Coping with postpartum blues and depression
Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, Sanur, Bali, drdonya@hotmail.com
Many new mothers experience a mild form of depression which is sometimes called the "Baby Blues".
Mothers who suffer from depression have been known to have negative thoughts about their baby. A result of those thoughts is they begin to believe that they are not good mothers.
All mothers can be comforted to know that the baby blues is very common and considered normal.
Remember all babies are born with different personalities, some coo and smile the whole day, not causing much disruption at all to a family pre-baby lifestyle. Others who are very sensitive can never seem to get enough love and attention. It is not unusual for a sensitive baby or any baby for that matter to want to spend much of the day and night in his mom's arms.
As a new mother, it can be difficult to keep giving of yourself 24 hours a day and it can be even more trying to be the mother of a high-need baby, but it can also (over time) be very rewarding.
Postpartum blues usually begins one or two days after delivery and can last up to three weeks. During this time you may have feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety and irritability.
Some women might be frustrated to find that they have difficulty coping with things that were easily managed before delivery, without the baby blues and with a full night's sleep.
Lack of energy and an inability to sleep can make minor problems seem much more serious than they really are.
The birth of a baby is a powerful, exciting, joyful and frightening event. Mothers can be surprised and confused by the many emotions they experience.
You may now feel incompetent and overwhelmed with your new responsibilities. You may also experience episodes of uncontrollable tearfulness and wide mood swings. One minute you may feel incredibly happy, and the next, anxious and tearful.
Be patient with yourself as you make this transition and give yourself credit for how well you are doing. In addition to accepting mild depression as a normal part of childbirth, you need to take special care of yourself by getting adequate rest, eat a nutritious diet, exercise in moderation and have a social support system.
Listen and respond to your body's cues for rest. Try to nap during the day when your baby sleeps. Adequate rest has a significant impact on your emotional and physical well-being.
Babies need well-rested parents to care for them. You'll know you need more rest when you perceive small issues or conflicts as insurmountable events.
Accepting assistance from others is sometimes difficult, but you may need to do so to maintain a positive and realistic emotional perspective.
Good nutrition helps your body recover from childbirth. A few small meals a day may be more manageable than three larger meals. Choose healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, to assist with weight control.
Light exercise can also be helpful. Take a brisk, 30-minute walk three times a week, walking at a pace that slightly elevates your heart rate. You may enjoy your walk more if you take your baby along in a baby carrier.
Stretching and flexing as you play with and talk to your baby will help tone your muscles. Your mood may improve as your body starts feeling better.
As with pregnancy and delivery, a strong social support system will continue to be valuable. The fatigue, emotional upheaval and interruptions a new baby brings can strain even the best of relationships.
After your baby's birth, your partner may feel left out since your energies are focused on caring for your baby.
Another normal part of the recovery process is to relive the birth by sharing your childbirth experience with others. Having family and friends who truly listen and accept your feelings can greatly lessen your symptoms.