Bringing a new baby into the world is magical. Everyone talks about the good things, like hearing your baby laugh for the first time, or the connection a mom feels while breastfeeding. These experiences are beautiful.
However, not enough conversations are had around the stress and anxiety moms have after giving birth, or parents have after adopting. There are hormonal, physical, mental, and financial changes that happen, just to name a few. A body and mind goes through extreme changes during pregnancy. It is common for moms and dads to not feel that instant connection with their baby as soon as they are born. It’s not common to talk about. Does it make you a bad parent to feel postpartum blues, depression & anxiety, or OCD? Absolutely not. It makes you human. Some contributing factors can be hormonal shifts that affect the brain chemistry, stress factors, traumatic delivery, genetics, past history, and perfectionism
Postpartum Blues (PPB)
PPB happens in about 80% of women and it generally occurs in the first two to three weeks after giving birth. Some symptoms can include tearfulness or weepiness, irritability, mood swings, and anxiety. The symptoms are pretty mild and most importantly - temporary. PPB resolves without need for medical assistance and it is not a psychiatric disorder.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is the most common condition of the postnatal period. It can cause feelings of anger or irritability, lack of interest in the baby, changes in appetite or sleep, crying and sadness, feelings of guilt or shame, loss of interest, joy or pleasure, and possibly distressing thoughts of harming the baby or self.
Postpartum Anxiety
Anxiety can bring on constant worry, or the feeling that something bad is going to happen. It can cause racing thoughts which can disturb sleep and appetite. You might have a hard time sitting still. It can also show in physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, and nausea.
Postpartum OCD
Obsessions, or intrusive thoughts, are persistent, repetitive thoughts or mental images related to the baby. These thoughts are very upsetting and not something the mom has ever experienced before. Compulsions are where the mom might do certain things over and over to reduce the fears or obsessions. This may include feeling the need to clean compulsively, count over and over, or check things multiple times. There is a sense of fear about the obsessions. Moms often are too worried to be left alone with the infant and there is a hypervigilance in protecting the infant. Moms with postpartum OCD are unlikely to ever act on their thoughts because they know the thoughts are bizarre.
Postpartum PTSD
This involves the re-experiencing of a past traumatic event, which in this case might be the childbirth itself. Mom might have flashbacks or nightmares, have anxiety and panic attacks, and feel a sense of unreality and detachment. The mom will likely avoid stimuli associated with the event. This could include thoughts, feelings, people, places, and details of the event.
Postpartum Psychosis
Postpartum psychosis is extremely uncommon; it occurs in .1-.2% of all births. It is temporary and treatable, however it is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate professional help. Some symptoms could include delusions or strange beliefs, hallucinations, easily irritated, decreased need for or inability to sleep, paranoia, or rapid mood swings.
It goes without saying - sleep deprivation can worsen any of these symptoms. Talk to your partner or anyone you feel comfortable with.
Working together can help, and there are different options to balance out the sleep deprivation:
Splitting time - Parent 1 takes the first half of the night wakings and Parent 2 takes the second half.
Night on/night off - Both parents alternate the full nights.
Sleep training/Breastfeeding - One parent will do the night wakings and sleep training, while the other parent does the feedings.
It might feel like you’re doing all the wrong things when you experience these symptoms. Just remember, you are not alone and there are resources out there to help you.
Resources:
911 if your needs are urgent or you fear you may harm yourself or your baby.
OBGYN
Pediatrician
PCP
1-800-944-4773
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
National Postpartum Depression Hotline: 1-800-PPD-MOMS
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