Every woman is different. There is no one correct way to feel after you have had a baby.
You may have heard about postpartum blues or postpartum depression. Some women experience this and some don’t.
You may feel elated after birth and the days that follow, especially if you had a good birth experience.
But you may also find yourself sore, tired, in pain, or somewhat overwhelmed. And sometimes, women alternate between elation and depression.
It is very common for women to have a sense of letdown around the third day postpartum. This is probably fueled by the rapid hormonal changes occurring in your body.
You may notice that your emotions are subject to rapid ups and downs. Little things that normally would not bother you may leave you in tears. Also, fatigue and any physical discomfort may play a role, and the realities of having a newborn may also be starting to catch up with you.
Postpartum Depression vs. the Postpartum Blues...
At Tree of Life we believe in education and support to develop a plan that incorporates as many treatment options as possible. From nutrition, supplements, herbs, counseling, and medications we want you to know you are not alone, you will get better!
What are the postpartum blues?
Postpartum Blues occur in the first week following the birth. You are weepy and cry for no reason....happy things, stupid things, you just weep tears. This is due to the huge hormonal drop of estrogen and rise in prolactin when the placenta detaches and tells the body to start making milk.
What is the difference between Postpartum Blues and Postpartum Mood Disorders?
The biggest difference is the postpartum mood disorders linger beyond the first 2 weeks. The first week in intense! Intensely wonderful, intensely exhausting....intense. But after the first two weeks things should peak out and begin to normalize- the new normal.
When depression or anxiety intensify or don't alleviate after the first two weeks we know that it is turning into a postpartum mood disorder. This can be either anxiety or depression or both.
More than just a transient case of the blues, postpartum depression can be a very serious problem for some women. It may not show up for several weeks after birth. It is actually fairly common, occurring in some degree in 10 to 20% of mothers.
One of the most important things to understand about postpartum depression is to know that it has nothing to do with your love for your baby or your desire to be a mother.
Because many mothers believe that postpartum depression reflects badly on them as mothers and people, many women do not admit their distress and fail to get help.
It is nothing to be ashamed of. You did nothing wrong and you need not be ashamed of hw you feel. There is help and you can get better. You just need to reach out for help.
Our Clinic Treatment Protocol for Postpartum Depression
At Tree of Life we have a specific Postpartum Mood Disorder Plan of Care that incorporates supplements, counseling, and follow-up for when medication is necessary. There are medications you can take while breastfeeding and often only need to be utilized for 4 to 6 months. You do not need to suffer in silence!
Self-Help Treatment for Postpartum Depression
IMPORTANT
Be sure to see your midwife or other health care provider. There may be physical problems contributing to your depression, and your practitioner can help you find support groups or refer you for counseling or other help if needed.
Dr Kaleen Richards, CNM
Dr Richards has a personal story of struggles with Perinatal Mood Disorders. This motivated her to not only find alternative solutions to mood disorders, but to stay up to date with evidence based research and approaches to helping persons struggling with perinatal mood disorders. Trained by Postpartum Support International in 2015, Dr Richards understands how challenging mood disorders in preganancy and after can be for the whole family.