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Baby blues and postpartum depression

Pregnancy symptoms

Baby blues and postpartum depression

The birth of a baby can trigger powerful emotions, excitement, joy, or fear. It can also result in depression. The level of depression can be diagnosed from light and short, also called baby blues, to more severe and long-lasting, which are postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.

Baby Blues
Most new moms experience postpartum “baby blues” after childbirth. It typically begins within the first two to three days after delivery and may last for up to two weeks. Signs of baby blues may include:

How to cope with baby blues?
Here are some things that you can do right away when you are home with your new baby if you are experiencing the baby blues.

Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is a more severe, long-lasting form of depression and may interfere with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. Symptoms often develop within the first few weeks after giving birth and may include:

New fathers may have the same symptoms you have. Fathers who are most at risk of postpartum depression are young, having or used to have relationships or financial problems.

Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is an extreme mood disorder, a rare condition that typically develops within the first week after delivery.

The signs and symptoms may include:

When to get medical help?
If you experience any symptoms of postpartum baby blues or depression, call your doctor and speak to your family as soon as possible. Especially if the signs and symptoms have any of these features:

Mothers should not be afraid to not only ask for help but to accept help.

Verified:

Dr. Wanwadee Sapmee Panyakat (OB-GYN) (3 February 2020)

Sources:

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