After delivery, it is common to experience emotional highs and lows for the first couple of weeks after giving birth. New parents should know that this is entirely normal as your hormones are once again “all over the place!”
The feelings can vary in intensity depending on the situation and the person that you are. Some folks experience the baby blues which are typically crying spells, anxiety, loss of patience, feeling of overwhelm, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings. The baby blues are a product of drastic drops in estrogen and progesterone levels that happen post-delivery. The feeling has been compared to PMS, and 70-80% of people have reported experiencing these feelings postpartum.
For some, the baby blues come and go, while others experience postpartum depression, a mental health disorder that affects 10% of women after birth, lasts significantly longer than baby blues, and includes symptoms which are more severe.
Why Does Postpartum Depression Occur?
Postpartum depression can be triggered by:
- Existing depression
- Hereditary depression
- Relationship issues
- Stressful life events
- Financial hardships
- Difficulty breastfeeding
- Being a single parent
- Having multiple babies
- Having a difficult pregnancy
- If baby is experiencing an illness
- If the pregnancy was unwanted
- Lack of support
- Anything causing you significant stress
Signs of Postpartum Depression
If you have experienced one or more of these postpartum depression triggers, it is best to know the symptoms so that you can get help as soon as possible.
- Mood swings
- Extreme fatigue
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Trouble focusing
- Severe anxiety
- Feeling disconnected from your body
- Over or under sleeping
- Over or under eating
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of interest in caring for baby
- Thinking of self-harm or hurting your baby
- Suicidal thoughts
Getting Ahead of Postpartum Depression
If you’ve ever experienced depression, you know you may have good days and bad days. In conjunction with proper medical care, the right support system is necessary for your mental health. Birthify offers the support you need to ease your troubled mind. We offer support for new parents by creating a relationship centered around the health and wellness of you and your new baby. You can expect a loving and compassionate birth coach not only to answer your questions but offer care and support during this challenging season of life.
Birthify is unique in that you have the option to keep your coach even after your baby has been born. We think having one trusted coach throughout your birth and postpartum experience is best. Getting ahead of your postpartum depression means being proactive before it happens. Set yourself up for success by booking a Birthify coach today!