Postpartum Blues - Why They Matter

Having a baby is a commonly joyful event, right? It can be, but for almost 50% of women, within a week of delivering their babe, they can be hit with some not so joyful feelings. These are known as the postpartum blues, and an estimated 7 out of 10 women downplay or hide their symptoms. We NEED to do better at supporting women through the postpartum period, and ensuring they know that there is no shame in asking for help.

What are the Postpartum blues?

Postpartum blues are common, and transient, meaning they typically occur within 2-3 days of delivering, peak over the next few days, and are gone within two weeks.

Symptoms look like mild depressive symptoms and may include:

• Sadness

• Crying

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Exhaustion

• Decreased concentration

Now if you are a new mama, and reading these symptoms, you might be thinking…well of COURSE I am exhausted and irritable, I am sleep deprived because I have a new babe at home! This is why it is important to be in close contact with your postpartum care provider during this time. They can help clarify whether or not the symptoms you are experiencing are typical of the new mom phase, or if it is something more.

Risk Factors

This list is of course, not exhaustive, but there is some research to support that those who have a history of or experience the following may have an increased risk of developing postpartum mood changes:

• History of mood changes premenstrually

• History of mood disruption or changes with oral contraceptive use

• Symptoms of depression prior to or during pregnancy

• Caesarian section delivery

• Not breastfeeding

• Family history of depression

Causes of Postpartum blues.

We don’t know exactly what causes postpartum blues, though there are some theories. Once you have a baby, there is a rapid change in your hormones, specifically note-able being a decrease in estrogen. This in turn can indirectly alter levels of some levels of neurotransmitters involved in maintaining a healthy mood, including serotonin. This could help explain the mood change, but again, we are not 100% sure why one mother may experience them over another.

Why do we care about them if they are transient?

So if they go away so quickly on their own, then why are we concerned about them? First off, it is challenging for a mama to care properly for herself and her baby while she is feeling that way, enforcing the need for tons of help and support in that first month (at least) postpartum.

Additionally, it is more common for a mama with postpartum blues to continue on to develop clinical postpartum anxiety and depression. This is why I am very thorough with my new mamas to ensure that their mood is being managed and that we are on top of any signs or symptoms that may indicate they are struggling. If postpartum blues are present, and lasting longer than two weeks, I highly recommend being in close contact with your postpartum healthcare provider for support.

So what do we do about them?

Typically, the postpartum blues will resolve on their own within two weeks. The biggest things we can do to support mamas during this time are:

• Ask her what she truly needs and how she is truly doing

• Support her emotionally

• Support her with household and other childcare tasks so they can rest

• Support her with physical tasks

• Ensure she is receiving enough nourishing food and staying hydrated

• Ensure she is getting as much sleep as she can, even if this means sleeping during the day either while the baby sleeps, or while someone else cares for the baby

• Recruit support for night time feedings if needed

• Ensure she is receiving breastfeeding support if needed

• Encourage her to reach out for professional support and stay in close contact with her postpartum care providers

Specifically if symptoms are lasting longer than 2 weeks, we need to make sure mamas are reaching out to their care providers to prevent the progression or worsening of these mood changes and concerns. As I mentioned before, there are many ways to support a new mamas mood, but the first step has to be acknowledgement that they are struggling and seeking that support.

By eliminating the shame and guilt around having these feelings, and removing the idea that a mama is ‘not competent’ or ‘not a good mama’ if she feels this way, is so important to encourage more women to seek support.

Lots of love to all of you mamas out there!

Dr. Ally, ND

REFERENCES

PMID 25455248

PMID 18573539

PMID 17011042