Due to hormonal changes after childbirth, women often experience a dip in mood a few days after giving birth. This has typically been described as the ‘baby blues’ and is usually fairly short – lived. However, for some women, the symptoms can develop further; they sometimes start later and remain more persistent. This may develop into post-natal depression (also known as PND or ‘postpartum depression’). This is much more serious than baby blues, which is very common.
When considering the signs and symptoms that may be present in post-natal depression, typically, the symptoms will persist for longer than 2 weeks and begin to impact your life significantly. Symptoms of PND typically develop 4-6 weeks postpartum, but they can actually start to develop at any point during the first year after birth.
The emotional signs of PND can be particularly distressing and include symptoms such as :- thoughts of self harm, being very tearful alot of the time, persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, feelings of detachment and difficulties in bonding with your baby, guilt over feeling like a ‘bad mother,’ feeling overwhelmed, feeling anxious and feeling hopeless.
In terms of physical symptoms, women suffering with PND also report feelings of excessive fatigue, a loss of appetite, cognitive fogginess, problems sleeping and no attending to their own self care.
It is extremely important to seek help if you are suffering with these symptoms and you suspect that you may be experiencing post natal depression. It’s easy to assume that everything is about the baby, but mums need taking care of too; this is so important.
In terms of treatment and support, talking therapies such as counselling are beneficial as are support groups and visits from your health visitor or midwife. Ig may be that a visit to the GP might be needed, for some antidepressants (breastfeeding mothers are able to safely take certain medications for depression). Also, reaching out to family and friends…they may not realise that you are struggling. Practical support and company can make all the difference, when you are a new mum.
You may like to consider reaching out to Homestart – www.homestart.org.uk.
Homestart are a UK based charity, who offer support to mums once a week, who are struggling.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07759 453339