New Parent News

It Takes a Village to… Manage the Ups and Downs of Parenthood

Stephanie Sosnowski, Deputy Director, Maternal-Infant Services Network

Becoming a mom should make you feel happy, right? For most women, the birth of their baby is a joyous event, filled with excitement and wonder over the new life they’ve brought into the world. However, postpartum depression is more common than you may think.  If you have given birth recently and are feeling anxious, exhausted, depressed, or just not yourself, you may be experiencing a perinatal mood disorder.

Perinatal mood disorders can range from postpartum blues to postpartum depression to the extremely rare postpartum psychosis. 10 – 15% of women report symptoms of postpartum depression after giving birth. Without treatment, 25% of those women were still depressed one year later.

What causes postpartum blues (also known as the baby blues)? The condition is brought about by a rapid hormonal change, the physical and emotional stress of giving birth, the physical discomforts following birth, the emotional letdown after pregnancy and birth, and the added awareness and anxiety about the new responsibilities of parenthood. Fatigue and sleep deprivation also play a role. The baby blues are not considered a disorder, even though it does happen to about 80% of new mothers. It usually appears within one week after birth, and the symptoms may last up to three weeks.

Symptoms of Postpartum Blues:

• Mood instability
• Weepiness
• Crying Spells
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Lack of concentration
• Feelings of dependency

What can you do?

Try to nap when baby does, ask for help with household chores from your friends, spouse and family, and stop putting pressure on yourself to do everything. Get baby dressed and go for a walk outside, or find someone to watch baby for a little while so that you can do something for yourself.

What is Postpartum Depression (PPD)? PPD can happen anytime within the first year after birth.  The difference between PPD and the baby blues is how severe the symptoms are, how long they last, and the fact that PPD interferes with your daily functioning to a greater degree.  PPD must be treated by a professional.

Symptoms of Postpartum Depression:

• Feeling restless or irritable
• Feeling sad, hopeless, overwhelmed or crying a lot
• Having no energy or motivation
• Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed
• Trouble focusing or making decisions
• Fear of hurting the baby or yourself
• Withdrawal from friends and family

What can you do?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your family doctor or ob/gyn and tell them you may be suffering from postpartum depression.  Treatment may include talking therapy, medication for a brief time (usually compatible with breastfeeding), and/or a support groups for new moms.

About Postpartum Psychosis

The most severe perinatal mood disorder is known as postpartum psychosis, and only occurs in one or two out of every 1,000 births. It usually does not appear until six weeks or so postpartum. Symptoms include: delusional thoughts, hallucinations, hearing voices telling you to harm your baby or yourself, sleep disturbances, obsessive thoughts about the baby, and rapid mood swings from depression to extreme happiness.  If you or a family member is experiencing these symptoms, call for help NOW.

May 17 is Perinatal Mood Disorder Community Health Education Day across the Hudson Valley.  Visit www.misn-ny.org or call 1-800-453-4666 for more information about this and other important topics.

For More Information on FREE or LOW COST Health Insurance, Prenatal Care or Breastfeeding Support Call 1-800-453-4666.