Momma Care Monday's: Baby Blues vs. P.P.D ... Same? Different? What to expect. (reposted)
9:00:00 AM
Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
The Baby Blues
Sarah recalls crying uncontrollably for no apparent reason one day after the birth of her son almost five years ago. “I just felt completely overwhelmed and scared, because suddenly the life of this little being was all my responsibility. I had to feed him, make sure he got enough food, make sure that he didn’t suffocate at night or swallow something and choke, or even drop from my hands … I felt extremely restricted, imprisoned by his feeding schedule.” Looking back, Sarah believes she suffered from the baby blues, a short-lived but often distressing condition that affects between 50 and 75 percent of all new mothers within the week after the birth of their baby.
According to Depression after Delivery, a national Postpartum Depression support organization, baby blues are a biological response to a woman’s rapidly changing hormone levels after pregnancy. Yet sometimes the blues turn into postpartum depression. Learn the difference and where to find support if you’re struggling with a postpartum mood disorder.
Baby Blues 101
According to Depression after Delivery, baby blues is a biological response to a woman’s rapidly changing hormone levels after pregnancy. Symptoms include tearfulness, irritability, impatience, restlessness, and anxiety. Of course, the overwhelming responsibilities of a new baby, around the clock feedings, diaper changes, inconsolable crying, spitting up, and too many sleepless nights, aggravate this state.
My husband would call, and I would hear his voice, and I would just start to cry for no reason, recalls Stephanie, whose baby blues were gone within three weeks. She describes being on a high her first days home, but her mood quickly dampened as she began week two. “I’m not very good with change,” she confesses. “I felt weird, anxious, really tired, a little overwhelmed—just out of sorts.”
Dr. Silvia Olarté, senior attending at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, explains that women experiencing the baby blues “feel life through loudspeakers.” These exhausted moms find themselves in an emotional state they just don’t recognize. Usually the women’s hormones self-adjust within 21 days, and by then routine sets in and they find themselves feeling more and more at ease with their new situation.
In my own opinion, women of color tend to suffer in silence. There is much more of an emotional expectation to just deal with things and pretend like everything is okay, meanwhile we are experiencing inner turmoil. To make matters worse on colored mothers, there is less availability to speak to someone about it. Check out this article for more on women of color and postpartum depression:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/poojamakhijani/we-can-save-one-anothers-lives
How a postpartum doula can help
What is a postpartum doula, and should I consider hiring one?
Some people hire a private labor coach, or doula, to assist during childbirth. Similarly, there are doulas who specialize in helping families after the baby's born, easing the burdens of daily life so you can concentrate on your baby.
Postpartum doulas don't have medical degrees but rather are trained or experienced in providing care during the first days or weeks after childbirth. They'll do all sorts of things to help ease your transition to new parenthood — from caring for you and your baby and offering breastfeeding advice to cooking, babysitting, running errands, and even doing light housework.
"The doula we used got us through the first two weeks after my son was born," says Lee Madison of Northampton, Massachusetts. "My partner and I had no idea what we were doing, and she made us dinner, took care of Willie, and kept the house clean. I got to nap and catch up on sleep — and was glad I had after she left."
Maybe you don't have a willing mother or other relative ready to pitch in after you have your baby. Or maybe you'd simply prefer to use a doula's services instead of, or in addition to, a relative's help. Either way — if you can afford to hire someone — you'll find the help of a good postpartum doula invaluable. Even if your mate is eager to take over household duties while you recover, letting someone else do some of the work allows the two of you precious time with your baby and with each other.
I hope this was helpful! For more information on a postpartum doula, and women services go to Myrtleandflossie.com and click on the "Momma Care" tab. Don't forget to subscribe and share! Enjoy your Monday everyone!
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