Baby blues and postnatal depression

What is the difference between Baby Blues and postpartum depression? Can sleep-breathing problems cause postpartum depression? When is maternal Blues turn to postpartum depression? How bad does it get with postpartum depression?

While the baby blues comes and goes pretty quickly, postnatal depression may not be apparent straight away and gets progressively worse.

So it goes on for more than a couple of days, you can’t be reassured and have started to feel very anxious, in particular about the welfare of the baby ,’ you need to seek help. But, what if the normal blues don’t disappear after two weeks following delivery, or what if the feelings become more intense? Learn more about how to prevent the baby blues here. If you have symptoms of postpartum depression or if the baby blues don’t ease up after weeks, get in touch with your doctor right away. Don’t wait for your 6-week checkup.

You may struggle with mood swings , insomnia , irritability and find yourself regularly bursting into tears. It is normal to feel overwhelmed during those first few weeks of becoming a parent.

Your newborn is handed to you, and then before you know it you are discharged home, on your own, and you have to learn as you go! Many women may mistakenly believe that they are experiencing postnatal depression when, in fact, they have something that is commonly referred to as ‘baby blues’. Baby blues is thought to occur because of the massive change in hormone levels following childbirth. Conversely, some women may believe they have baby blues when they are experiencing postnatal depression. This can lead to them believing that what they are experiencing is normal and this stops them from seeking treatment.

However, if dark feelings of hopelessness linger longer, you may be experiencing perinatal depression. According to Dr Lavinia Lumu, a specialist psychiatrist at Akeso Clinic in Randburg, the prevalence of perinatal depression ( pre- and post-childbirth ) is as high as around in South Africa, while postnatal depression sits at around 34. Baby blues and postnatal depression , including symptoms and treatment of postnatal depression , plus puerperal psychosis and postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder. The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety.

But it can also result in something you might not expect — depression. Most new moms experience postpartum baby blues after childbirth , which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Many new parents experience postnatal depression after having a baby and it affects more than one in every women within a year of giving birth. The big difference between the ‘baby blues’ and postnatal or postpartum depression (PND) is the feelings don’t go away- you suffer the symptoms most of the time and while some days you may feel ok, for the most part, you don’t.

Talk and keep talking if things feel wrong. Here is what you need to know. Postnatal depression : baby blues coping strategies While postnatal depression (PND) can make you feel overwhelmed and helpless, there are lots of small steps you can take to help yourself, as well as professionals you can turn to.

Having a baby is life changing and can often cause stress and lead to the baby blues or postnatal depression. Find out how to read the signs and get the help you need. Recognising which is which, and getting help early if things are not improving, is crucial, for the well-being of the mother as well as the baby.

Postpartum blues is a mild and short-term mood disorder that after pregnancy. It is one of the most common types of postpartum depression. Sometimes termed the “baby blues,” this condition is something that many new mothers experience.

As a new parent, you will go through periods of happiness, joy, sadness and frustration.