For the pdf version, click here.

The birth of a baby usually brings feelings of joy and new beginnings, but it can also be a time of great stress. This is to be expected. Having a baby is a life-changing event that often leads to huge lifestyle changes for a new mother and her family.

New moms often experience a wide range of emotions during the early weeks after birth. These include feeling sad, anxious, afraid, or confused. These feelings are called the “Baby Blues” and often go away quickly.

Baby Blues:
• Affects up to 70% of new moms
• Occurs within the first 3 to 5 days after birth
• Usually goes away within 1 to 2 weeks.

During the first few weeks, it is important for all new moms to try to:
• Rest when your baby sleeps
• Ask for and accept help
• Say no to demands of others
• Take one day at a time
• Limit your visitors
• Take some time for yourself
• Talk to someone who can reassure you.

When the Baby Blues do not go away or get worse, a mom may be experiencing a more serious type of postpartum mood disorder (PPMD) which requires medical attention.

Who is at risk?

Any new mother can develop a postpartum mood disorder. The cause of this condition is not known. However, there are some factors that increase a mother’s risk:

• Depression during pregnancy
• Previous postpartum mood disorder
• Previous mental health issue
• Family history of postpartum mood disorder or mental health issue
• Lack of help or support
• High stress level
• Tendency to worry
• Lack of financial resources
• Previous miscarriage(s) or infertility
• Unexpected or difficult birth experience
• High expectations of birth and motherhood
• Severe premenstrual syndrome.

Symptom Checklist for New Moms and their Partners

Read through the list below and check off any symptoms that you have been experiencing. Ask your partner to complete this checklist as well. Bring this checklist to your family physician or health care provider.

_ Bouts of crying
_ Sadness
_ Irritability
_ Frustration
_ Tiredness
_ Difficulty concentrating
_ Difficulty sleeping
_ Feelings of being overwhelmed
_ Anxiety
_ Changes in appetite
_ Lack of feelings for baby
_ Panic attacks
_ Obsessive thoughts
_ Racing thoughts
_ Strange behaviour*
_ Fear or thoughts of hurting yourself or the baby*
_ “Out of control” feelings*
_ Having hallucinations *
_ Paranoia*
_ Problems with reality*

*Important: These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
 

TYPES OF PPMD

Postpartum Depression
• Affects 10% to 15% of new moms
• May start suddenly or slowly
• It can occur within three weeks of delivery and up to one year after the birth of your baby
• Requires medical attention.

Symptoms
• More intense and longer-lasting symptoms than the “blues”
• Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
• Changes in appetite
• Having no positive feelings about your baby
• Fearing that you might hurt yourself or your baby
• Feeling “out of control”.

Postpartum Psychosis
• Occurs in one to two births per 1000
• Least common mood disorder but most serious
• Onset of symptoms is sudden (in most cases within the first two weeks after the baby is born, but in many cases it occurs in only two to three days after the baby is born)
• Requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms
Symptoms fluctuate between extreme depressed or elated mood (mania).
• Feeling paranoid
• Difficulty sleeping
• Having hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not really there).

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Get help! Talk to someone about how you are feeling. Delaying treatment can delay recovery.
• Take care of yourself. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps, eat a healthy diet, and try  to be as physically active as possible.
• Accept your feelings. It is normal to sometimes feel down. You are adjusting to your baby.
• Take breaks. Take time to be by yourself and do something that is relaxing, like taking a bath, reading a magazine, or going for a walk.
• Ask for support. It is okay to have help in taking care of your baby and you. Choose someone who is patient and caring.
• Get counselling. There are many professionals who can help you cope with your feelings.
• Consider medication. Talk with you doctor about which medication may be right for you. You can continue to breastfeed while taking certain medications.
• Be patient. Remember, it takes time to recover.
• Delay major decisions. Wait until you are feeling better so you can concentrate on finding solutions to problems.
 

Where to get help

It is very important to get treatment because postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis not only affects the mother, but the whole family as well. These conditions may affect how mom and baby interact with each other, may cause behavioural problems in older children, and may cause or increase relationship problems between parents.

Talk with your family doctor, healthcare provider, or a public health nurse if your symptoms last more than 2 weeks.

Seek emergency help:
• If you feel you may harm yourself or your baby, or
• If you think you are experiencing hallucinations or paranoia.

Call:
• 9-1-1: telephone number to report an emergency situation
• Hospital Emergency Room

A combination of support, medication, and professional counselling is often the most effective method of treatment.

Key References:

Ross, L. E., Dennis, C-L., Blackmore, E. R., & Stewart, D. E. (2005). Postpartum depression: A guide for front-line health and social service providers. Toronto, Canada: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2005). Depression during and after pregnancy. Retreived October 14, 2005, from www.4woman.gov/faq/postpartum.htm