Having a baby is a marvellous experience, until the moment you realise nothing feels what it seems. Hormonal changes are a regular occurrence in your body during pregnancy and that can also affect your mental stability, even with the proper care by a physician.
After giving birth you might experience what we call ‘the baby blues’.
The Baby Blues
It doesn’t matter the amount of love you feel for your child, postpartum depression can affect you. The baby blues have no time of arrival but it all happens after you give birth. A lot of new mums find themselves feeling weepy and irritable and not knowing why. But if it happens to you, don’t worry, most new mums go through it.
This is not terminal and you can get help for this. Check with your doctor if the symptoms persist.
Signs you might be experiencing postnatal depression
- Frequent sadness and low mood
- Loss of interest in activities you used to find pleasurable
- Having difficulty in bonding with your child
- Lack of energy
- Loss of sleep
- Tired during the day
- Concentration problems
How can I prevent or cure the baby blues?
There isn’t much you can do about it but some activities can help like
- Talking about it
- Home visits by professionals
- Psychotherapy
- A net of support from your family/friends
Is normal that you feel under the weather, emotionally. The experience of being a mother while taking care of a child and taking care of yourself can be overwhelming. The good news is that this is not a permanent situation.
How to help your partner experiencing ‘the baby blues’
You might find living with your partner or seeing her depressed hard, sad and frustrated. Try to never blame them or be judgemental. Instead, try to support them and listen. That way you understand a bit more what they’re going through.
Perhaps the most important thing to recognise is that someone suffering from depression may need encouragement to seek help, and support to get it. You can also reassure them that they will feel better, in time.
The best way to help is to always be available. New mothers might be too overwhelmed with their chores or their hormones are off the hook. The best way to help is to be available whenever she needs.
Also, do some research. Most of the information is one Google search away. That way you’d be able to understand better what she is going through.
Stay calm and don’t get overwhelmed with her emotions. She might be a sea of it or nothing at all. People trying to help new mums shouldn’t take personally what she might say in a moment of sadness, or if she doesn’t want to respond at all.
Reassurance, support, a helping hand… that’s all a new mother needs when she has the baby blues.
Where and when to seek help
Most mothers experience some kind of baby blues after giving birth, the important thing is that it doesn’t escalate to where the mother feels too bad and can be dangerous. In the case she needs help, in sight of the severity of her symptoms, the GP, health visitor and/or midwife can be of help in this matter.
Online you can check for several official sources of help. Remember, this is not permanent and you can seek help.