Elated one minute, depressed the next is one common scenario observable in mothers who recently delivered a baby. Women manifest mood swings or “baby blues” in the few days after childbirth. It is an identified psychological postpartum complication in new mothers. According to BC Reproductive Mental Health Program (2011), eighty percent (80 %) of women report to be experiencing postpartum blues within 3-5 days after giving birth. During this time frame, rapid mood swings, feeling of helplessness, disturbed sleep pattern or difficulty to sleep, and crying for no reason are common signs which are considered normal on women having the postpartum blues. This is a transient phenomenon which self-resolves within 10-14 days with no medical intervention required (Rai, S., Pathak, A., & Sharma, I., 2015). Although its etiology remains unidentified to date, biochemical, psychological, social and, cultural factors are not excluded as contributors to this condition. …show more content…
It is defined as baby blues lasting longer than two weeks or could even manifest weeks or months after childbirth (BC Reproductive Mental Health Program, 2011). Ten to eleven percent of postpartum women develop a more serious condition of either depression or anxiety or both (MGH Center for Women’s Mental Health, 2015). This is considered as a mental health issue which could include other conditions like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and psychosis according to Howard, L. M., Molyneaux, E., Dennis, C., Rochat, T., Stein, A., & Milgrom, J.
Postpartum depression is one of the most common complications of childbearing with an estimated prevalence of 19.2% in the first three months after delivery (1). Depressive episodes (major and mild) may be experienced by approximately half of women during the first postpartum year (1). Characterized by depressed mood, loss of pleasure or interest in daily activities, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, irritability, sleep and eating disturbances (2), its etiology is multi-faceted and complex (3;4).
Baby Blues, the most common and mildest form of mood disorder can last up to two weeks after having a baby without the mother needing treatment.
The postpartum period is about going through change and transition from a woman to a new mother. This is a time where mothers restore muscle tone and connective tissue in the body after the birth of the baby. Although there is a dramatic change during the postpartum period, women’s body is nonetheless not fully stored to pre-pregnant physiology until about 6 months post-delivery (Osailan, 6). At this time, women need to receive special health and social support to prevent problems such as postpartum depression. During this period, culture plays a major role in the way a woman perceives and prepares for her birthing experience. In fact, the notions of birth and postnatal care vary considerably with cultural beliefs and traditional practices. Each culture has its own values, beliefs and practices related to pregnancy and birth (Osailan,1). In the United States, after a short hospital stay, moms and babies are sent home because it is expected for mothers to heal within 42 days after giving birth. Whereas in other societies like Mexico, the postpartum recovery is active long enough until the new mother is fully healed (Brenhouse). In the article, “Why Are America’s Postpartum Practices So Rough on New Mothers?” by Hilary Brenhouse, the author states, “With these rituals comes an acknowledgment, familial and federal, that the woman needs relief more at this time than at any other—especially if she has a career to return to—and that it takes weeks, sometimes months, to properly
Postpartum psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, has become the most underdiagnosed complication in the United States. It can lead to increased costs of medical care, inappropriate medical care, child abuse and neglect, discontinuation of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction and adversely affects early brain development (Earls, 2010). Over 400,000 infants are born to mothers that are depressed. One of 7 new mothers (14.5%) experience depressive episodes that impair maternal role function. An episode of major or minor depression that occurs during pregnancy or the first 12 months after birth is called perinatal or postpartum depression (Wisner, Chambers & Sit, 2006). Mothers with postpartum depression experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may make it difficult for them to complete daily care activities for themselves or for others (Postpartum Depression). The six stages of postpartum are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance and PTSD. These stages may affect any women regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or economic status. However only a physician can diagnose a woman with postpartum depression. It does not occur because of something a mother does or does not do, it’s a combination of physical and emotional factors. After childbirth, the levels of hormones in a woman’s body quickly drop; which may lead to chemical changes in her brain (Postpartum Depression). Unbalanced hormones may trigger mood swings.
In summary, postpartum depression is the most widespread complication of childbirth, and the lack of diagnosis in postpartum depression cases results in the deterioration of their conditions. Deterioration arises in the form of progression stages of postpartum depression, and it varies from a case to another. Thus, preventive measures ought to be taken by detecting the onset of postpartum depression and providing early treatment. Also, the implications drawn from the aforementioned details may aid mental healthcare providers in the pursuit of better treatment
The birthing process generally leaves women with overwhelming joy and happiness. However, some women do experience a period of postpartum blues lasting for a few days or at most a couple of weeks but goes away with the adjustment of having a baby (Postpartum Depression, 2013). A condition called Postpartum Depression Disorder (PPD) leaves a dark gray cloud over 10-20% of woman after birth that is recognized in individuals 3 weeks to a year after the delivery of their baby (Bobo & Yawn, 2014). PPD leaves new mothers feeling lonely, anxious, and hopeless (Bobo at el, 2014). Postpartum Depression is a cross cutting disorder that can affect any woman after the delivery of a baby regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, or education level (Postpartum Depression, 2013). Although this disorder affects more than 10% of women the article Concise Review for Physicians and Other Clinicians: Postpartum Depression reports that less than half of women with PPD are actually diagnosed with this condition (Bobo at el, 2014). It is important that postpartum women and their support systems receive education on what PPD consist of and ways to recognize the signs and symptoms of PPD so that a diagnosis is not overlooked. Early diagnosis is important because early recognition and treatment of the disorder yields for better results when treating individuals with PPD. In this paper I will deliver information about PPD based on recent literature,
Despite the physical changes that a woman is to expect during her pregnancy, a major concern that requires attention is a period of expected feelings of depression that a woman may encounter known as baby blues. Although normal, and expected baby blues can lead into post partum depression that involves a myriad of emotions and mood swings. If not addressed postpartum depression can lead to a more severe form of baby blues known in the clinical world as postpartum non-psychotic depression that requires professional intervention. The therapeutic goal during this time is to prevent the new mother from committing suicide where she poses a danger to both herself and her newborn.
This level is more draining and longer lasting than the ‘blues’ and is characterized by hopelessness, tearfulness and more intense feelings of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety and fatigue (Postpartum, 2017). Women may experience physical symptoms such as headaches and rapid heart rate. Also, may feel the lack of feeling for the baby is of special concern (Postpartum, 2017). These symptoms can appear any time during the first few months to one year after the birth (Postpartum, 2017). Also, following childbirth, postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is triggered by trauma during the time leading up to, during, and/ or shortly afterwards delivery. The trauma leads the women feeling that either her life or the life of her baby is at risk (Postpartum,
There is a difference between baby blues and postpartum depression. Baby blues are periods of mood swings, crying, or feeling cranky or restless for a short length of time and happen a week or two after having a baby. Postpartum depression is when these symptoms continue for more than two weeks, becoming more severe and manifesting in psychological and physical symptoms. These symptoms include feelings of anxiety or fear, thoughts of hurting the baby, thoughts of suicide, rapid breathing and heart rate, hot or cold flashes, chest pain, and tremors or dizziness. Some risk factors that have been identified to increase a woman’s risk of postpartum depression are previous experiences of depression, stress and lack of social support. Psychological
A woman’s body goes through many changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. Women can experience “postpartum baby blues” a few days after they deliver. During the postpartum baby blues, mothers may experience “depression, fatigue, insomnia, headache, anxiety, sadness, and anger” (Lowdermilk, Perry & Cashion, 2014). If the symptoms do not subside in a few weeks post-delivery, a mother may be diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). The estimated prevalence of mother experiencing postpartum depression is around 10-15% (Lowdermilk et al., 2014). Postpartum depression can affect a woman’s everyday life and how she responds to having a new baby in her life. She may not feel as though she can take care of her baby which can become a problem.
Baby blues is something a new mother might suffer in the early days after giving birth and is quite common therefore regarded as normal. Symptoms can include feeling very emotional and likely to burst into tears for no obvious reason or for something trivial. You may suffer difficulty sleeping and a loss of appetite. You may also be feeling anxious, sad, guilty or afraid that you are not a good mother.
Consequently, the treatment for postpartum depression is more intense than that for the baby blues. Among the many treatments, many mothers undergo intense counseling, take antidepressants, or even experience hormone therapy ((3)).
Baby Blues: A Concept Analysis It is a common observation that women are often weepy and irrational in the days after delivering a new baby. It is obvious to most mothers and perinatal nurses that few mothers escape the transition with no scars from the early days of parenting. This paper aims to clearly define the concept of “baby blues” and differentiate the condition from other postnatal mood disorders, specifically postpartum depression. Baby blues is defined as the feelings of sadness a new mother might have in the few days following giving birth (March of Dimes, 2017). Using the Walker and Avant model for concept analysis (McEwan & Will, 2014), the phenomenon of baby blues will be explored.
Postpartum Depression is a mental health issue that affects many women when they deliver their baby (Leger et al., 2015). Postpartum depression can be stopped when mothers notice the beginning symptoms called Baby Blues (Tam et al., 2001). Baby blues are usually shown on the third or fourth day of having your child (Tam et al., 2001). Some of the symptoms with Baby blues include feeling slight weepiness, short temper, and in a depressed mood
Childbirth is supposed to be a wonderfully, miraculous, and joyful occasion for everyone involved. Mothers will often hear stories of how elated they will become when they see their newborn that they will completely forget about the tremendous pain they just endured for hours. For some mothers, this feeling never happens. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than three million cases of Postpartum depression occur in the United States alone (mayoclinic.org). Some moms will experience the “baby blues” after childbirth, these symptoms can cause anxiety, mood swings, unexpected crying spells, and insomnia, and can be expected due to the changes in hormones. However, some moms will experience a more longer lasting form of the “baby blues” this is