Baby Blues or Something more? Understanding Postpartum Depression

I think many of us are quite familiar now with the term “baby blues”, a short time, usually in the first week after childbirth, when many women feel really low and emotional. 
This happens because we have sudden hormonal and chemical changes take place after childbirth. You might feel worried when you start to feel down and upset because you were expecting to feel in a bubble of love and happiness…

But this is completely normal and in most cases really nothing to worry about, even if it does go on for a few days. You have been through so much and this period is a real rollercoaster of emotions, so please don’t panic if you’re not feeling blissful joy! 

But how do we know when the feelings we are experiencing might be something more?

The symptoms of postpartum/postnatal depression are similar to the baby blues but can start at any point in the first year (& sometimes more) after giving birth and can seem like they develop suddenly or gradually get worse. 

When you have postnatal depression, you may feel increasingly depressed and low in ways that feel more extreme than normal down days. 

It might start to feel like looking after yourself or your baby has become too much. It might be stopping you from leading a normal life…

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression

PPD is characterised by a range of emotional and physical symptoms, including:

• persistent sadness or low mood

• irritability and mood swings

• difficulty bonding with the baby

• extreme fatigue and sleep disturbances

• changes in appetite

• feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• difficulty concentrating

• withdrawal from family and friends

Do any of these symptoms feel familiar? 

I often get postpartum mums talking to me about if what they are feeling is normal or something to worry about. This is definitely not an exhaustive list but just an illustration of some of the symptoms to be aware of in yourself or others. 

It is so important to seek help if you feel you are suffering Mama. Postpartum depression is estimated to affect around 10-15% of new mothers in the UK. However, the actual numbers may be higher as few women report their feelings, and the stigma still associated with mental health issues.

Getting support

Recognising and addressing PPD is a holistic and personal approach. Healthcare professionals, family members, and society at large must play a role in destigmatising PPD and promoting mental health awareness.

1. Seek Professional help: Talk to your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Unfortunately you may not get questioned about your mental health at your 6 week check-up or during prenatal and postnatal care. Early detection and intervention can make a significant difference so try bringing it up as soon as you can.

2. Peer support: Support groups for new mum can provide a safe space for sharing experiences and seeking guidance. It not only gets you out and about but knowing you are not alone can be so powerful. Join our support group here.

3. Talk to family: Partners, family members, and friends want to help. They might not know exactly what to do to help but having someone there that understands and supports you through this journey is important. See our tips on how to do this here.

4. Reach out to Mental health services: Therapy and counselling is your safe space to explore your feelings around PPD and get specialist support. See our list of providers here.

Remember…

You don’t have to suffer in silence. Confide in a family member or friend or contact your local GP/Perinatal team to talk about your options. And it might be worth checking out our self-help resources here.