The exhilarating joy of bringing new life into the world can be equally matched by the physical and mental exhaustion that follows, potentially contributing to emotional disarray. Given the different emotions and possible conditions that can affect mothers postpartum, it is paramount for new mothers to discern between postpartum depression (PPD) and baby blues. While baby blues is not as discussed as postpartum depression, it affects around 80% of mothers. There are key differences in their symptomatology and management, and we hope to provide mothers with a transparent conversation regarding both. In this article, we aim to shed light on these conditions, discussing their differences, understanding the underlying biochemical changes, and suggesting methods to detect and manage them early. Our goal is to illuminate these hard-to-navigate emotions and stand by mothers as they traverse this path.
Signs of Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression
When it comes to postpartum experiences, timing indeed plays a crucial role in differentiating between the typical, yet sometimes distressing, Baby Blues, and the more severe condition known as Postpartum Depression.
Duration and Persistence
The persistence and duration of symptoms vary significantly between the baby blues and postpartum depression, thus it’s crucial for you to understand the differing natures of these two conditions:
- Baby Blues: The baby blues, while intense, are usually temporary and fleeting in nature. These feelings resolve swiftly on their own, typically within a week or two after delivery, as you adjust to the new routine and hormone levels stabilize. Thus, they necessitate minimal intervention, getting better with rest, self-care and simple reassurances.
- Postpartum Depression: Unlike the baby blues, postpartum depression endures well beyond the initial post-childbirth days. It’s persistent, lasting anywhere from weeks to months, and requires more targeted help. Itʼs crucial to ask for professional help and social support to address and resolve PPD, as it doesn’t just dissipate on its own. If youʼre having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, please reach out to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline for help. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Emotional Impact
The emotional impact of both baby blues and postpartum depression can be substantial, but again, there are distinctive differences between the two:
- Baby Blues: The baby blues often feature emotional swings, the moods ranging from joy one moment to anxiety the next, irritability, and a tendency to tear up over seemingly minor things. Despite the shifting moods, the general emotional state during this period changes quickly, in comparison to PPD, where negative feelings are more consistently low.
- Postpartum Depression (PPD): With postpartum depression, the emotional impact is far more profound and daunting. The emotional symptoms are persistent, characterized by deep-seated feelings of sadness, hopelessness or emptiness, and a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Other symptoms include sleep and appetite disturbances, lack of interest in the baby, feelings of anger, and irritability. Living through PPD feels like being in a state of constant emotional flatline rather than an emotional rollercoaster.
Postpartum Emotional Health: Physical and Biochemical Changes
There are many factors, both physical and biochemical that can lead to feelings of baby blues. When you take a look at the levels of certain hormones such as estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, they are found in levels nearly 10x as high as those pre-pregnancy. After giving birth, the levels quickly drop to pre- pregnancy levels, and this abrupt drop, paired with the lack of sleep and the physical stress of bringing a new life into the world, can contribute to the feelings associated with baby blues. Inspired by this hormonal shift, we have crafted the Blues Away® mood support supplement, in order to combat some of the feelings associated with baby blues, so that mothers can experience a joyful postpartum period.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to postpartum depression, further differentiating it from postpartum blues. Some external factors that may put mothers at a higher risk of postpartum depression are:
- A history of depression in the mother or motherʼs family
- Being a mother of multiples
- Infertility treatment
- Pregnancy complications
- A lack of support network
- Relationship conflicts
Scientists are still studying why some moms experience postpartum depression on a biochemical level. While itʼs believed that hormonal drops might play a role, about 15% of women are significantly affected, and itʼs not precisely known why.
Detection and Management of Postpartum Blues and Postpartum Depression
Navigating postpartum emotions is challenging, but both baby blues and postpartum depression can be managed, albeit in different ways. It is important to speak up if you are not feeling like yourself or experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article. Furthermore, ensuring a support network, speaking with doctors, and engaging in proactive self-care can help make sure youʼre taking care of yourself and your baby. For postpartum blues, the feelings will subside on their own after a couple of weeks, but postpartum depression requires help and treatment from a mental health professional. There are a variety of therapies and medications available for mothers, tailored to whatever best fits your needs. If you or someone you love is dealing with symptoms of postpartum depression, make sure to reach out to a healthcare professional right away, or to this hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).