direct cause is unknown, with fluctuating hormone levels, baby blues are thought to occur due to chemical changes in the brain that lead to depression.
Symptoms of baby blues can include:
- Weepiness or crying for no apparent reason
- Impatience
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Insomnia (even when the baby is sleeping)
- Sadness
- Mood changes
- Poor concentration
Postpartum depression is a more serious mood disorder that, unlike baby blues, does not resolve on its own. According to the American Psychological Association, “Up to 1 in 7 women experience PPD.” PPD can appear, “days or even months after delivering a baby; it can last for many weeks or months if left untreated.” PPD can affect mothers of any age, race, culture, economic status, and education level. First time or experienced mothers can develop symptoms as well as women who have a history of depression and those with no history.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- A loss of pleasure or interest in things you used to enjoy
- Appetite changes
- Extreme anxiety or panic attacks
- Disturbing thoughts
- Feeling guilty or worthless—blaming yourself
- Excessive irritability, anger, or agitation—mood swings
- Sadness, crying uncontrollably for very long periods of time
- Excessive fear of not being a good mother
- Fear of being left alone with the baby
- Inability to sleep, sleeping too much, difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Disinterest in the baby, family, and friends
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby (see below for numbers to call to get immediate help)
Many women feel concerned that they will be considered bad mothers or that their child will be taken away from them if they are honest about how they are feeling; however, the goal of the physician is to remove the risk of harm to the mother and the infant. Sometimes therapy, such as talking with a counselor, or prescription medication, are necessary. For many women, treatment is short-term until hormone levels are balanced, and thoughts are stabilized. It is important to know that postpartum depression is a psychological disorder that can be treated, and the mother is not to blame for how she is feeling.
For more information on baby blues and postpartum depression risk factors and ways to alleviate symptoms, clink on the links below to visit the American Pregnancy Association and American Psychological Association websites.
The Baby Blues | American Pregnancy Association
Postpartum depression (apa.org)
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, take action now:
Put the baby in a safe place, like a crib. Call a friend or family member for help if you need to.
Call a suicide hotline (free and staffed all day, every day):
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: LifeLine
1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Has hotlines for every state
1-800-PPDMOMS (1-800-773-6667)
AbbaCare is a pregnancy resource center serving women, men, and families facing unexpected pregnancies. To learn more about our free, confidential services, visit
abbacare.org.
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