Bringing home a baby is often described as one of the happiest times in life. For many parents, it’s also one of the most exhausting and emotionally complicated. When the tears and overwhelm don’t lift, it can be hard to know whether what you’re feeling is normal or something that needs more support.
The Baby Blues
Many birthing parents experience the “baby blues” in the first days after birth: tearfulness, mood swings, irritability and feeling overwhelmed. The baby blues are very common and usually ease on their own within about two weeks (O’Hara & McCabe, 2013). Rest, support and reassurance are often enough.
When It’s More Than the Blues
Postpartum depression and anxiety are different. They’re more intense, they last longer and they make daily life harder. About one in eight people experience depression during pregnancy or the year after birth (Woody et al., 2017).
Signs to watch for include:
Low mood, tearfulness or emptiness that lasts more than two weeks
Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
Constant worry, panic or racing thoughts
Unwanted, frightening thoughts about something bad happening to your baby
Feeling disconnected from your baby or partner
Trouble sleeping even when you have the chance
Feeling hopeless, guilty or like you’re failing
Partners and non-birthing parents can experience perinatal depression and anxiety too.
It’s Not Your Fault
Postpartum mental health concerns are caused by a mix of factors, including sleep loss, hormonal changes, stress, past mental health history and the level of support available. They are not a sign of weakness or of being a bad parent.
Treatment Works
Postpartum depression and anxiety are treatable. Psychological treatment has been shown to reduce symptoms of postpartum depression (Cuijpers et al., 2008), and some parents also benefit from medication. Your family doctor, midwife or public health nurse can help you consider the options. In Alberta, Health Link at 811 is available any time for health advice.
For more, see our posts on postpartum anxiety and normal adjustment and perinatal mental health myths.
References
Cuijpers, P., Brännmark, J. G., & van Straten, A. (2008). Psychological treatment of postpartum depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(1), 103-118.
O’Hara, M. W., & McCabe, J. E. (2013). Postpartum depression: Current status and future directions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 379-407.
Woody, C. A., Ferrari, A. J., Siskind, D. J., Whiteford, H. A., & Harris, M. G. (2017). A systematic review and meta-regression of the prevalence and incidence of perinatal depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 219, 86-92.
How Core Psychology Can Help
At Core Psychology, our clinicians offer perinatal counselling, anxiety therapy and individual therapy, in person in Marda Loop, Calgary, and online across Alberta.
We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to answer your questions and help you find the right fit. You can also reach us at info@corepsychology.com.
If you’re in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988 any time, or call 911. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or you feel unable to keep yourself or your baby safe, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional assessment or therapy.
